Governors & Trustees

Our governors contribute to decision making, support school activities and ensure a clear purpose with good leadership and communication. Our trustees oversee various aspects of the trust’s operations, governance and performance.

Governors

At WHSS, our Governors play an essential role in shaping the school's direction and success. Working closely with the Executive Principal and staff, the governors help ensure the school’s effectiveness and strategic development. Being a governor requires dedication, teamwork, and a willingness to take on shared responsibilities. Our governors contribute to decision-making, support school activities, and ensure a clear purpose with good leadership and communication. They work together to foster a positive and impactful environment for all students and staff.

No team members found for this department.

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Trustees

The Trustees play a pivotal role in overseeing various aspects of the trust's operations, governance, and performance. They are responsible for developing the trust’s vision and strategy, setting the overall direction and goals aligned with the community's educational needs. Additionally, they establish a culture of high educational standards while prioritising staff and student well-being. The Trustees ensure access to a broad and balanced curriculum that caters to the diverse needs and interests of students, and they monitor provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring they have equal access to education.

Using various data sources, the Trustees monitor the educational performance of the school and specialist college within the trust and identify areas for improvement. They engage stakeholders, including parents, students, staff, and the local community, and consider their input as appropriate. Financially, the Trustees approve the budget for the trust and monitor its performance to ensure efficient resource allocation. They also approve and periodically review the school and specialist college policies to ensure compliance with legal requirements and best practices.

Furthermore, the Trustees hold staff accountable for policy implementation and achieving the trust's goals, including the performance management of the principal. They ensure compliance with legal requirements and maintain up-to-date statutory policies and documents. Overseeing the appointment process and performance management of the principal is also within their purview to ensure effective leadership. The Trustees monitor and evaluate the trust's staffing structure to meet educational and operational needs, and they also monitor health and safety practices across the trust to ensure a safe environment for all stakeholders.

No team members found for this department.

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Team at William Henry Smith

At William Henry Smith School & Sixth Form, our strength lies in the people. From leadership and education experts to therapeutic practitioners, care professionals, and administrative staff, every member of our team plays a vital role in nurturing our students' growth.

Head of Education

Jo Sayles

Head of PBS and Joint Lead on Reducing Restrictive Practice

Barrie Campbell 

Head of Curriculum & Personal Development

Amy Carr

Upper School & Literacy Lead

Siobhan Roe

Lower School Lead

Helen Illingworth

School Teachers

Katie Arey, Michelle Bedford, Adele Greenleaf, Brogan Wightman, Ben Asquith, Charlotte Gilpin, Joe Fitzpatrick (UQT), Mike Seager

Outdoor Education Specialist

Liam Rowe

Horticulture & Agriculture Lead

Jack Pickford

Head of LSP Operations and Joint Lead on Reducing Restrictive Practice

Stewart Griffiths (Child Protection Deputy)

Senior Teaching Support Practitioners

Ann-Marie Lehmann, Wendy Marshall, Nicola Wood

Teaching Support Practitioners (TSP)

Sarah Godfrey, Debbie Fitzpatrick, Amy Jones, Daniel Gavin, Shauna Robinson, Richard Stewart, Melanie Bailey, Sheryl Sweeney, Robyn Fawkes, Paula Wright, Pascha Pike, Sharna Palmer, Cad Melbourne, Cath Leeming, Michelle Hare

Learning Support Practitioner (LSP) Supervisors

Camilla Boussaada, Nicole Trew

Learning Support Practitioners

Helene Mellor, Kerry Fitzpatrick-Mullarkey, Stacey Spencer, Momodou Jeng, Stephanie Merritt, Tracy Kirbyson, Terie Gartland, Kath Binns, Danielle Regan, Courtney House, Fintan Wall, Triin Mitchell, Lauren McCamley, Helen Rushby, Emily Clark, Vicki Sewell, Lola Greenwood, Emily Larkin, Lauren Hunt, Melanie Edgar, Mitzie Swaby, Charlotte Stansfield, Emma Matthews, Amy Fryer, Chris Davidson, Aimee Dawson, Laura Parker, Iqra Bashir, Elina Hodgson, Ruth Webster,  Richard Peacock, Nikki Donohoe, Olivia Wilkinson, Victoria Cockcroft, Shannon Kavanaugh, Chloe Blackie, Niall Cummins, Zoe Flynn, Rachel Taylor-Allison, Savana Mills, Adrian Igielski, Yunus Ali

Head of Commissioning

AJ Hemingway

Admissions Lead

Jon McBurney

Admissions Support

Natalie Webster

Admissions Administrator

Rebecca Williams

Psychotherapy Team

Clinical Lead Drama Psychotherapy

Jim Cameron

Clinical Lead Music Psychotherapy

Amy Shipley

Music Therapists

Nick Richards & Ella Cross

Art Therapist

Katie Lo Giudice

Dance & Movement Psychotherapist

Erikas Vaitulevicius

Psychotherapist/EMDR Therapist

Nancy Maillie

Art Therapist and Makaton Lead

Chelsea Singh

Clinical Psychologist

Sam Walker

Occupational Therapy & Speech and Language Team

Clinical Lead - Occupational Therapy

Christina Smith

Clinical Lead - Speech & Language

Heather Clarke

Speech & Language Therapist

Jane Handley & Lydia Rodger

Occupational Therapists

Kayleigh Robb & Abby Burke

Family Team

Clinical Lead - Systemic Family Therapist

Kim Webb

Family Intervention Support Worker

Sue Bradley

Family Counsellor

Lauren Kershaw

Health Team

Clinical Lead - Nurse

Sara Hill

Occupational Health Nurse

Andrea Davies

Health Assistant

Janina Stansfield

Lifestyle Coach & Personal Trainer

Gareth Potts

Head of Care

Gareth Walters

Social Worker and Safeguarding Manager

Kirsty Helliwell

House Leaders

Matthew Hill, Carl Gregg, Tom Forsyth, Tracey McGuiness

Senior Residential Social Care Workers

David Cartner, Rob Healey, Helen Bottomley, Laura Kelsey, Zoe Hepworth

Residential Social Care Workers

Charlotte Powles, Luke Roberts, Teoni Patrick, Mia Gregg, Millie Armstead, Lily Senior

Family Intervention Support Worker

Sue Bradley

Social Work Placement Students

Gracy Riley-Naylor, Claire Holden

Sixth Form

House Leader

Tom Forsyth

Senior Residential Social Care Worker

Justin Waterworth, Billie Moyers

Teacher

Lucie Carruthers 

Head of Central Services

Lisa King

Executive Assistant to CEO

Helena Namini

PA to SLT

Olivia Thewlis

PA to Governors, Trustees and Data and Exams Officer

Vanessa Talbot 

Media, Events & Marketing Manager

Tonicha Barton

Business Support Manager

Tina Read

Finance Assistant

Sarah Wynne

Payroll Manager

Jen Clegg

Head of HR

Emma Boyle

Senior HR Advisor Richard Waterhouse

HR Assistant

Gemma Maloney, Lisa Daly

Head of IT

Alan Godfrey

IT Technicians

Nigel Stewart, Richie Palfrey

Senior Admin Assistant/Reception Supervisor

Karen Sturgeon

Receptionist Admin Assistants

Tom Clarke, Kristina Reddy

EHCP Co-Ordinator

Erica Lord

Admin Assistant

Holly Rigg

Admissions and EHCP Administrator

Adele Beer

Catering Manager

Andrew Scott

Cooks

Neil Dear, Elli Harling

Kitchen Assistant

Wendy Lee

Housekeeping Supervisor

Jane Taylor

Housekeeping Assistants

Linda Barrett, Brenda Yates

Head of Premises

Mick Cartwright

Head of Corporate Compliance and H&S

Paul Ackroyd

Corporate Compliance and H&S Assistant

Antonio Turkaly

Premises/Maintenance

Jason West, Jack Javens, Lee Smith, John Baldwin

Waking Night Staff

Selwyn Lewis

Gardener

Dean Wilson

Cleaning Manager

Sue Horsfield

Cleaning Supervisors

Rosie Egege, Fiona Hirst

Cleaners

Wendy Mitchel, Mandy Hinchliffe, Karen O'Rieadon, Stacey Mears, Roxy Greenwood, Nicole Pamment, Michelle Brilley, Liz Brennand