Staff and Structure
Helen Dickenson
Co-Principal
Emily Webster
Co-Principal
Amanda Jebb
EYFS and Lower School Lead
Laura Goodfellow
Middle School Lead
Miglena Gencheva
Upper School Lead
Teresa Frost
Business Manager
Ian Lipman
Operations Manager
Wasim Butt
Education Director OAT
Sophie Payne
Communication and Interaction Lead
Amanda Jebb
Social, Emotional Well-Being Lead & Personal Care and Independence Lead
Aaron Spalding
Physical Development Lead
Alice Moon
Literacy Lead
Hazel Bone
Numeracy Lead
Jo Turner
Sensory Lead
Miglena Gencheva
Careers Lead
Miglena Gencheva
Arts Lead (Visual Arts & Drama)
Wendy Shannon
Arts Lead (Music)
Rachel Brooke
Science and Technology Lead (Tech)
Richard Smith
Science and Technology Lead (Science)
Laura Goodfellow
Understanding the World
Jo O’Neill (M, T, Th, F)
Blackbirds Class
Assessment Nursery
Chloe Flack (M-F)
Nightingales Class
Reception and Key Stage 1
Laura Templeman (W-F)
Swifts Class
Key Stage 1
Faye Pyecroft (M -W)
Swifts Class
Key Stage 1
Sarah Hacking (M-F)
Goldfinches
Key Stage 1
Hazel Bone {T-F)
Redshanks Class
Key Stage 2
Chelsea Easter-Cross (M, T, Th, F)
Lapwings Class
Key Stage 2
Rachel Brooke (M-F)
Sandpipers Class
Key Stage 2
Richard Smith (M-F)
Avocets Class
Key Stage 2
Alice Moon (M-W)
Falcons Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Aaron Spalding (Th – F)
Falcons Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Emma Le-Roy (Th am, F)
Ospreys Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Megan Smith (M, T, W, Th pm)
Ospreys Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Megan Smith (M)
Merlins Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Sophie Payne (M-W)
Buzzards Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Jo Turner (W-F)
Merlins Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Emma Le-Roy (T)
Merlins Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Sophie Payne (Th-F)
Buzzards Class
Key Stage 3 and 4
Joe Lavington
Supply Cover Supervisor & Rebound Therapist
Kelly Elmy
Cover Supervisor
Macey Larkin
Cover Supervisor
Melissa Suckling
Cover Supervisor
Samuel Fairweather
Cover Supervisor & Rebound Therapist
Claire Trewern
Cover Supervisor & Lego Therapist
Suzie Hawkins
Lead Specialist Support Assistant
Kelly Root
Health Care Assistant
Danielle Hayward
Health Care Assistant
Jodie Cook
Swimming Instructor
Samantha Bradbrook
Swimming Instructor & Rebound Therapist
Joe Lavington
Swimming Instructor
Rachel Shave
Play Leader
Josie Smith
Lead Midday Supervisor
Charlotte Gooderham
Moving & Handling Instructor
| Physiotherapy Lead Ellie Saunders | Occupational Therapy Lead Sarah Williams | Speech and Language Therapy Lead Rachel Wickson | Music Therapist Jack McKnight |
| Physiotherapists Hadas Shaw Anna Baker Harriet Mallender Physiotherapy Technicians Sue Jeffs Amy Baker | Occupational Therapists Cassie Brill Fiona Mitchell Occupational Therapy Technicians Holly Pledger Maia McClaughlin | Speech & Language Therapy Team Speech & Language Therapists Holly Andrews Hattie Smith Charlie Fitch Anna Dickinson | SCARC Della Chubb Liz Keegan Sarah Wishlade Rebecca Taylor Lianne Stewart Alison Menzies |
| SPLSA Leads Olivia Rudland Natalie Bowerman Kate Heron | Medical Paediatric Consultants Dr Dass Dr Stanuta Special School Nurse Lead Jo Leek Dietician s Marie Chapman’ Lindsey Mowles Nutricia Nurse Lorna Pyecroft | Specialist Support Team MSI, VI, HI Head of Service Kim Hodge Hollie Osborne (VI) Sue McCrone (HI) Lydia Garside (Habilitation Officer_ | Therapy Administator Jo Whiting |
| SPLSA Leads Olivia Rudland Natalie Bowerman Kate Heron | SPLSAs TBC | SPLSAs TBC | Intervenors Intervenor Lead Tanya Turner Intervenors Amy Bond Amelia Hale Kirsty Goodchild Janice Richards Vicci Webb |
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.