Emma Culley
Head of Trustees
Emma is very experienced in school governance, sitting on boards at several schools in the region.
Our School
Welcome to Red Balloon Norwich, where we aspire to ensure all young people who access our Learning Centre can re-connect with the education system through a range of character and career enriching opportunities which place wellbeing at their core.
Head of Centre's Welcome
“One of the first things a young person needs when they join Red
Balloon Norwich is to build their confidence and to address their
barriers to learning. The young people aged 11-17 that we support
have often experienced difficulties accessing learning in mainstream
education. Our highly experienced staff offer small class sizes, counselling interventions and coping strategies to help students restore their trust with learning and attending an education setting.
We offer an onsite wellbeing listening service, delivered by a qualified integrative counsellor – an invaluable facility for those learners who have been on waiting lists for CAMHS intervention.
The centre has also introduced from January 2025 the Young Apprenticeship Scheme which offers a supportive transition into work for young people with severe anxiety. The school also offers a one to one blended intervention programme made up of online, face to face intervention and alternative provision for students who are unable to access the centre straight away.
The timetable and curriculum offer a unique blend of wellbeing, vocational and academic interventions where students can choose subjects such as hair and beauty, games development, arts award, animal care and child development alongside their core subjects to develop a range of life management skills to prepare for adult life.
Head of Centre
Ambitions for 2025
- Open a new satellite site in Norwich
- Young apprenticeship scheme pilot
- Increase employer partnerships
- Continue to aspire to 95% average attendance
- Enhance direct relationship with schools as commissioners and other strategic partners
- Increase the number of apprenticeship destinations Post 16
Meet The Team
We have a high staff to student ratio at Red Balloon Norwich which include teachers, student support and therapists. Our staff boast an impressive range of experience and qualifications with many fulfilling more than one role at the centre. Some of the team are full time, with others working part-time or self employed throughout the week.
Head Of Centre
Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning (Shared) & Science Lead
Deputy Head of Pastoral, Behaviour Lead & Attendance Lead- Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning (Shared), Humanities Lead, PSHE Lead, Child Development and Health and Social Care Lead
- SEND Manager, Health & Safety Lead
Meet The Trustees
Ben Aldridge
Trustee‘I got involved with Red Balloon because I saw the fantastic work the team does first hand as my eldest child started here in June 2022. I like to give back to others when I can and just felt that this was a worthy organisation to support.
Ben uses his professional skills to assist the centre with finances, providing advice and guidance to the board and staff when required. He is responsible for preparing and managing the Centre’s budget and providing support with funding applications and fee negotiations with local authorities.Miriam Blyth
Trustee‘I believe that children are the future of our society, and it all starts with having access to education, that every child is given the support to contribute meaningfully later as participating citizens in our society
Miriam has pledged to continue and improve the good work that our organisation stands for, and as a trustee is keen to implement the mission statement of Red Balloon Norwich and to ensure that we are all aligned with the core values of our organisation.Adam Dabin
TrusteeAdam has worked in education for many years, working across both mainstream and specialist education.
He has extensive experience of supporting vulnerable students and is passionate about ensuring that all young people have access to the very education and opportunities possible.Peter Boland
TrusteeHaving managed a surgical unit in a hospital for many years I am able to appreciate the hard work and skill needed to achieve a positive reputation and the amazing feel good factor experienced by a strong community of people. The staff of Red Balloon have a friendly, intelligent, adaptive approach to their work, working alongside them I hope to share my knowledge and expertise to contribute to the development of the school. With responsibility for parents and community, I believe that we should strive to be a school where parents, staff and local authorities work together for the benefit of the pupils.Zelda Rolfe
TrusteeZelda is very well known throughout East Anglia for her work in the Theatre world, both as a performer and Director. With over 25 years teaching and experience with young people, and as a previous NODA Youth representative for East Anglia, she has much to bring to her trustee role.Zelda's background is in HR and she uses her professional skills to assist the centre with HR requirements, providing advice & guidance to the staff and board when required. Zelda has a passion for engaging and is here to support all staff, trustees, parents and our young people so that they can reach their potential.John Clogan
TrusteeSam Ridge Ward
TrusteeBen Crane
Trustee
