Senior Leadership Team
Lianne West
Head of Foundation
Lianne is our Head of Foundation and is responsible for creating a culture where the wellbeing of all is of the highest priority and where our students’ skills and talents are recognised, nurtured and encouraged by everyone. She is a highly qualified teacher with 22 years’ experience teaching and leading teams across both primary and secondary settings in the UK, the Middle East and Switzerland. Lianne has a BA in Primary Education with QTS, as well as a Master’s degree with a focus on maths intervention. Lianne is passionate about improving mental health, learning, and quality of life for young people. Outside of school, Lianne enjoys the outdoors through hiking and cycling and generally keeping fit and active.
Luke Mason
Deputy Head of Foundation
Luke is our Deputy Head of Foundation and is responsible for the Curriculum, Qualifications and wider Teaching & Learning across the foundation. He works with staff across the Foundation to ensure our students receive a valuable academic experience alongside their therapeutic and physical provisions. With extensive experience in academic leadership in Further Education and secondary schools, Luke has a keen focus on student development at a personal level and brings to the foundation a creative approach to the curriculum. He is a regular on the local improvised comedy circuit and uses these skills in teaching to engage students to build confidence, grow collaborative working and think creatively.
Elizabeth Beal
Head of Therapeutic Provision
Liz is the foundation’s Head of Therapeutic Provision. She has studied at the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex and the Tavistock Clinic, London and has a range of psychoanalytical tools at her disposal which she can apply to individuals, relationships and organisations. Liz leads the Emotional Wellbeing Team and has strategic responsibility for designing, planning and supporting the delivery of all the wellbeing interventions for students. As part of her strategic role, she participates in home visits and liaises with services to support students who may struggle to access on-site provision for any reason. Liz is highly skilled and shares with staff her knowledge and understanding of others, how to relate to them, modelling a range of strategies for managing the students’ emotional wellbeing.
Louise Cusiter
Head of Statutory Provision
As Head of Statutory Provision, Lou is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the provision that specifically relates to Section F of the Education, Health and Care Plan. She works alongside both the Emotional Wellbeing Team and the Learning and Teaching Team to ensure that the planned provision meets the identified needs of the students. A large part of her role is attending review meetings, personal education plan meetings for our Children Looked After and reporting on progress to the Local Authority education and social care representatives. She is responsible for overseeing the application and induction process and evaluating whether the foundation can meet an individual young person’s needs. Lou is a trained counsellor herself and has had a long career in special educational settings.