Matt Ayling – Principal
“With a decade of dedicated experience in specialist ASC settings across Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5, I have honed my skills in various management and leadership roles. My journey began at Hillingdon Manor School, where I developed and led the Formal Department pathway for a large sixth form, navigating through successful Ofsted inspections. Seeking a new challenge in the Post 16 sector, I transitioned to Syon Manor College as the Assistant Headteacher for Quality of Education. Here, I introduced and created the broad and inclusive curriculum that we have and grew the provision to its current status. Following a successful tenure as Interim Principal, I have stepped into this role permanently and I am extremely excited to continue to develop the provision and ensuring the highest quality of education for all our learners and ensuring that all of our young people have no barriers to the employment sector or higher education”
Mateusz Szlezak – Assistant Headteacher ( Education and Curriculum )
“I have worn many hats throughout my career, including teaching, working as an Exams Officer, Quality Nominee (Head of BTEC qualifications), and Head of Sixth Form. I have worked in primary and secondary schools and a Young Offenders Institution. Before starting at Syon Manor College, I worked at Hillingdon Manor School, an independent school for children with autism. I worked there for twelve years, performing different job roles.
I am genuinely passionate about teaching, mentoring, supporting, and sharing my skills and knowledge with staff and students. I am a keen learner and believe that there is always time to learn new things and there is always a solution to a problem.
As the Assistant Head Teacher at Syon Manor College, I am committed to our collective mission of delivering the highest quality education and support to our students”
Ciaran McKeever – Assistant Head (Behaviour and Attitudes)
“I have been teaching for many years, from 3-5 year olds in Liverpool, middle high-school in Tokyo to university lecturing in Ireland. I started teaching in Hounslow over 20 years ago and have had many roles and responsibilities in the time, helping manage SEN departments in fields such as Developmental Language Delay, Physical Disability and ASC. I have also managed Psychology and Sociology departments up to A-level. In 2019 I helped set up Capella House School in Twickenham. Extra-curricular activities include being on the foster panel for Barnardo’s”
Kevin Coakley – Deputy Headteacher
“I have been a teacher for 35 years, initially in primary mainstream provisions. I have been in Special Needs Schools for over 25 years, teaching from Key Stage 2 to Stage 5. I have held various teaching and management posts within these schools before moving to my current role at Syon Manor College. I also worked with Adult Social Care in Richmond at the Croft Centre, supporting children and young adults during holidays, and ran the Clarendon Special Needs Youth Club for ten years”
Amanda Wright – Careers Lead
“I have a diverse background in education and support, beginning my journey working in a mainstream school setting. I started as a dinner lady before progressing to a 1:1 support role, where I supported intervention groups across EYFS to Key Stage 2. During this time over 8 years, I discovered my true passion for supporting young people with special educational needs.
Following this, I worked as a Teaching Assistant, where I was involved in various roles including helping to run breakfast clubs, after-school childcare, and dance clubs. These experiences allowed me to develop a well-rounded understanding of supporting children and young people in different settings.
Becoming a mum allowed me to immerse myself further into supporting and nurturing others, which deepened my understanding and commitment to this vital work. With my caring and passionate nature, I am now proud to serve as Careers Leader at Syon Manor. I look forward to guiding and supporting our young adults as they make continuous steps towards their employability goals and future aspirations, helping them take confident steps into adulthood and independence”.
Paige Stevens – Lead Clinician & Senior Speech and Language Therapist
“I am a speech and language therapist specialising in SEN and autism. I have worked with primary, secondary, and college students and am committed to providing neurodiversity-affirming practice that celebrates each student’s differences. My work focuses on developing communication, independence, and self-advocacy. I lead a multidisciplinary team of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists; together, we support students to achieve their goals”.