Advanced Skills Practitioners (None Slideshow) (ID 1457)

• Gaynor Duffy
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Gaynor Duffy

  Gaynor Duffy is the Curriculum Lead for Food and Nutrition and an Advanced Skills Practitioner with a strong commitment to inclusion, care, and meaningful outcomes. She has extensive experience supporting children and young people with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and a wide range of additional needs. Her work focuses on helping learners access education in ways that feel safe, purposeful, and achievable.

• Louise Preston
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Louise Preston

   

  I have been proud to be part of the New Bridge team since 2004. My journey began at the Mainland Fold site before transitioning to the newly opened Roman Road building in 2005. With a background in Performing Arts and experience as a trained Mental Health First Aider, I combine creativity and empathy to support and inspire the students I work with.

   

• Cathy Mcgeoghegan
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Cathy Mcgeoghegan

   

  I bring extensive experience as a committed SEND professional, supporting pupils from early years through to Year 11. I am passionate about helping every child build a meaningful future, and I approach my work with care, creativity and determination. I'm dedicated not only to my students but also to my colleagues, offering support, guidance and a solution‑focused approach whenever it's needed. I take pride in moving practice forward and helping to create an environment where both staff and pupils can feel safe and thrive.

   

• Chloe Bingley
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Chloe Bingley

   

  I am a teacher at New Bridge School with more than twelve years of experience in education. As an Apple Coach, ASP, and Boardmaker Champion, I am passionate about promoting inclusive learning and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed through the effective use of technology. I'm committed to helping learners access engaging, meaningful experiences and to supporting colleagues in integrating digital tools that enhance communication and learning.

   

  Driven by a belief in the power of technology to transform education, I enjoy exploring new ways to inspire both students and staff. Whether guiding learners toward greater independence or helping colleagues develop their practice, I aim to create environments where everyone can thrive.

   

• Katie Cash
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Katie Cash

   

  I am an experienced education professional with a strong background in safeguarding, attendance and behaviour management. As both a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) and an Advanced Skills Practitioner (ASP), I have gained valuable insight into how these areas interconnect to support pupils' wellbeing and achievement.

   

  I am passionate about creating safe, inclusive environments where every child can thrive, and I'm committed to sharing practical strategies that make a meaningful difference in schools. With a solution‑focused approach, I combine strategic knowledge with hands‑on experience to help colleagues strengthen their practice and drive sustainable improvements.

   

• Lauren Newport
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Lauren Newport

   

  As an experienced leader and SEND teacher, I am passionate about inclusion and about helping staff develop their understanding of all aspects of SEND. Before qualifying as a teacher, I worked as an adult social worker, and this background continues to shape my commitment to creating meaningful futures for all learners.

   

  My strong knowledge of the issues surrounding learning disability and social care has enriched my teaching practice and enabled me to support others in developing effective adaptive approaches. I build positive relationships grounded in person centered practice and am dedicated not only to pupil progress and wellbeing but also to supporting staff in their professional growth.

   

• Sarah Marlor
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Sarah Marlor

   

  I am an experienced primary teacher and iPad advocate with more than eight years of experience in SEN. I am passionate about inclusive, innovative teaching approaches and enjoy using technology to enrich learning and make it more accessible. I support practical, hands‑on learning and play an active role in helping colleagues develop their skills and confidence in using digital tools across the school.

   

• Richard Bright
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Richard Bright

  Richard is an Executive Advisor for Technology at New Bridge Multi Academy Trust with over 23 years' experience working with children and young people across Mainstream, Secondary and Special Educational Needs settings.

• Adam Ward
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Adam Ward

  Adam brings a wealth of experience as a dedicated SEND professional, primarily supporting pupils aged 14-19 with a primary need of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). His passion lies in helping every young person build a meaningful and successful future.

   

  Adam is equally committed to supporting his colleagues, with a proven track record of providing guidance and leadership when needed. Known for his calm, solution-focused approach, he takes pride in identifying positive ways forward and creating an environment in which both pupils and staff can thrive.

• Carrie Ball
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Carrie Ball

  Carrie is a highly experienced SEND specialist and system leader, bringing expertise in inclusive practice, curriculum design, and professional development. She is driven by a strong moral purpose and a deep commitment to ensuring all learners can access a rich, ambitious education.

   

  Carrie supports schools and individuals to translate evidence-informed approaches into effective classroom practice. She helps educators at all stages to build confidence, deepen expertise, and maximise their impact.

• Michelle Rathor
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Michelle Rathor

  Michelle is the Executive Director for Learning and Impact. She has extensive experience in supporting and developing inclusive practice across educational settings and have been leading school improvement work since working with Tameside LA.

   

  As well as being an English Teacher and leader of Literacy she has fifteen years experience working within the mainstream sector supporting senior leaders of Curriculum, teaching and achievement. She has worked in the specialist sector since 2024.

• Chris Headdock
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Chris Headdock

  I am an experienced School Business Manager with over 10 years' experience across mainstream and specialist SEND education settings within both local authority schools and multi academy trusts.I am passionate about operational leadership and have extensive experience in estates, compliance, finance, procurement and strategic project delivery.

   

  I recently led the delivery and transition into a new £24 million specialist school building and regularly support trust wide operational improvement projects. I am also Operational Excellence Lead level accredited.

• Heather Feeney
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Heather Feeney

  Heather is a pastoral leader within a specialist SEMH provision, with a focus on behaviour, wellbeing, and relational practice. She specialises in restorative justice conferences, using trauma-informed approaches to repair relationships, resolve conflict, and support young people to take accountability in a safe and respectful environment.

   

  She is committed to promoting children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing, recognising the complexity of need within SEMH settings. Her practice is rooted in therapeutic principles, consistency, and strong relationships built on trust, safety, and understanding.

   

  Heather works closely with families as a key link between home and school, building positive partnerships that support engagement, attendance, and overall wellbeing, ensuring every young person and their family feel heard, supported, and empowered

• Jessica Anderson
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Jessica Anderson

  With over 12 years of experience supporting learners from Early Years to KS5, Jess has worked across a wide range of SEND needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and Autism, supporting both verbal and non-verbal students.

   

  Jess is deeply passionate about inclusion, behaviour, and creating safe, welcoming environments where every young person feels seen, valued and understood. Her practice is rooted in positive relationships, consistency, and a belief that every learner deserves opportunities to thrive.

   

  Jess is committed to continually strengthening her own knowledge and practice, actively engaging in ongoing study and professional development to ensure she offers the highest-quality support to learners and fellow practitioners.

• Lynsey Green
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Lynsey Green

  Lynsey Green has worked at Hawthorns School for eleven years and is a highly enthusiastic, positive professional who continually seeks to develop her practice. She is a warm, patient and creative teacher who builds strong relationships with pupils, inspiring curiosity and resilience through play-based, differentiated learning tailored to each child.

   

  Lynsey is a reflective coach and collaborative colleague, skilled in clear communication, and mentoring staff to improve practice while always prioritising inclusion and pupil wellbeing.

• Alan brown
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Alan brown

  Alan is an experienced SEND teacher with a specialism in Assessment and Data. Much of his work in this area has been focused on implementing and developing the use of the Evidence for Learning platform.

   

  He is passionate about designing systems that evidence and celebrate all progress, not just academic milestones. He believes that data can and should be a tool that supports both learners and teachers, rather than creating a culture of fear and anxiety that can surround data and pupil progress.

• Daniel Hamlin
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Daniel Hamlin

  Daniel brings over a decade of experience within education. His career reflects a strong commitment to student development, pastoral care, and high-quality physical education, with leadership responsibilities that demonstrate his ability to drive improvement and support for whole-school priorities.

• Donna Ward
  Advanced Skills Practitioner
  Donna Ward

  Donna serves as Director of Physical Needs Support across New Bridge School. With over 32 years of experience in special needs education, she brings extensive expertise and a deep commitment to her role.

   

  Donna is particularly passionate about raising awareness of how best to support young people with physical disabilities, and she is dedicated to ensuring that their individual needs are met to the highest possible standard.