Staff and Structure

Helen Dickenson

Co-Principal

Upper School Lead

  • Strategic Lead Teaching and Learning
  • Careers Lead and Post 16 Transition
  • Exams and Accreditation
  • Medical Needs Lead
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Designated Teacher for LAC
  • CPD Lead
  • Staffing and Organistion
  • ITT/ECT Lead
  • Multi-disciplinary Liaison
  • HOD Development Lead
  • Admissions
  • School Development
  • Emily Webster

    Co-Principal

    Upper School Lead

  • Strategic Lead Curriculum
  • Strategic Lead Assessment
  • Attendance Lead
  • Strategic ICT Lead and Compliance
  • Data Protection Lead
  • Health and Safety and Estates
  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • EHCPs and Annual Reviews
  • Staffing and Recruitment
  • Admin and Supporting Staff Teams Lead
  • Transport Liaison
  • Admissions
  • School Development
  • Amanda Jebb

    EYFS and Lower School Lead

  • Department Leadership and Development
  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Whole School Lead Behaviour and Attitudes
  • Stakeholder Voice Lead
  • Admissions
  • Whole School Development
  • Laura Goodfellow

    Middle School Lead

  • Department Leadership and Development
  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Whole School Lead Enrichment
  • Cover Supervisor Development
  • Educational Visits Coordinator
  • Whole School Development
  • Teresa Frost

    Business Manager

  • Finance
  • Office Manager
  • Ian Lipman

    Operations Manager

  • Estates
  • Health and Safety
  • Compliance
  • Wasim Butt

    Education Director OAT

  • Lead implementation of OAT education strategy for school improvement – Alternative Provisions and Special Schools
  • Lead partnership working across OAT Alternative Provisions and Special Schools
  • Karen Ludlow

    Communication and Interaction Lead

    Sophie Payne

    Communication and Interaction Lead (maternity leave)

    Shared Role

    Physical Development Lead (temporary)

    Amanda Jebb

    Social, Emotional Well-Being Lead

    Amanda Jebb

    Personal Care and Independence Lead

    Jo Turner

    Sensory Lead

    Karen Ludlow

    Sensory Lead

    Emily Webster

    Literacy Lead (temporary)

    Rachel Brooke

    Numeracy Lead

    Aaron Spalding

    Science and Technology Lead

    Laura Templeman

    Science and Technology Lead

    Laura Goodfellow

    Understanding the World Lead (temporary)

    Karen Ludlow

    Arts Lead

    Helen Dickenson

    Arts Lead (temporary)

    Amanda Jebb

    Blackbirds Class

    Assessment Nursery

    Kelly Elmy

    Claire McCarthy

    Karen Daldry

    Chloe Flack

    Nightingales Class

    Reception and Key Stage 1

    Lauren Kerrison

    Amy Tildesley

    Zoe Wilkinson (M, Th, F)

    Lisa Hurren

    Laura Templeman

    Swifts Class

    Key Stage 1

    Juliette

    Bev Cork

    Letitia Goddard

    Victoria Bean

    Mel Armstrong

    Sandpipers Class

    Key Stage 2

    Emma Hasnip

    Selena Outram (M-Th)

    Julie Singleton

    Kerry Woodgate

    Karen Ludlow

    Goldfinches Class (M-Th)

    Key Stage 1

    Joe Lavington

    Crystal Mann

    Maria Newman

    Sherelle Curtis

    Laura Frost

    Goldfinches Class (F)

    Key Stage 1

    Joe Lavington

    Crystal Mann

    Olivia Woodmansee

    Sherelle Curtis

    Jo Turner

    Lapwings Class

    Key Stage 2

    Teresa Ferguson

    Pippa Goodwyn

    Vicci Webb

    Katie Doncaster (M-Th)

    Hazel Bone

    Avocets Class (T-F)

    Key Stage 2

    Sue Bound (M, T)

    Kim Coombes (W-F)

    Claire Kilbourn

    Emma Steward

    Amy Branaghan

    Richard Smith

    Avocets (M)

    Key Stage 2

    Sue Bound (M, T)

    Kim Coombes (W-F)

    Claire Kilbourn

    Emma Steward

    Amy Branaghan

    Rachel Brooke

    Redshanks Class

    Key Stage 2/3

    Christine Lay

    Bernie McKenna

    Rachel Shave

    Laura Young

    Sophie Ravenhall (M-W)

    Buzzards Class

    Key Stage 3/4

    Kirsha Francis

    Sue Hawkins

    Hayley Reilley

    Joe Marsh

    Kelly Clarke

    Wendy Shannon (Th, F)

    Buzzards Class

    Key Stage 3/4

    Kirsha Francis

    Sue Hawkins

    Hayley Reilley

    Joe Marsh

    Kelly Clarke

    Aaron Spalding

    Ospreys Class

    Key Stage 3

    Layla Sadler

    Amanda Cobb

    Sam Bradbrook

    Sarah Oliver

    Faye Pyecroft

    Merlins Class Key

    Stage 3/4

    Helen Cudmore

    Zoe Long

    Jasmin Marjoram

    Rebecca Cowan (T, W)

    Kelly Frost (Th)

    Megan Smith

    Falcons Class

    Key Stage 4

    Sally Faiers

    Sue Friend

    Kelly Frost (M, T, Th, F)

    Sonya Perry (M, W-f)

    Stacey Hammond

    Cover Supervisor

    Charlotte Stephenson

    Cover Supervisor

    Charlotte Gooderham

    Moving and Handling Instructor

    Danielle Hayward

    Health Care Assistant

    Kelly Root

    Health Care Assistant

    Rachel Shave

    Play Leader

    Josie Smith

    Lead Midday Supervisor

    Jodie Cook

    Swimming Instructor

    A Multi-Professional Environment

    We work in a multi-professional environment. NHS therapy teams, (physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists) are based at, and fully integrated into, the life of the academy. We employ a music therapist two days a week and SCARC, (Suffolk Communication Aids Resource Centre) is also based here. Other teams of professionals that you will see around the academy include the Intervenor team (who support children with multi-sensory impairments) and the SPLSA team (Specialist Learning Support Assistants) (who support children with complex medical needs).

    Visiting Professionals and Volunteers

    There are many other professionals who visit regularly to run clinics or carry out work with individuals. These include social workers, specialist sensory teachers, pediatricians, dieticians, nurses, psychologists, behaviour specialists and wheelchair services. Holding clinics and other1:1 sessions in school minimizes the impact appointments have on children’s time in school.

    We recognize the uniqueness of our setting and are passionate about increasing the visibility of our children and young people both within the local community and wider society as a whole. Opening our doors to volunteers as well as other professionals for training purposes is essential for promoting inclusion and improving the life chances and experiences of our children and their families. We have a continuous programme of students and volunteers in school and a lot of positive feedback about their time with us. If you are seeking a volunteer or student placement, please contact our volunteer coordinator Amanda Jebb.

    Academy-employed staff – our pastoral classes

    Team-work is essential to the effective running of the academy. There are several teams across school who work in a coordinated way to meet the diverse needs of our learners. Teams are organised around pastoral classes. Each class has a team of SSAs (Special Support Assistants) who remain with the class throughout the day and support with teaching and learning as well as care needs. We also have a care team who support with the intimate care needs of each child or young person. They may be attached to a class or work across a key stage.

    The pastoral teacher, (or teachers if part-time) is responsible for coordinating the pastoral and educational needs of the children in his/her class. Whilst remaining responsible for their pastoral group, secondary teachers work across the key stage, (or wider). This increased exposure to a range of teachers is one way in which we prepare our children and young people for life beyond school.

    The Heads of Department have a key role across school, supporting and coordinating all staff within their departments. In addition to holding wider whole-school responsibilities, they are Safeguarding Leads and mentors for the teachers in their key stage. They play an essential part in developing the teaching and learning across the academy.

    Our curriculum leads have a key role in ensuring that the intent of our curriculum is implemented and impactful.

    Academy-employed staff – other teams and roles

    There are many other essential roles across school which support our children and young people including health-care assistants, a moving and handling instructor, a playworker and midday supervisors. Our friendly office team will be able to guide you to relevant person for any enquiries you may have.