The Ryes College & Community

Head Lane is a very spacious, airy property with two living areas, offering the young people plenty of space for relaxing and reflecting. Situated on the outskirts of Sudbury, Suffolk, Head Lane is just a few moments’ walk from Great Cornard Sports Centre, with outdoor swimming pool, which is great in the summer months. The team is committed and passionate about what they do - and has two 'good' Ofsted reports to prove it.

With a degree in therapeutic communication with young people living in a therapeutic community, Vivienne, the manager, has worked in various locations and roles at The Ryes over the last ten years. This gives her an excellent background for meeting the needs of the children.  The rest of the team at Head lane is a well-established group of people with a range of diverse skills and qualifications. They employ a child-based ethos, and consider the goals of running Head Lane to be about providing the young people with a feeling of ‘homeliness’ in a smoothly managed unit. The children at the unit are encouraged to participate in many varied activities to give them a well-balanced home life.

We currently have two residents at Head lane, a 15 year old girl who attends our school four days a week and one day a week at college in Bury  St Edmunds taking a mechanics course which she hopes to continue when she leaves this year, she enjoys horse-riding, yoga,  and attending the local gym. Our other resident is a nine year old boy who goes to a mainstream school and enjoys cubs, bowling, x-box and go karting. 

Registered Manager

Vivienne

“I have been at the Ryes for over ten years, working with children with extreme behavioural needs. Part of my job is to work closely with my team, child care professionals and families to make an accurate assessment of each child’s needs and to create a personal development plan to build their self esteem and achieve a positive outcome for their personal and educational development. I believe I have a practical ‘hands-on’ approach to achieving these goals, by setting clear boundaries for the children whilst also helping maintain a secure and happy environment for them to develop to their full potential.”

What Ofsted say about Head Lane

“The home is particularly good at promoting the physical safety of children and young people, involving them in aspects of their care and in their placement plans”

“Staff make efforts to encourage children and young people to eat a healthy and varied diet. They actively seek their views and ideas when planning meals.”

“Staff make suitable responses to inappropriate behaviour so that they can help children and young people develop behaviour which is more appropriate.”

“Improving children and young people's diets has positive effects on their long term health and helps them to develop skills that they will be able to use in adulthood.”