Management Team

I am the Headteacher of Dovecote School. I have over 23 years experience of working with students with special education needs, including trauma informed practice, SEMH, ASD, ADHD, PDA to name a few. 10 of those years have been specifically dedicated to work at senior management level supporting families, staff and students alike, promoting inclusive practice in an environment where students feel safe and want to learn resulting in positive outcomes. I have a proven track record in registering and developing growth within special schools in the South West whilst maintaining a good strong vision for the school and sharing this effectively to the leadership team and teachers alike prioritising staff welfare and the wellbeing of our students.

At the heart of the school, I think we need to make our students feel safe within a fun, appropriate learning environment where students can make mistakes without prejudice and strive to be the best they can be through our delivery of a specialized, student-focused curriculum which will allow them grow into interdependent learners.

As a leader, I have been able to motivate my staff team and get them to work with me, I lead from the front demonstrating excellent teaching and engagement management skills, giving them the confidence that I still know what it’s like to be on the ground floor.

I have worked in the education sector in a variety of settings for over 20 years. Over these years I have trialed, developed and attuned my managerial and leadership skills, including skills essential in supporting the running, development and growth of this new school. I am excited by the opportunities we can offer to young people and embed in our curriculum, that allow us to engage and stretch our students’ minds. Through Thrive practices, Sensory activities and diets and Autistic friendly approaches, we meet the needs of our young people, above and beyond so many other specialist schools. The school has a genuine family feel and the ethos we promote is child focused. Our facilities and the high calibre of staff, make the transitional steps easier for any young person on roll.

After qualifying in climbing, paddle sport and Mountain Leaders, I first worked as an outdoor activity Instructor, then as a field studies teacher, DofE assessor and Team building facilitator in various outdoor centres. Following completion of my degree and PGCE, I then moved into a post in a mainstream school (11-18). There, I delivered Geography (11-18) and initially through extracurricular activities, Outdoor Education. Over the years, I ran various trips, expeditions and programs both on the timetable and as extracurricular activities. As a successful and driven teacher, I became promoted to a middle leader role within the school, first improving the quality of education within Geography, and also its image and value within young people’s lives. Over time, I also undertook various other lead roles within the wider school community, including; Staff CPD co-coordinator, Coaching Lead and NQT’s/ PGCE mentor. Towards the end of my time at my first school (14 years), I became heavily involved in and started to specialise in SEN education.

I am passionate and driven to provide high quality, impactful and meaningful education. Education that improves life outcomes and which all students can access. Dovecote School is that unique and amazing environment which has been specifically selected and designed to create the best supportive and encouraging atmosphere for students. With its focus on Autism, facilities and resources have been specifically selected to support students so that anxiety can be managed and progress can be made. I am excited to be a part of the team.

Having accessed University as a mature student and scraped through an Honors degree in Psychology and Sociology, I had a long first career in Registered adult social care; in both middle and senior leadership. This gave me a wealth of experience working alongside and managing teams to support young and older adults with a range of learning differences to navigate life. I’m old enough to have been involved in the re-provision of services traditionally part of hospital care, to community care and supported living! Being involved in the final push for re-provision of the hospital care service in the Southwest taught me we can and should do more to support neurodiverse people to access opportunities through education which enable them to fulfill full potential and hopes and wishes.

This prompted a switch from care to education and I quickly started working in specialist education provision – somewhere I could use my skills and experience to best effect. I’ve taught classes of students with complex communication and social needs, including Autism, PDA, Attachment disorder and Trauma and through this became acutely aware of the meaning of inclusion in education. More recently I’ve used Art (a hobby of mine) to engage young people therapeutically to support development of social and emotional skills. This brought me to Thrive Approach which has in turn been transformational for my practice and understanding of neurodiverse community. I come to Dovecote with a deep and heartfelt understanding of Thrive and the impact it can have for everyone as a teaching tool, as a wellbeing tool and as a tool for life. I’m a licensed Adolescent Thrive practitioner, Thrive Family leader and Thrive trainer. In the last few years, I have worked tirelessly to embed the principles and practice of Thrive into education and most recently supported a school to embed the 5 areas of excellence in Thrive to become a Thrive Ambassador school. I feel truly privileged to be bringing this to Dovecote and to be able to share the experience of being part of a new school, in which we can fly the flag for Inclusion and navigate the journey as a therapeutic community.

I have been a member of the Senior Leadership within schools for almost 20 years. I have taught throughout the Primary phase over my 28-year teaching career. I have been a SENCO and worked tirelessly within schools to ensure all children have their needs met. I have been Maths and Science Leads in school and have a huge passion for both of these subjects, enjoying making them as interactive and engaging as possible. After 22 years working in a small rural school, I jumped at the chance to work at Dovecote, a place where the children are able to thrive due to its fun, individualised approach to learning, safe learning environment where mistakes can be made and where the children can just be themselves – without judgment. I love working with the children seeing them develop and grow as individuals.

I have worked within education for over 10 years and had the opportunity within a variety of roles across multiple year groups from Primary to further education. My experience varies from class teacher of early years, to GSCE English and A Level and BTEC lecturer. Since qualifying as a teacher, I have had the opportunity to lead, develop and support PSHE curriculum, pastoral care supporting parent and families and as Deputy Safeguarding Lead. Working alongside parents and families providing additional support for vulnerable children prompted my transition to Residential care, where I undertook the role of Therapeutic Support Practitioner & Co- Ordinator working closely with young children with ongoing trauma, responsible for strategies and intervention therapies. Having worked within many educational establishments I have identified the importance of continual development and learning, striving to provide the best environment possible for children and young people to be able to develop and become successful individuals. With this as a focus I am excited to be part of the Dovecote team to support an individualised therapeutic approach to learning.

I have worked in education for over 14 years and have experience in primary, secondary and specialist schools. When I undertook my PGCE, I trained with special needs as a specialism and spent equal time training in specialist settings and mainstream settings. Since qualifying as a teacher, I have taught across a variety of age ranges in both key stage 1 and key stage 2 and have led a number of subjects including Computing and PE, as well as being a key stage leader. I have always had an interest in special needs, and I was able to work alongside the SENCo in my previous school and gain valuable experience whilst completing the SENCo award. I then went on to become the school SENCo and was able to use my training and experience to implement new systems and strategies to develop and improve SEN outcomes across the school.

I firmly believe that education is not only about outcomes but about creating highly skilled and life ready individuals who are ready for the challenging world ahead, regardless of need or background. For me as a leader, this journey through education is fundamental and should be accessible to every child with each having access to the best opportunities to succeed and thrive. I am passionate about supporting young people and genuinely believe in the capacity of all to be successful even where adjustments may need to be made – I know that this drive and commitment to inclusivity and opportunities for all is integral to the role of SENCo.

Dovecote School provides a truly unique environment, both in the physical spaces that are available to enhance and facilitate educational and personal development opportunities, but also within the skills and experience of the staff team. I am in the fortunate position to work as part of a Therapy Team where our collective skills and knowledge can be used to support our students and their families to ensure that school is a safe and supportive place where they are welcomed and understood. As a therapy team we are able to support the wider teaching team in having the knowledge, training and resources to ensure that student’s needs are met, and they have the tools and strategies to succeed. An integral part of this success is working closely with our families to ensure that our student have the best possible outcomes.

I have worked in the social care/education sector; in a variety of settings, for over 18 years, with the latter 6 years being dedicated to HR, workforce development and H&S. I have many years’ experiences of managing a team; 10 of which have been at senior management level.  I am loyal, passionate, and driven to provide the best possible service to colleagues and the children and young people we work with.

I really enjoy working in multifaceted and fast paced environments that require effective delivery of projects and initiatives, which makes the environment at Dovecote School is perfect for me.

Dovecote School provides an amazing environment, with plenty of outside space including a farm, gardens, sports activities as well as on and offsite adventure activities to meet the needs of our students and help them achieve their true potential.  We are incredibly lucky to have an amazing; inclusive, team of educational and therapy specialists who are dedicated and passionate about making a difference for every child that attends Dovecote School, both now and in the future.