After 17 years in the police force, Angela has brought her skills, compassion and calm to her role supporting students at St Chris.
Guided by both professional expertise and personal experience as a mum to two autistic sons, Angela helps our students feel safe, understood and confident every day.
This week, we shine a light on Angela Westwood, our Autism Specialist Learning Support Assistant, who joined St Chris last term. Angela works closely with students across Junior and Senior Schools, supporting them with strategies to regulate their emotions and build confidence. She also plays a vital role in guiding staff and parents to better understand and support children with autism.
From Policing to Education
Angela’s professional journey is as remarkable as it is inspiring. Before joining St Chris, she spent 17 years in the police force, serving as a sergeant in Hertfordshire and covering a wide variety of roles. “I was a trained negotiator, in crisis and hostage situations,” Angela recalls. “I progressed to being kidnap and extortion trained, and later counter-terrorism trained. That means I’ve worked with people in some of the most vulnerable and critical situations you can imagine.”
It was her family life, however, that prompted a career change. Both of Angela’s sons are autistic, and their very different needs gave her a unique perspective.
“It was a natural career progression. As a mum, I was already used to adapting and supporting, and I decided to retrain and qualify so I could help children in school in the same way.”
Life at St Chris
No two days are the same in Angela’s role. “It’s really fluid,” she says. “Some students come in having a great day, others need more support to regulate — sometimes because of something as simple as missing breakfast. I’m very much led by the students, which makes every day different.”
Angela describes the students she works with in three words: “Amazing, kind and honest.” She treasures the trust they place in her and values the connections that grow through day-to-day interactions. “I actually love the reliance that students have on me to help them regulate. I really love the fact that at break and lunchtime I hear my name being called up the stairs — I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
For Angela, inclusion is central to her work. “It’s making sure that everyone knows they are accepted, that everyone has a safe place, and a trusted adult here.” She hopes that the strategies and confidence students develop with her will stay with them long after they leave St Chris.
A Lasting Impact
Angela knows that education is rarely one-size-fits-all, and her advice to anyone considering a similar career change reflects that. “It’s very rewarding, and you really need to have an open mind, it will never be one size fits all.”
Colleagues and students may also be surprised to learn that Angela is a qualified personal trainer, having taught Zumba, spin, and body conditioning alongside her career in the police.
Above all, Angela values the ethos of St Chris and the emphasis placed on wellbeing.
“This is the first educational setting I’ve worked in where the main focus is wellbeing. The first thing I always hear staff say to a student who might be struggling is: what can we do, and what do you need? That makes all the difference.”