KEYFORT GROUP

Hi, I'm Sharon!

I joined KEYFORT in April this year, after having worked for many years in local authority education and social service sectors - as a senior children's social worker and a primary teacher.

As a lone parent to a now junior doctor, with decades of personal / lived and professional experience, I am
committed to working in a relational, trauma-informed way and am passionate about providing quality learning experiences for the children and young people we support!

https://keyfortgroup.co.uk/people/sharon-westgarth/

Meet Dom ... Our Lead Teacher

I began my career in education in 2012 as an Apprentice Teaching Assistant, supporting children across Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Primary settings. This experience provided me with a strong foundation in child development, classroom practice, and inclusive education. After qualifying as a teacher in 2019, I taught across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in mainstream education for five years, developing my skills in curriculum delivery, behaviour management, and supporting pupils with diverse learning needs.

In 2024, I transitioned into alternative education in South Tyneside, where I found a passion for supporting young people through personalised and flexible approaches to learning. In November 2025, I became Lead Teacher for South and North Tyneside with KEYFORT, overseeing educational provision and supporting both learners and staff across the region. My journey from Apprentice Teaching Assistant to Lead Teacher reflects over a decade of dedication to education, with a commitment to helping every young person achieve success, regardless of their starting point or circumstances.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to reintegration, with every member of our team dedicated to helping young people achieve meaningful, achievable milestones on their journey back into full time education. We work closely with families, schools, and students, providing targeted intervention with the clear understanding that we are here to support positive change—not to be the final destination. Our aim is to equip every child with the confidence, resilience, and skills they need to move forward and thrive.

One recent success story reflects the impact of this approach. A young boy who had completely disengaged from education was struggling with his motivation and emotional wellbeing, affecting not only his own future but his entire family. Through the consistent care and dedication of our team, he attended our centre every day, rebuilt his confidence, developed a greater understanding of his emotions and potential, and rediscovered a love of learning. He has now successfully transitioned into full-time education, where he continues to flourish.

Although our support is designed to be temporary, the relationships built and the journey shared often leave a lasting impression. As one parent told us, “You changed my son’s life and his outlook on education.” Moments like these remind us why we do what we do and reinforce the pride we feel in every young person who walks through our doors.

Our lovely Miss Sowerby is soon to become Mrs Parkins - Enjoy your special day Hannah
From all of us at KEYFORT 💍💒👰

We would like to introduce you all to Charlotte, our Resource Administrator

https://keyfortgroup.co.uk/people/charlotte-steel/

We would like to wish Kelly a Happy Birthday from KEYFORT!!

We are excited to share that our alternative education is expanding, we now provide support within South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Newcastle.

We provide tailored and flexible education for young people who don’t always thrive in a mainstream school environment. Our approach is all about building confidence, re-engaging learners while also supporting their well-being and mental health – one young person at a time.

At KEYFORT, we combine academic learning with hands-on, practical experiences, including:
🎯1:1 and small group tuition
🌳Outdoor learning & wellbeing sessions
🛠️ Life skills & practical activities
🎨 Creative projects
🤝Mentoring & confidence-building sessions

We meet young people where they are, we help them grow academically and emotionally – while also supporting them to gain confidence for their post 16 transition.

We would like to give a massive welcome to both of our OT Placement Students Lucy and Lindsay.

Lucy and Lindsay are joining us from Sunderland University and are being guided by our OT Kyle throughout their placement.

We would like to wish you all at KEYFORT a Happy Easter 🐣 🐰

A big thank you to NEFire for providing our Fire Marshal🧯🧯