Our People

Darren Jackson

Principal

Beechwood College

Darren’s background and continuing passion is as an Art specialist. As well as the practical side of Art and Design, Darren’s knowledge includes painting, printmaking and sculpture and extends to philosophy, sociology and art history.

Darren’s qualified teacher status came within secondary Art & Design/SEN as part of a Graduate Teacher Programme and he has extensive experience within both mainstream and special educational needs settings which has allowed him to form a clear vision, philosophy and commitment to teaching students who challenge traditional mainstream school based services.

Darren has been an integral part of Beechwood College since its inception in 2004 realising the importance and challenges involved in developing Wales’ first Specialist College for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder & Asperger’s Syndrome. Having been appointed as Principal in 2009, Darren continues to lead a team of innovative, dedicated professionals who are committed to ensuring success and achievement for all students at Beechwood College and is proud of what Beechwood has achieved in its short life so far.

Outside of College life, Darren remains an active artist who works for pleasure and commissions and enjoys chainsaw sculpting using reclaimed oak beams and continues to have a general interest in woodwork. His more recent interests lay within the design and making of bespoke glass/silver jewellery which he fires/infuses using a ceramic kiln. Many of these pieces of jewellery are made from recycled fragments of glass found on or around the local coastline.