Sunnydown is a Surrey Local Authority special school for approx 90 secondary aged boys (11-16 years). All of our pupils have a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

Sunnydown school is a truly life-changing educational establishment: transforming the lives of our students as well as their families. The positive atmosphere and feeling of encouragement underpins the ethos of all that we aspire to do each day.

This warmth is felt on entry to our school, our 1850’s main building, and flows into our newest developments such as our Forest View classroom, Food Technology building and dining room.   

We are fortunate to be a specialist school catering for young men in KS3 and KS4. All students have an EHC Plan which identifies Communication and Interaction needs as a primary need, often associated with Autism. The young men who attend are academically able, with many obtaining GCSEs in English, Maths, Science and other subjects above a grade 4. Specialist support is in place for those who find learning more challenging. All of our young men are exceptionally well behaved, and engage in and are responsible for their own active learning.

Sunnydown school is truly a unique place to learn and work; the progress made by our young men, both socially and academically, is nothing short of exceptional , a result of the mutually respectful relationships between students and staff, and supported by the strength of support from our students’ families at home. In essence, our success is our young men themselves, whose developing resilience and emerging belief in their own abilities sees them encouraged, enabled and empowered for a successful life beyond Sunnydown.

Mr Richard Woolley BA Hons, MA (Ed), QTS, AST, NPQH

Headteacher

Mr Woolley is a values-led education leader with over 25 years' experience in schools, including more than 17 years in senior leadership roles across mainstream, Church of England and specialist autism and SEMH settings. Throughout his career, he has led schools and provisions where young people with complex needs feel safe and supported to achieve their very best. His approach combines high expectations with excellent safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and an ambitious, engaging curriculum, creating calm and nuturing environments in which students can thrive.

Mr Woolley is proud to lead Sunnydown School and shares its commitment to helping autistic boys grow in confidence, develop independence and prepare for life beyond school. He believes that when students are known and valued, they flourish, and he works closely with staff, families and governors to ensure that every young person at Sunnydown feels supported, challenged and celebrated as part of the school community.

Mr Jez Lord BSc Hons, PGCE,

Deputy Head

Mr Lord started his teaching career in Physical Education before becoming a head of sixth form in Middlesex, then moving to Sunnydown. Here, his experience of mainstream education has been invaluable in his role handling the day-to-day running of the school. As a father of boys, an under-8s football team coach, and as one of three boys himself, working with the pupils at Sunnydown comes as second nature.

Mrs Jo Wermig M.Ed, BA (Hons), PGCE, NASENCO,

Deputy Head

Mrs Wermig joined Sunnydown in the summer term 2022. She has lived in the area most of her life and has mainly taught in London and Surrey. Having taught in both single-sexed and mixed schools and being a mother to four sons, it has given her a wealth of experience she hopes to bring to life at Sunnydown. She has over 25 years teaching experience both in primary and secondary schools and just over 15 years as a member of SLT, having previously held Headship roles. Her interest and passion in SEN and nuturing the needs of each individual with a variety of learning differences has grown over the years and has eventually led her to Sunnydown. She is so pleased to be part of the vibrant community and to share in the learning journeys of all our students. When she is not busy at school or at home, she likes to relax by spending time with close friends and family.

Mr Ben Wright

Assistant Head teacher

Mrs Helen Gower,

School Business Manager

Mrs Gower has worked at Sunnydown since 2019 and became the School Business Manager in November 2021. Helen has extensive experience in Finance and Risk Management within the banking and financial institutions sector where she spent 14 years working as an Associate Director of Credit and Senior Analyst. Helen has a passion for films and in her down time enjoys baking, with her speciality being a lemon drizzle.