Devon School

I joined Devon School 9 years ago as a teacher and over the years have progressed to a number of roles including English Lead, SENDCo, Deputy Headteacher and most recently, Headteacher.

I am incredibly proud of the team at Devon School and committed to achieving the best outcomes for both our students and staff. Over the past 4 years, the team have worked hard to move the school forward. I feel that our OFSTED rating of Good with an outstanding feature for Personal Development is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.

I am committed to the continued development of the school and strive to provide the very the best for our students.

I have worked in education for over 20 years in a range of provisions including mainstream primary, a pupil referral unit and a secondary SEMH provision. I moved to an SEMH provision after becoming disillusioned by the expectations placed on young people in mainstream education who required a different level and a different kind of support.

My roles have included Literacy Lead, Pastoral Lead, SENDCo and most recently, Assistant Headteacher. The team at Devon School share my passion for making a difference to the lives of our young people and working closely with families to create a strong support network for every child.

I have worked within SEMH education for over 10 years and have always had a particular passion for working with young people outdoors and engaging them in the world around them.

As someone who found school challenging growing up, I have always used my own experience of education to benefit others and provide opportunities that enrich the lives of the young people I am fortunate to work with. As Assistant Headteacher of our Buckfastleigh site, I am excited to continue our journey and further develop our vocational offer.

I have worked mainly in primary education for over thirty years. Throughout my career, I have worked in schools where inclusivity has been at the heart of the core values. However, the pressures of mainstream education have made this increasingly difficult. After leaving my primary teaching role, I worked in SEMH and SEND settings, realising the value of this child-centred approach and have been fortunate to be accepted for a teaching role at Devon School.

I have been a class teacher, team leader and English lead and have also led Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. I have also taken a year out of class to lead teacher training.

I am an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher who has worked in a variety of school settings. This has helped me to be able to create a structured and supportive environment where students have the ability to build confidence, resilience and independence alongside their mathematical understanding. I prioritise both academic progress and the development of social skills by promoting positive communication and gaining positive relationships with all students, which has helped me tailor lessons to suit the needs of each individual to ensure that maths is accessible and engaging for every learner.

I joined Devon School 9 years ago to run the science department after over 20 years in mainstream secondary education (teaching science, maths and PE) and another 20 years running my own HiFi retail business. A lifetime of experiences has allowed me to understand how SEND schools need to adapt their teaching to cater for the needs of their students.

I am proud to say that the vast majority of our students find themselves happy and able to tackle all of the science disciplines. The mainstream core curriculum is followed, all the way from KS2 up to and including GCSE level, where the students are entered for the AQA double-award in Combined Science. We strive to make the curriculum relevant to the wider world and to give the students confidence in tackling topics which they may have previously thought were beyond them.

I joined Devon School over 9 years ago after training as a Speech and Language Therapist. During my time here, I also went on to qualify in CBT and I use all aspects of my training to provide a variety of therapeutic interventions for our students. Wellbeing is my passion and I believe that it is the foundation to learning. My aim is to strengthen that foundation and give our students the necessary tools to manage in their school life and beyond; helping them to achieve their full potential.

I joined Devon School 14 years ago and throughout my journey here, I have used my knowledge and experience in various roles including maths teacher, Lead Thrive Practitioner, Careers Lead and most recently, Senior Mental Health Lead.

Prior to my time at Devon School, I spent 10 years in HM Forces, which gave me invaluable insights into leadership, resilienceand the importance of supporting others. My passion lies in understanding students’ potential and helping them unlock and achieve their best, both academically and personally.

With over 20 years in education, I have spent the last 16 years teaching History, Geography, and R.E. at Key Stages 3 and 4. I have also held Subject Lead roles in A-Level Sociology, Business Studies, Critical Thinking, and BTEC Psychology. My experience as a form tutor (Years 7–13) includes close collaboration with SEND specialists to support inclusive learning. Before qualifying as a History teacher in 2010, I worked in EFL, as a Teaching Assistant, and as a Cover Supervisor. I am dedicated to delivering adaptive learning that enables pupils to understand the world, pursue their interests, and achieve their full potential.

I began working at Devon School in 2019 and have loved being part of such a creative and supportive community. I have always been passionate about the arts, having studied Art, Design and Crafts at GCSE, BTEC, A Level and Degree level. Alongside my role as Art Instructor, I continue to work as a professional artist and illustrator, with my work reaching audiences internationally.

I also hold a Diploma in Holistic Therapies, which includes a Counselling by a Therapist certificate. I find that this background greatly benefits my work with our SEMH students, helping me to approach each lesson with empathy, understanding and a focus on emotional wellbeing. I believe that creativity and a holistic approach go hand in hand, enabling students to build confidence, self-expression and a sense of pride in their achievements.

I am a dedicated and passionate PE Instructor at Devon School, specialising in supporting students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. With a background in physical education and a deep understanding of the connection between movement and mental well-being, I create a safe, inclusive and engaging environment where students can develop confidence, resilience and teamwork skills.

Believing in the power of sport and physical activity to enhance emotional regulation and social skills, I tailor my lessons to meet the unique needs of each student. Whether through team games, mindfulness exercises or individual challenges, I encourage students to find joy in movement and take pride in their achievements.

I work closely with pastoral staff to ensure a holistic approach to student wellbeing, reinforcing positive behaviours and helping develop students’ self-esteem. My goal is to inspire young people to develop lifelong, healthy habits- physically, emotionally and socially.

I have always enjoyed tinkering with computer systems, hardware and software in my spare time and I will be undertaking an apprenticeship in ICT for Teacher training to earn my Qualified Teacher Status soon. I particularly enjoy anything related to 3d printing, artificial intelligence and current computer systems hardware. My Batchelors degree is in Social Work and my educational setting background is in neurodiversity in mentoring students and improving academic attainment. I take a strengths-based approach to understanding how to engage my students and I really believe that a positive teacher-student relationship leads to the most effective learning.

I joined Devon school in the summer of 2025. I have previously worked in a number of educational settings both SEMH provisions and mainstream schools. I have always tried to create a fun and enthusiastic environment to help young people to excel academically and socially through a platform tailored to their unique needs and passions. I am eager to continue my journey with the school, empowering students through robust wellbeing initiatives that pave the way for them to truly thrive and excel.

I joined the school in 2022 as a Catering Instructor, bringing with me a background in mental health and the experience of running my own cafe. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time sharing a passion for cooking and nutrition with our students, I have since transitioned into the role of Forest School Leader.

This path allows me to blend my previous expertise with the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors at our beautiful Buckfastleigh site. I am passionate about teaching practical skills that empower students, helping them master new challenges and build the resilience and confidence that come from a deep, hands-on connection with nature.

I have worked in education for 28 years. I have had a number or roles which have included management and leadership roles as well as teaching. I have a great deal of experience working with SEND students as well as those with SEMH needs. I have held a Safeguarding Level 3 certificate for the last seven years and have had an active role as a Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

I have worked with mainstream students as well as those based at alternative provisions. I managed an english, maths and IT department for 8 years, where I managed the delivery, examinations and the IQA process.

I am passionate about education and believe that there are no barriers to prevent you from gaining the best education.

I have worked at Devon school for over four years as a Teaching Assistant, supporting students in their academic and personal development. I am committed to creating a positive learning environment and helping pupils reach their full potential.

I enjoy working at Devon school and value being part of a supportive team.

I recently joined Devon School as a Teaching Assistant. I’m passionate about students getting the best out of education, no matter their circumstances, and how we, as teachers, can help and enable them to do so. I love to read and also love getting involved in all aspects of school life. It’s great fun!

I have experience working in a variety of educational settings, including schools that support students with Special Educational Needs. My background has allowed me to develop a flexible and inclusive approach to learning, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive. I recently joined Devon School, and I am excited to contribute to the school community by fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for our students.

I joined Devon School as a Teaching Assistant in September 2025 and feel passionately about providing young people with the best platform to improve in both their academic and social skills whilst supporting their individual needs, passions and interests. I have previously worked within SEMH settings as a Learning Support Assistant and have worked closely with young people for the last 4 years in Sports Coaching roles. I am excited to continue my support within the School to support both mental and physical wellbeing and aid all students in fulfilling their full potential.

I recently joined Devon School as a teaching assistant, I have 9 years of experience working in a range of educational settings, including nurseries, primary schools, and supporting children with additional needs and vulnerable young people. I am passionate about supporting each child’s individual needs with compassion, empathy and understanding, ensuring they feel valued and supported. I am excited to begin my journey at the Devon School and contribute to the school community.