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

Katherine Johnson
Headteacher

Katherine Johnson

Katherine has been a teacher for 26 years with the last 14 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 2016. 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 is determined in providing an offer for all the young people in the school that is second to none and to work with the LA on capacity,  reflecting the local and national demand for specialist provision for SEND.

Lisa Allen
Deputy Head Teacher and DSL

Lisa Allen

Lisa is an experienced Senior Leader and secondary teacher who has worked locally in numerous different settings including a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), and secondary mainstream schools.  She was most recently seconded to support and guide Alternative Resource Centres (ARC’s) for a large Academy Trust.  Lisa joins the school to lead our safeguarding team as DSL and as Deputy Head Teacher.  She is committed to ensuring all young people feel safe, valued, have their wider needs met and achieve their best.

Julie Wickenden P/T
Deputy Headteacher

Julie Wickenden P/T

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.

Jo Richardson
Assistant Head Teacher

Jo Richardson

Jo is part of our Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Head Teacher leading the pastoral team. She is an experienced SEND teacher who has worked most recently in our nurture classes. She has responsibility for leading our Pastoral Team and 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.

Chris Etheridge
Lead Practitioner for Complex Learning Pathways/ LNG

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 part of our leadership team as Lead Practitioner for Complex Learning Pathways. Chris is also Learning Nurture groups teacher. Chris is a caring SEND teacher who forms part of our nurture provision for those who need additional support.

Class Team

Chris Etheridge
Lead Practitioner for Complex Learning Pathways/ LNG

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 part of our leadership team as Lead Practitioner for Complex Learning Pathways. Chris is also Learning Nurture groups teacher. Chris is a caring SEND teacher who forms part of our nurture provision for those who need additional support.

Andy Nutbrown
TLR Vocational Lead / Post 16

Andy Nutbrown

Andy manages and oversees out Post 16 provision. Andy teaches PE up to and including GCSE. He is on our Extended Leadership Team and is currently TLR Holder for Post 16. Andy is interested in helping our pupils make healthier lifestyle choices and also runs our breakfast club.

James Berridge
TLR for UTW/ Year 10

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 10B’s tutor.

Jade Fraser P/T
Primary model Science and STEM TLR Holder

Jade Fraser P/T

Jade is an experience secondary science teacher who heads up our STEM programme in school. She is part of our extended leadership team responsible for science delivered in the primary model and STEM, working 2 days per week.

Rhiannon Sharp
Little Acorns

Rhiannon Sharp

Rhi has recently joined us from Riverside Special School to head up Little Acorns. She is a skilled and experienced SEND teacher with a fabulous energy and a creative spark!

Natasha Barker
Little Saplings

Natasha Barker

Natasha has recently joined us from a mainstream primary and is excited to join our primary as the lead for Little Saplings

Alice Beasley
Art Therapist / Year 9

Alice Beasley

Alice is our resident art specialist who offers art therapy to our pupils as well as BTEC art and Design. She is also the tutor for 9A. Alice is a caring pupil focussed teacher who creates wonderful relationships with all pupils.

Billy Winfield
TLR holder for PSHE /Year 9B

Billy Winfield

Billy is an experienced member of Northcott staff who has been with us for 7 years. He is the teacher in our Vertical Nurture class. Billy is also TLR holder for PSHE.

Mae Grainger
Year 7a

Mae Grainger

Mae is an incredibly talented teacher. Mae is based in Year 7 and is the tutor in our primary model of 7A

Harvey Roberts
Year 7

Harvey Roberts

Harvey is the tutor of 7B. Harvey is a qualified primary teacher and one of our data leads in the school.

Joe Routh
Year 8

Joe Routh

Joe is a member of our Maths and statistics teaching staff, as well as 8b’s tutor. Joe has a vast amount of experience working with SEN pupils.

Jenni Vickerman
Teacher of English/ Year 8

Jenni Vickerman

Jenni has recently joined the school as an English specialist. Jenni is passionate about joining an SEN provision and working with pupils on their foundational knowledge. She is also the tutor for 8A

Sharon Smith
Vertical Nurture Group

Sharon Smith

Sharon is one of the lead staff in the Vertical Nurture Group. She is a very experienced member of staff with vast knowledge of communication, thrive and ASD. The Nurture provision is for a pupils with a range of complex needs whose priority is being ready to learn.

Amie Honour
Vertical Nurture Group

Amie Honour

Amie is one of the lead staff in the Vertical Nurture Group. She is a very experienced member of staff with vast knowledge of communication, thrive and ASD. The Nurture provision is for a pupils with a range of complex needs whose priority is being ready to learn.

Jim Medlam
ICT Teacher/Year 11

Jim Medlam

Jim has recently achieved QTS through our assessment only programme. 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.

Julia Brown
Year 10

Julia Brown

Julia is experienced working with young adults with SEN. Julia is the tutor for 10A. Julia is part of our Understanding the World team, delivering RS, enterprise and project work linked to our schools eco-commitment

Katie Barker
Maths TLR Holder / Year 11

Katie Barker

Katie is our Maths TLR holder and experienced staff coach. She is part of our extended leadership team and joined us from a highly successful mainstream secondary background. She is the joint class tutor for 11B and one of our data leads in the school.

Claire Roberts
Maths Teacher/ Year 11

Claire Roberts

Claire is a skilled maths specialist. Claire has vast experience at Hull University Teacher Education prior to her joining the school. Claire is joint tutor for 11B

Ged Dalton
Sixth Form

Ged Dalton

Ged has recently joined us with significant SEND experience from secondary mainstream. He is the Year 12 tutor . Ged is keen to encourage our pupils to be independent and engage in a variety of exciting opportunities

Amy Goldspink
Sixth Form

Amy Goldspink

Amy is a recently qualified teacher having completed QTLS. Amy is passionate about building independence, enterprise and community. She has created an exciting and vibrant post 16 environment curriculum.

Lynsey Mowforth
Year 14/CEIAG Lead and SEND Careers Advisor

Lynsey Mowforth

Lynsey is our Level 5, Careers Advisor with a vast amount of experience in SEND. She coordinates the work experience programme across the school as well as CEIAG opportunities linked to the Gatsby Benchmarks and heads up the Year 14 team.

Lizzy Norrie
Little Blossoms Lead

Lizzy Norrie

Lizzy is a qualified teacher, 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.

Emma Harris
English/Intervention

Emma Harris

Emma is an English teacher in the school and also provides 1-1, small group and class intervention. She also delves life skills and social skills groups to our pupils.

Extended Leadership Team

Andy Nutbrown
TLR Vocational Lead / Post 16

Andy Nutbrown

Andy manages and oversees out Post 16 provision. Andy teaches PE up to and including GCSE. He is on our Extended Leadership Team and is currently TLR Holder for Post 16. Andy is interested in helping our pupils make healthier lifestyle choices and also runs our breakfast club.

Vickie Hulme
TLR Holder for English

Vickie Hulme

Vickie is part of our extended leadership team responsible for our through-curriculum. Vickie is an experienced SEND teacher. She has responsibility for leading English Language and Literature across our school. In addition, Vickie manages the ECT provision and mentoring at the school and is instrumental in reviewing our curriculum to reflect our changing cohorts.

Mark Roberts
TLR Holder for Science

Mark Roberts

Mark is a highly experienced scientist who is our TLR holder for science.

James Berridge
TLR for UTW/ Year 10

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 10B’s tutor.

Jade Fraser P/T
Primary model Science and STEM TLR Holder

Jade Fraser P/T

Jade is an experience secondary science teacher who heads up our STEM programme in school. She is part of our extended leadership team responsible for science delivered in the primary model and STEM, working 2 days per week.

Billy Winfield
TLR holder for PSHE /Year 9B

Billy Winfield

Billy is an experienced member of Northcott staff who has been with us for 7 years. He is the teacher in our Vertical Nurture class. Billy is also TLR holder for PSHE.

Katie Barker
Maths TLR Holder / Year 11

Katie Barker

Katie is our Maths TLR holder and experienced staff coach. She is part of our extended leadership team and joined us from a highly successful mainstream secondary background. She is the joint class tutor for 11B and one of our data leads in the school.

The Pastoral Team

Debbie Coyle
DDSL/Safeguarding Officer

Debbie Coyle

Debbie is our Deputy DSL and safeguarding officer. Debbie has a vast amount of experience in safeguarding and parent liaison having worked in schools extensively. Debbie is passionate about the wellbeing and welfare for all our pupils with their additional vulnerabilities.

Natasha Ryan
Education Welfare Officer (EWO)

Natasha Ryan

Tash is our EWO. She is passionate about our pupils attendance and reducing disadvantage due to attendance issues. Tash is very experienced in her role and is part of our pastoral team as we cannot safeguard our children if they are not in school.

Connie Lambert
Parent Liaison

Connie Lambert

Connie is part of our pastoral team and has worked at the school for many years. Connie is also the named person for medical needs in school.

Josh Harrison
Hub Team

Josh Harrison

Josh leads the Hub team as a licenced Thrive practitioner and is working towards a Behavioural Psychology degree.
He is passionate about supporting positive developments in behaviour management strategies and targeting key areas of support in children’s emotional intelligence and well-being.
Ryan Laybourne
Hub Team

Ryan Laybourne

Ryan has been part of the pastoral team since 2021. He has as an ELSA qualification. Ryan is going to complete his Thrive Training in the near future.

Ryan has a wealth of knowledge on young people’s mental health, through his work with  Humber and North Yorkshire HCP. Ryan regularly speaks for young people in conferences about Mental Health. Ryan works closely with Speech and language to deliver Friendship groups as well as LEGO group. 

Laura Edwards
Hub Team

Laura Edwards

Laura works as part of the Hub team and is a qualified licenced Thrive practitioner/ Elsa support and has a level 2 qualification in understanding children and young people’s mental health.
Laura is a passionate member of the team working with our children to help promote our student’s emotional resilience, mental health, self-esteem, anger management, anxiety and also works with children who have experienced bereavement.
Karen Sharpe
Hub Team

Karen Sharpe

Karen is an ELSA & Wellbeing Lead. She is very experienced in supporting both pupils and staff with their individual mental health and wellbeing needs, together with co-ordinating our peer mentor and wellbeing ambassador groups. Karen works closely with the 6th form students, offering counselling  when needed and supports parents and carers with different training workshops and themed coffee mornings throughout the year.