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 Willson

Katherine has been a teacher for 19 years with the last 6 dedicated to the SEN sector. She has experience working with a range of pupils with different needs from PMLD to MLD and Autism. She successfully completed NPQH in January 2017 and is passionate about improving the life chances for pupils with additional needs. She works closely with the University of Hull Teacher Education programme as an advisor and is supporting the Local Authority in shaping the future of special needs provision across the city.

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 inclusive education and challenge for all.

Assistant Headteacher

Beth Lane

Beth is an experienced SEN teacher who is responsible for promoting Mental Health and Well-being in the school. She also manages pupil voice and runs the school council.

Assistant Headteacher

Hannah Mackley

Hannah is responsible for leading the schools ASD outreach service. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience teaching and advising ASD specific strategies in school and across the city.

Class Team

Year 11

Emma Pratt

Emma is 11b’s form tutor. Emma has a significant amount of SEND experience; she teaches and leads on Science. Emma, as a biology specialist, is interested in how we develop our pupils understanding of themselves and the world around them. Emma is also part of our Extended Leadership Team.

Year 11

Emma Harris

Emma is 11a’s form tutor. Emma teaches English and Life-skills to our older pupils. Emma is also passionate about PE and enjoys teaching some of our more vulnerable pupils Physical Literacy; she also teaches PE to our Primary classes.

Year 10

Andy Nutbrown

Andy is 10b’s form tutor. Andy teaches PE and Maths up to and including GCSE. He is on our Extended Leadership Team and is currently leading on both Maths and PE. Andy is interested in helping our pupils make healthier lifestyle choices and also runs our breakfast club.

Year 10

Vickie Hulme

Vickie is 10a’s form tutor. 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. She is on our Extended Leadership Team.

Year 9

Kim Whitaker

Kim is class 9’s form tutor. Kim is an experienced secondary maths teacher and is relatively new to Northcott. She teaches Maths and particularly enjoys teaching a wide range of abilities at key-stage 4 up to and including GCSE. Kim also teaches life-skills.

Year 8

Chris Etheridge

Chris is class 8’s form tutor. Chris is an experienced, caring SEND teacher. Chris teaches English Language and English Literature at key-stage 3. Chris is also our ICT specialist and teaches ICT to all our secondary classes. Chris is also a teacher governor.

Year 7

Hannah Gibson-Matthews

Hannah is class 7’s tutor. Hannah has a significant amount of experience supporting vulnerable young people. As a Humanities specialist she enjoys teaching History in a very interactive way. She also teaches Geography and Art in our Primary and Provision classes.

Provision Three

Catherine Wittey

Catherine teaches the pupils in Provision Three. In this class pupils begin to prepare for entering into our main school classes and often have a bespoke integration timetable. Catherine is determinedly passionate about making every lesson accessible for every child.

Provision Two

Jo Richardson

Jo teaches the pupils in Provision Two which provides a nurturing environment and a bespoke curriculum for pupils with complex needs. Jo has a significant amount of primary school experience; as a member of our Extended Leadership Team she leads on Literacy and Numeracy in our primary.

Provision One

Richard Nichols

Richard leads the learning in Provision One in which our staff deliver bespoke timetables for pupils with complex needs. Richard is also responsible for teaching and learning in all three provision classes. Richard has a vast amount of SEND experience; he is also a member of the Extended Leadership Team and provides support across the school for pupils with behavioural difficulties.

Primary Three

Jonathon Ellis

Jonathon teaches Primary Three which has pupils who are mainly at key-stage two in terms of ability or age. Jonathon is currently completing his Masters in Special Education and Inclusion. He particularly enjoys teaching literacy and creative writing.

Primary Two

Kerry Looker

Kerry teaches Primary Two which has pupils who are in key-stage one, either by age or ability level. 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 Rock Challenge and Colours of Music.

Primary One

Emma West

Emma teaches Primary One which is our youngest primary class. Emma is an innovative teacher who is passionate about outdoor learning and learning through play. She is in charge of Early Years and Foundation Subjects and is a member of our Extended Leadership Team.