Head of Centre’s Welcome

It is my pleasure as Head of Centre to welcome you to Work Skills Learning.

We are a small, dedicated community with high expectations for each of our learners. Every learner is offered a personalised learning journey, and we are committed to ensuring that every young person thrives across all aspects of the curriculum. Our learners are fully informed, actively engaged in their educational journey, and equipped with the skills and support needed to achieve their aspirations successfully.

Preparing our young people for a successful and enriched future alongside ensuring our learners are able to contribute to their community and society, irrespective of their starting point, is key to our vision. Our values of personal responsibility and respect are integral to our ethos where views, beliefs and differences are appreciated. This is in keeping with the support of our families and underpinned by our wellbeing programme.

Life at WSL is diverse, inspirational and aspirational. We offer a carefully structured curriculum delivered by our dedicated team of professionals. We are committed to fostering a collaborative, reflective, and outward-facing community, ensuring that every phase of our young people’s development is meticulously supported and extended by the WSL team. Our provision is further enriched by a variety of opportunities designed to enhance learning and development, including extra-curricular programmes, outreach partnerships, and guest speakers.

Work Skills Learning is ambitious for our young people and our website highlights our vision and our community’s progress.

Andy Miklusiak

Our Team

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Dayo has a varied background in education, including Feltham YOI, where he was Head of Education. Dayo has been an Ofsted inspector, visiting lecturer and university examiner and was a consultant to colleges. He is firmly committed to inclusion and has an MA in Inclusive Education. Dayo strongly believes in the power of education and work skills to change lives. He is passionate about the possibilities of positive change in the lives of all people and this is what has driven his initiatives in Work Skills Education. He is a keen table tennis player and will do his utmost to play and win.

Dayo Adeagbo

Proprietor

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Helen has worked in Special Educational Needs for over 20 years. She was a SENCO in a large secondary school in London, has managed an independent special needs organisation and been the head-teacher of an independent special school. Like Dayo, she is committed to inclusion and also completed an MA in Inclusive Education. Helen believes education can be a life changing activity and is proud of her students’ achievements. She has undertaken training for SENCOs as well as for teachers and TAs.

Helen Jackson

Director of Education

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Karen has worked for over thirty years in education and comes from a wider understanding of curriculum, having worked in Ireland and Spain prior to moving to London. Karen has taught across a wide range of settings, including large mixed comprehensives, independent schools, and a leading performing arts school. With a background in music and the performing arts, she has also held a range of pastoral and academic leadership roles. Karen joined Edith Kay School as Head Teacher in 2018 and she has led this highly respected school through three successful inspections, working collaboratively with staff to ensure pupil success and well-being.

Karen Dwyer-Burchill

Executive Head

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Andy holds a Master’s Degree in Education in Technology and Informatics, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Banking. With experience across both education and construction, he is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to develop real-world skills in an environment where all students can thrive. Alongside his role at Work Skills Learning, Andy is Managing Director of Interskills Solutions, a family-owned building firm with over 18 years of experience. He has also competed as a professional volleyball player in national tournaments. “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle

Andy Miklusiak

Head of Centre

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Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Westminster. She has an excellent theoretical understanding of the human learning process, from both the behavioural and cognitive perspective. Jacqui has worked numerous years within Work Skills Learning and has helped co-ordinate and develop the vision and values of the Centre. She has worked closely with students who have special educational needs and is passionate about teaching and learning for educational success.

Jacqui Russell-Thompson

Deputy Head of Centre

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Nickie has over 15 years PA / Secretarial experience. The position of Business Manager was a great next step from the PA background and with her dealings with the parenting and family industry, brings additional knowledge and insight to this role. The role of Business Manager takes into consideration each and every student as well as each member of staff and is one that Nickie very much enjoys.

Nickie Evans

Business Manager

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Natasha has a bachelors degree in Childhood and Youth Studies. She is passionate about creative arts and believes every young person should have a safe space with a platform to express themselves. Natasha has worked in education for 16 years in a variety of capacities, many of these in SEN education. Natasha is also a qualified Child and Adolescent counsellor.

Natasha Sambo

Learning Support Coordinator

Our Values & Mission

Our Vision

We find and nurture each young person’s unique spark.

Our Mission

is to enable young people to progress and succeed.

Our Values

are underpinned by our passionate belief in inclusion, equality, the transformational power of education and the right of each person to a dignified future.

Student Term Dates

Autumn Term

1st – 3rd Sep 2025

Staff Inset Days

4th Sep – 24th Oct 2025

Autumn First Term (staggered return for pupils)

27th – 31st Oct 2025

Autumn Half Term Holiday

3rd Nov – 17th Dec 2025

Autumn Second Term

18th Dec 2025 – 5th Jan 2026

Christmas Holidays

Spring Term

5th Jan 2026

Staff Inset Day

6th Jan – 12th Feb 2026

Spring First Term

13th Feb 2026

Staff Inset Day

16th – 20th Feb 2026

Spring Half Term Holiday

23rd Feb – 2nd Apr 2026

Spring Second Term

3rd – 20th Apr 2026

Easter Holidays

Summer Term

13th Apr 2026

Staff Inset Day

14 Apr – 22 May 2026

Summer First Term

25th – 29th May 2026

Summer Half Term Holiday

1st Jun – 15th Jul 2026

Summer Second Term

26th Jun 2026

Staff Inset Day

From 15th Jul 2026

Summer Holidays