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
  • Miglena Gencheva

    Upper School Lead

  • Department leadership and development
  • Line Management/teaching and learning development
  • Pupil Progress
  • Annual reviews
  • DDSL
  • Post-16 Progression
  • Exams and Accreditation Co-ordination
  • Work Experience (Pupils)
  • 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

    Amanda Jebb

    Personal Care and Independence Lead

    Chloe Flack

    Personal Care and Independence Lead

    Amanda Jebb

    Social, Emotional Well-Being Lead

    Chloe Flack

    Social, Emotional Well-Being Lead

    Aaron Spalding

    Physical Development Lead

    Jo Turner

    Sensory Lead

    Hazel Bone

    Numeracy Lead

    Wendy Shannon

    Literacy Lead

    Alice Moon

    Literacy Lead

    Laura Goodfellow

    Understanding the World

    Miglena Gencheva

    Arts Lead

    Karen Ludlow

    Arts Lead (Music)

    Rachel Brooke

    Science and Technology Lead

    Richard Smith

    Science and Technology Lead

    Laura Templeman

    Blackbirds Class

    Assessment Nursery and Reception

    Claire McCarthy

    Kelly Elmy

    Bernadette McKenna

    Kerry Woodgate

    Inga Nogobode

    Karen Daldry

    Chloe Flack

    Nightingales Class

    Reception and Key Stage 1

    Jasmine Betts

    Christine Compton

    Amy Tildesley

    Julie Singleton

    Inga Nogobode

    Emma Prime

    Sophie Payne

    Swifts Class (M-W)

    Key Stage 1

    Laura Kerrison

    Abigail Rudge

    Theresa Ferguson

    Lisa Hurren

    Amy Branaghan

    Mel Armstrong

    Swifts Class (Th-Fr)

    Key Stage 1

    Lauren Kerrison

    Abigail Rudge

    Theresa Ferguson

    Donna Cartwright

    Lisa Hurren

    Amy Branaghan

    Jo Turner

    Goldfinches Class

    Key Stage 1

    Samantha Bradbrook

    Luke Sayle

    Emma Stewart

    Maria Newman

    Donna Cartwright

    Lisa Hurren

    Amy Branaghan

    Karen Ludlow

    Sandpipers Class

    Key Stage 2

    Helen Cudmore

    Sally Faiers

    Siew Yu Ting

    Sarah Oliver

    Sonya Perry

    Hazel Bone

    Avocets Class

    Key Stage 2

    Rachel Shave

    Joe Lavington

    Claire Trewern

    Rebecca Cowan

    Sarah Oliver

    Sonya Perry

    Dawn Powell

    Rachel Brooke

    Lapwings Class

    Key Stage 3

    Victoria Bean

    Tracy Butler

    Jasmine Marjoram

    Laura Young

    Megan Smith

    Redshanks Class

    Key Stage 3

    Crystal Mann

    Zoe Wilkinson

    Leah Frost

    Jasmine Marjoram

    Laura Young

    Richard Smith

    Falcons Class

    Key Stage 3 and 4

    Renata Bengtson

    Samuel Fairweather

    Hayley Reilly

    Cristiane Maciel

    Kelly Frost

    Kelly Clarke

    Faye Pyecroft

    Merlins Class

    Key Stage 4

    Amanda Cobb

    Sue Friend

    Zoe Long

    Kelly Frost

    Kelly Clarke

    Aaron Spalding

    Ospreys Class

    Key Stage 3/4

    Sue Bound

    Erika Inansci

    Layla Sadler

    Vicci Webb

    Katie Doncaster

    Rebecca Cowen

    Dawn Powell

    Alice Moon

    Buzzards Class (M-W)

    Key Stage 3/4

    Kirsha Francis

    Selena Outram

    Olivia Woodmansee

    Olivia Haggar

    Cristiane Maciel

    Katie Doncaster

    Rebecca Cowen

    Dawn Powell

    Wendy Shannon

    Buzzards Class (Th,F)

    Key Stage 3/4

    Kirsha Francis

    Selena Outram

    Olivia Woodmansee

    Olivia Haggar

    Katie Doncaster

    Dawn Powell

    Stacey Hammond

    Cover Supervisor

    Charlotte Gooderham

    Moving and Handling Instructor

    Joe Lavington

    Supply Cover Supervisor

    Suzie Hawkins

    Lead Specialist Support Assistant

    Kelly Root

    Health Care Assistant

    Danielle Hayward

    Health Care Assistant

    Jodie Cook

    Swimming Instructor

    Rachel Shave

    Play Leader

    Josie Smith

    Lead Midday Supervisor

    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.