An outward looking centre of excellence
in the education of children with visual impairments
Joanna Garvey
Headteacher
Mrs Garvey joined Priestley Smith Specialist School as Headteacher in September 2021, having previously worked as a Deputy Headteacher in a large comprehensive, and prior to this in a variety of settings as an Advanced Skills Teacher, Specialist Leader in Education and a Lead Practitioner for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Prior to her teaching career Mrs Garvey worked as a nurse (R.G.N and R.S.C.N.) in the NHS for 15 years.
Liz Clabon
Deputy Headteacher
Mrs Clabon joined Priestley Smith in 2021 and undertook her role as Deputy Head and Head of Secondary in September 2023. Mrs Clabon has worked in Special Needs Education for over twenty years. She has experience in working with children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental health difficulties as well as working is specialist autism settings. She has worked as a SENCO and Safeguarding Lead. Before joining Priestley Smith Mrs Clabon was Deputy Head of a special school for children with autism and was then seconded to undertake a safeguarding role within Birmingham Local Authority, advising schools and working closely with Birmingham Children’s Trust.
Mrs Clabon is thrilled to join the Senior Leadership Team at Priestley Smith.
Richard Foord
Assistant Headteacher
Mr Foord joined Priestley Smith as Assistant Headteacher in January 2024. He leads the Primary department.
Suzy McDonald
Senior Habilitation Specialist
Suzy McDonald is the Senior Habilitation Specialist and Coordinator of the Specialist Outreach Services based at the school. She joined the Birmingham Education Habilitation Service at Priestley Smith in 2009 after 17 years at RNIB, including 9 years as RNIB’s Curriculum Access Officer. She qualified from UCL as a habilitation specialist in 2011 and loves her role working with children across Birmingham to develop their mobility and independence skills. She is the treasurer and Conference Organiser for Habilitation VIUK, the professional body for Habilitation Specialists. Suzy also teaches habilitation on the mandatory post graduate qualification for teaching children and young people with vision impairments ( Qualified Teacher of Vision Impaired Children QTVI)