Our Staff

Our staff are a dedicated team who have vast experience supporting pupils with Autism, Asperger’s, social, communication learning difficulties and moderate learning difficulties. We have a high staff to pupil ratio across the school with the flexibility to teach in small classes, small groups and the expertise to provide bespoke interventions.

Senior Leadership Team

Headteacher

Katherine Johnson

Katherine has been a teacher for 24 years with the last 11 dedicated to the SEN sector. She has vast experience working with a range of pupils with different needs such as PMLD, MLD, SLCN and Autism. She successfully completed NPQH in January 2017. Katherine is passionate about improving the life chances of pupils with additional needs through the schools’ ambitious curriculum that does not limit their potential. She works closely with the Local Authority in shaping the future of special needs provision across the city. She has fought for 6 years to change the designation of the school to cover both an increased age range and an increased number on roll to reflect the local and national demand for specialist provision for SEND.

Deputy Headteacher

Julie Wickenden

Julie is a very experienced teacher who has an impressive career history including 12 years as part of the senior leadership team at a local outstanding school. Her expertise is linked to ensuring high quality teaching and learning and she has an excellent knowledge of child protection and safeguarding. She is also responsible for our curriculum and is passionate about wellbeing of staff and students, inclusive education and challenge for all.

SLT

Vickie Hulme

Vickie is part of our Senior Leadership Team responsible for Pupil Progress . Vickie is an experienced SEND teacher who has recently joined us from Kelvin Hall School. She has responsibility for leading English Language and Literature across our secondary classes. Vickie also teaches Media and Animation.

SLT

Claire Roberts

Claire is part of our Senior Leadership team responsible for Professional Progress and Staff development. She has a vast amount of experience working with PGCE students at Hull University and is a skilled maths specialist.

SLT

Jo Richardson

Jo is part of our Senior Leadership Team responsible for Pastoral Progress. She is an experienced SEND teacher who has worked most recently in our nurture classes. She has responsibility for leading Year 6 to 7 transition for our pupils and those in our feeder schools. Jo is passionate about helping complex cases and improving whole school attendance by challenging absence.

Class Team

Year 7

Mae Grainger

Mae is a new member of staff to the school. She is incredibly talented despite being early in her career. Mae is based in Year 7 and is the tutor in our primary model of 7A

Year 7

Billy Winfield

Billy is a newly qualified member of teaching staff, who has recently successfully completed the University of Hull Assessment only route. He is also and 7B’s tutor. He was a level 3 TA previously and has a vast amount of experience working with SEN pupils, and we are proud that he is continuing his professional career in our community.

TLR for UTW/ Year 8

James Berridge

James is an experienced secondary teacher who is our TLR holder for Understanding the World. He has a vast amount of experience with inclusion and young adults with SEND. He is also 8A’s tutor.

TLR Holder for English / Year 8

Kim Garrett

Kim is our TLR holder for English. She is also the tutor for 8B. She is an experienced secondary English teacher who also enjoys delivering Media and Drama.

Year 9

Julia Brown

Julia is experienced working with young adults with SEN. Julia is the tutor for 9A. Julia is part of our Understanding the World team.

Year 9

Joe Routh

Joe is a member of our Maths and statistics teaching staff, as well as 9b’s tutor. He was a level 3 TA previously and has a vast amount of experience working with SEN pupils.

Food Technology/ Year 10

Phoebe Grannon

Phoebe is currently embarking on her assessment only programme, supported by Red Kite. She is a passionate SEND teacher, focussing on Food Technology. Phoebe works with our young people to become independent and self-sufficient with skills and knowledge.

Maths TLR Holder / Year 10

Katie Barker

Katie is our Maths TLR holder and experienced staff coach. She is part of our extended leadership team and has just joined us from a highly successful mainstream secondary background. She is the class tutor for 10B

TLR Holder for Science / Year 11

Mark Roberts

Mark is a highly experienced scientist who is our TLR holder for science. He is also 11A’s tutor.

ICT Teacher/Year 11

Jim Medlam

Jim is currently embarking on his assessment only programme, supported by Red Kite. He is a passionate SEND teacher, focussing on ICT. Jim works with our young people to make sure they have the knowledge and skills to be able to stay safe online and learn skills vital for their future in education, employment or independent living.

TLR Vocational Lead / Year 11

Andy Nutbrown

Andy is 11b’s form tutor. Andy teaches PE and Maths up to and including GCSE. He is on our Extended Leadership Team and is currently TLR holder for vocational subjects and PE. Andy is interested in helping our pupils make healthier lifestyle choices and also runs our breakfast club.

Nurture 1

Sharon Smith

Sharon is the lead in Nurture 1. This provision is for a pupils with a range of complex needs who’s priority is being ready to learn.

Nurture 2

Chris Etheridge

Chris is a long-standing member of school staff, who has taught a variety of ages and subjects in recent years. He is Nurture 2’s tutor. Chris is a caring SEND teacher who forms part of our nurture provision for those who need additional support.

Nurture 3

Jo Richardson/Deborah Goodfellow

Deborah and Jo lead our Nurture 3 class for pupils in KS4 who need more support. This group focusses on next steps, literacy and numeracy and independence.

PSHE coordinator/Year 12

Richard Nichols

Richard is a responsible form delivering PSHE across the school. He also works 1-1 for pupils around SRE and those struggling with engagement. Richard has a vast amount of SEND experience; he is also a member of the Extended Leadership Team and is Year 12’s tutor.

Sixth Form

Amy Middleton

Amy is an experienced member of staff who is working in our new Sixth Form. Amy is passionate about building independence, enterprise and community.

Sixth Form

Amy Goldspink

Amy is an experienced member of staff who is working in our new Sixth Form. Amy is passionate about building independence, enterprise and community.

Little Blossoms Lead

Lizzy Norrie

Lizzy is an experienced EYFS practitioner and former ASD Outreach support who is leading our Little Blossoms provision. Lizzy and her team pride themselves on creating a bespoke, ASD friendly multi sensory environment and curriculum for those younger pupils who are identified as needing an EYFS learning approach.

Primary

Kerry Looker

Kerry teaches our Primary class which has pupils who are in key-stage two. Kerry is a passionate and creative teacher with a significant amount of primary SEND experience. Kerry regularly leads on drama and music projects within the school, such as Colours of Music.

Catch up intervention teacher

Sarah Caley

Sarah delivers our catch up intervention programme. She also supports KS4 with their off site options programme through our local colleges and providers.

Intervention Teacher

Emma Harris

Emma teaches English. Emma is also passionate about narrowing gaps and is part of our interventions programme and 1-1 support.