Welcome to Ashley Park School!
As the Headteacher of Ashley Park School, I am delighted to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all our students, parents, and guardians. Our school is not just a place of learning; it is a vibrant and nurturing community where every child is at the heart of everything we do.
At Ashley Park School, we uphold the values of ambition, collaboration, and trust, which guide our educational approach. We believe in providing a child-centred education that recognises the unique abilities and potential of each and every student. We understand that every child is different, and we are committed to tailoring our approach to meet their individual needs. Our dedicated and passionate staff work tirelessly to ensure that every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
We are ambitious for our students and have high expectations of their achievements. We believe that every child is unique, and we are committed to helping them to fulfil their talents and realise their capability. Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire. We take pride in the accomplishments of our students and celebrate their every success, no matter how big or small.
Building relationships of trust is fundamental to our ethos. We understand that education is a partnership between the school, parents, and the wider community. We actively encourage open communication, collaboration, and mutual respect among all stakeholders. Our doors are always open, and we value your input and feedback as we work together to provide the best possible educational experience for your child.
In alignment with our core values, we place great importance on fostering independence among our students and we strive to nurture confident and responsible young people who can make informed choices. Through our carefully crafted curriculum and teaching strategies, we equip our students with the skills they need to navigate the challenges of the world beyond our school gates.
I am excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities that await our students at Ashley Park School. Together, we will create an environment where learning is a joy, independence is celebrated, and success is achieved. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you as we embark on this incredible educational adventure together.
Thank you for choosing Ashley Park School for your child’s education. Let’s make this a memorable and fulfilling journey for every student.
Monika Hosker, Headteacher
Monika Hosker – Headteacher
Ruth Bodley – Deputy Headteacher
Ruth joined Ashley Park in January 2024, a term after opening. She has 23 years experience in education as a teacher and has held the position of Deputy Head in a range of different settings. She has led on curriculum development and has taken a leading role in training new teachers across different schools. Very early in her career, Ruth realised that her passion was in supporting students with SEND. As a qualified SENCo, Ruth has been responsible for leading SEND provision in mainstream schools, within different Local Authorities, for over 15 years. She has also worked with Oxfordshire Local Authority as a leading teacher for Mathematics. At Ashley Park, Ruth is responsible for leading Teaching and Learning, including the development of curriculum. She holds the role of SENCo and is a part of the school safeguarding team. Ruth is passionate about building positive relationships with students and developing a curriculum which meets their interests and skills.
Denise Heffernan – Assistant Headteacher
Denise has over 32 years’ experience of working with Autistic children in a range of SEN schools and colleges. Denise gained her teaching qualification whilst working at an SLD school for 12 years with children aged 11-19 with a range of complex needs. During this time Denise worked with staff to organise a range of residential trips. Her next role took her to Brooklands College for 7 years where she opened a programme for SLD students supporting them to access a range of courses for students aged 16-25. During this time, she was also responsible for the virtual learning platform for the supported learning unit arranged and carried out numerous residential trips whilst being responsible for the transition of students from college to the next stage of their journey. Her next role took her to a residential school where she was a Senior Teacher responsible the curriculum for Key Stage 3,4 & 5. During the 10 years Denise worked there she was promoted to Assistant Head Teacher and was responsible for the day to day running of the school. Just before joining Ashley Park Denise worked as Head of Secondary & 6th Form in a school for students with complex needs. Denise joined Ashley Park School in September 2023 as an Assistant Head Teacher. She is the designated Safeguarding Lead, responsible for Careers, Educational Visits, Behaviour and Pastoral support as well as student welfare, medication and supporting families with meetings.