Nightingale Community Academy is a special school in Wandsworth for 238 learners aged 5 to 19 with social, emotional and mental health needs. All pupils have an Educational Health Care Plan.
This section provides key information including how the school spends the funding it receives, its policies and procedures, how students perform in exams and assessment, inspection information and the schools self-evaluation
Our curriculum has been designed to ensure every learner, from primary through to sixth form, is provided with a clear and purposeful pathway to success.
Secondary students are offered a broad curriculum including vocational courses. They have access to a comprehensive therapy service including regular access to Tom's Farm.
The Nightingale Community Academy (NCA) Therapeutic Service aims to provide a supportive environment and a comprehensive range of therapies to all pupils and students on site.
Monika Mieszkowska is in her seventh year at Nightingale Community Academy, where she serves as Maths Lead and Numeracy Lead. She brings over 25 years of experience in teaching Mathematics and Science, with a strong focus on inclusive education, curriculum development, school improvement, and staff mentoring. Monika holds a master’s degree in Environmental Studies and has contributed to nationally recognised educational initiatives, as well as supporting leadership development programmes through UCL Institute of Education. She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider, committed to supporting the wellbeing of both students and staff.
Her professional experience includes involvement in the merger of two Catholic schools within the London Borough of Wandsworth, where she contributed to the successful transition and development process during a significant period of educational change. She has also been actively involved in projects supporting the Polish community in the UK, particularly through work helping newly arrived students and families adapt to the British education system. In recognition of her educational and community contributions, she was awarded scholarships from the Senate of the Republic of Poland in partnership with Jagiellonian University.
Alongside her professional commitments, Monika has a strong interest in sport, particularly volleyball, and values its role in developing resilience, teamwork, and discipline among young people. She has also supported the women’s rowing community through her involvement with Oxford University Rowing Club, where, as a parent, she has encouraged participation and a healthy balance between academic and personal development. She is also a proud mother of two young professionals.
Ed spent almost 25 years working in advertising and marketing mainly focusing on helping companies that spoke to young people, he spent 10 years with Nike in various markets around the world and ended up leading Nike’s football advertising and digital marketing on a global level. In 2022 Ed graduated from Roehampton University with a MA in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy for Children Adolescents and Families with Merit. Ed is trained in several psychotherapeutic modalities including psychodynamic, humanistic, attachment-focussed, CBT, trauma-informed and systemic therapies. Ed joined Nightingale in 2021 as a trainee and joined the school as a permanent employee on graduation as Therapist to the Secondary School in 2022, in 2025 Ed took on the role of Lead Therapist managing the school’s team of six therapists. Ed is registered with the BACP.
Shamani has 19 years of HR experience of which 11 years has been within the Educational sector. Shamani used to work for Orchard Hill College and supported the Head as her role as Senior HR Advisor. She is currently a HR Consultant supporting a number of schools within inner and outer London.
Amelia is a Wandsworth resident and works for Wandsworth Council as the Voluntary & Community Sector Manager. Amelia previously worked in Children’s Services for 5 years and supported Nightingale Academy with pupil voice and community engagement projects. Amelia is really looking forward to continuing her support and celebrating the school as a Governor.
Sophia is an experienced children’s commissioner with an interest in Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She has led on a number of strategic commissioning projects / programmes to improve outcomes for Children and Young People with SEND. She also has a son with additional needs and has lived experience of education, health and social care pathways for children and young people with SEND. Sophia also sat on the Parent Carer Forum as a steering group member up until recently and has experience in supporting parents and carers to navigate the SEND System.
Peter served on Lambeth Council for 20 years and was Leader for four years. During that time he was deeply involved in ensuring the survival of threatened primary schools in north Lambeth and the successful outcome of the Ofsted inspection of Lambeth Local Education Authority. He was also a member of the London Development Agency board and Chair of the Finance Committee on the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.
Jonathan Peake is a commercial and strategic leader with over 30 years’ experience working with education organisations in the UK and internationally. He was one of the founders of Met Film School and has held senior roles at organisations including Trinity College London and Kaplan International English. He now advises schools on sustainable growth, partnerships and income diversification, and speaks several languages including French and German.
