Phimfinch provides education and emotional mentoring for young people that have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for those with special educational needs and those with social, emotional and mental health needs.
We do this by providing alternative learning pathways to achieve success by breaking down barriers to education and training through a holistic approach.
Our ethos is to provide wrap-around support with other agencies for families in need.
Shona Phimister
BA hons HPQH
Hello, I'm Shona Phimister, a dedicated professional with over 14 years of experience in Alternative Provision. Throughout my diverse career, I have assumed various roles, evolving from a learning mentor and coordinator to a teacher and Curriculum Manager, overseeing the development and implementation of innovative educational programs.
In January 2022, I achieved the National Qualification of Headship, marking a significant milestone in my journey. As a testament to my commitment, I am now embarking on the establishment of my own provision, specialising in serving young individuals who do not conform to the traditional education model. My vision is to create a holistic setting with a creative curriculum that fosters confidence while ensuring academic success.
My personal journey with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder has given me profound insights into the challenges faced by individuals in traditional classroom settings. This unique perspective has influenced my vocational pathway and played a pivotal role in my success as a senior leader.
In my role as a senior leader, I have amassed extensive experience in various domains, including policy and curriculum writing, ensuring the quality of education, bid writing, and effective timetabling. I have successfully led a team of teachers, delivering a curriculum that earned our institution an OFSTED Good with outstanding leadership.
Currently serving as the Assistant Head for Curriculum Inclusion, I am dedicated to crafting an inclusive educational environment that addresses the diverse needs of every learner. My passion lies in creating opportunities for young people to thrive outside the mainstream education model, fostering an atmosphere where creativity, confidence, and academic achievement go hand in hand.
Sophie Groenvynck BSC NPQSL
Having fallen into the world of alternative education some 20+ years ago, it's a place where I have witnessed the impact of lives for the better. Because of my traumatic upbringing my time at school was littered with issues and the feeling I wasn't understood or listened to, Its my aim as senior leader to enable every student to feel heard and wanted. As part of a team that grew an education project into an independent school and then into a free school I absolutely believe there is scope for high quality alternative provision which provides support, purpose and progression.
As a senior leader in a Free School I have developed many roles over the years, on a need to learn basis. Currently I am curriculum lead for Wellbeing and designated safeguarding lead among other roles including -
Online Safety and Technical security manager
Quality of Education
Policy writing and development
Education Visits Coordinator
Prevent.
No one child is the same and no one will learn in the same way in the same environment, and that's ok.
They just need to find the right place to flourish even if that's not a typical school.
That's why Phimfinch was created.
OUR MISSION
The objectives of the Company are to carry out activities that benefit the community and provide education and emotional mentoring for young people that have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
We provide a safe and nurturing environment for those with special educational needs and those with social, emotional and mental health needs.
We do this by providing alternative learning pathways to achieve success by breaking down barriers to education and training through a holistic approach.
Our ethos is to provide this not only to the initial service user but to act as wrap-around support with other agencies for families in need.