Testimonials 2026
I have visited the old New Leaf on many occasions over the years, and the difference is quite astonishing. The environment is now calm, warm, welcoming and nurturing - it feels like a school, not an institution. The relationships between staff and pupils are exceptional across all roles, and the overwhelming impression is that every adult genuinely cares about the children, their wellbeing, and their success.
The care, commitment and expertise at New Leaf are transforming outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children, and I cannot thank the team enough for the difference they are making.
D Clacy – Headteacher, Old-Church Primary School
It was an absolute joy and a pleasure to be shown round New Leaf School this morning. The whole school feels calm, and welcoming and there wasn’t a single child not engaged positively with their key staff, everyone (staff and pupils) looked like they felt at home. What an achievement, and a noticeable difference on my last visit some 12months+ ago!
It was a welcome break away from my laptop today, seeing the efforts that everyone is putting in to turning around the lives of some of out most vulnerable children, the love and care being shown to them is incredible and exactly what they deserve and need.
H Hill - Walsall Council
By implementing a personalised learning experience, New Leaf has successfully created a nurturing space where Shelfield students can address barriers to their learning and develop the resilience and confidence necessary for reintegration or change of provision. Their ability to align these short-term interventions with the academy’s wider behaviour and support culture ensures that the learners receive consistent, targeted guidance that directly impacts their personal development and engagement.
D. Foreman – Vice Principal, Ormiston Shelfield Academy
Fortis Academy has had a very positive experience working with New Leaf to provide short-term placements for students who are struggling to engage or succeed within a mainstream school setting. The provision offers a supportive, structured environment that enables pupils to re‑engage with learning while addressing their individual social, emotional, and behavioural needs.
The professionalism of the New Leaf staff is consistently evident. Communication is clear, timely, and purposeful, with regular updates that ensure we are fully informed of each student’s progress, challenges, and next steps. These updates are extremely beneficial in helping us plan effective reintegration or onward provision, and they demonstrate a genuine commitment to collaborative working.
Staff at New Leaf show a strong understanding of the complexities faced by vulnerable learners and approach each placement with care, flexibility, and high expectations. As a result, students are well supported and given the best possible opportunity to succeed.
We would highly recommend New Leaf to schools seeking a reliable, professional, and effective short-term placement to support students who are finding mainstream education challenging.
J Clark – Headteacher, Fortis Academy