Kathryn Stevens
Executive Headteacher
Hello! I’m really excited to be leading this beautiful school: working closely with all our young people and their parents/carers , as well as supporting and developing our very talented staff.
I believe in placing the young person at the centre of all that we do and providing an individual flight path through the curriculum to enable them to achieve their dreams for their future. I have two lovely dogs at home – a handsome working cocker spaniel and a fluffy cavachon- and I love to take them on long walks and teach them tricks. I am very blessed to have a horse called Jilly – she is teaching me how to ride. I am not very good yet- but despite falling off every now and then I keep getting back on and trying!
You can always talk to me about anything that concerns you – I am a very good listener and always want to help.
I am looking forward to our journey together!
TANIA READMAN
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Tania joined Oakwood Community school in December 2017. She started as a learning mentor within the primary classes, working on a one to one basis or in small groups alongside the class teacher. She has taken great pride in watching the pupils grow emotionally and following the completion of training she has recently become the designated safeguarding lead for the school. She has undertaken a Level 3 Diploma course for Children and Young People’s Workforce: Social Care Pathway.
Her previous experience has included working with young children and running a nursery facility at a local community centre. She has also been a volunteer for Home-Start visiting families in need with young children, as well as running family groups. She has also worked as a residential care worker helping young people.
Tania is committed to developing her role at Oakwood Community school, and ensuring all the school’s pupils have a safe environment in which to grow and learn.
YVONNE CURRALL
Examinations officer
Yvonne began working at Oakwood in 2006 as a teacher in KS3/4. Prior to that, after gaining her Certificate of Education, she had over 25 years’ experience of teaching across both KS1/2 in primary schools.
Wanting to work more specifically with EBD children led her to Oakwood and her desire to make a positive impact on children’s learning means her enthusiasm and commitment remains undimmed.
In 2010 she took over the role of Exams Officer, a role she has thoroughly enjoyed and continues to hold in an assistant capacity since she has started to work on a part-time basis.
In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, walking, reading and spending time with her family.
RICHARD HARDY
Key stage 4 Teacher
Rich started working at Oakwood School in April 2017. He currently teaches a wide range of subjects to the older pupils in the school helping improve functional skills in Maths and English, but he also working towards entry levels upwards in core subjects.
He has a Professional Certificate in Education (Cert-Ed) Level 5 and prior to joining Oakwood he worked with Young Offenders for ten years in a large college environment teaching NVQ 1 & 2 food preparation and cooking as well as food hygiene and functional skills in English and Maths.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and his four boys as well as coaching groups of young people at his local rugby club – he is an experienced Level 2 Rugby coach.
STEPHEN BAKER
Key stage 3 Teacher
Stephen joined Oakwood School as a Key Stage 3 teacher at the end of October 2018.
Prior to joining the school, he had been teaching for more than twenty years - the last four as an SEN specialist.
Although his subject specialism is Religious Education; over the course of an extremely varied career he has taught almost every subject on the curriculum and delivered classes to every year group in compulsory education from Reception to Year 13. I
He enjoys working with more challenging students, and has an holistic approach to his teaching, using the techniques of Mindfulness as an important a part of his classroom delivery.
Outside of school he is very interested in performance, and regularly appears in a variety of roles for a Solihull amateur dramatic group. He has also been a member of a number of bands and music groups.
LEIGHA DOUGLAS
Primary lead
Leigha has worked within childcare and education for seven years, working closely with children of all ages who have SEN, SEMH and other needs.
She joined the Oakwood staff in February 2018, in the role of Primary Lead Teacher. She works closely with the children tailoring lessons and experiences to broaden their knowledge and opportunities.
She loves seeing children grow both academically and socially. Education and its impact on childhood has always been her passion and she feels very lucky to have the opportunity to help children within the school reach their goals using creative teaching methods.
In her spare time Leigha enjoys travelling to enrich her own experiences and she likes to volunteer at playschemes.
Collette Gilbody
Class Lead
I started at Oakwood Community School as a teaching assistant in August 2019, and in October 2019 I became a class lead. I am currently completing my Honours Degree in Early Childhood at Warwick University and plan to go on to complete a PGCE immediately after. Before I came to Oakwood, I was the deputy manager of a nursery where I completed qualifications in childcare. I enjoy working with children and helping them to learn and grow. I like to learn and try new things and am always willing to give new things a go. I am very passionate about expanding my knowledge and supporting children with their very important journey through childhood and into adulthood.
Hannah Johnston
Class Lead, BA (hons) Education Studies
Hannah joined Oakwood Community School in 2016 having worked with children and young people since 2012 in mainstream schools and a residential home for children and young people. She also runs a summer playscheme and has done this for 16 years now.
During her time at Oakwood ,Hannah has worked across all age groups and classes. Hannah is currently teaching the KS3/4 students within school- working towards functional skills and developing all core subjects.
In her spare time Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling.
NICOLA JEMPSOM
Instructor
BSc Geography Degree (July 2010), University of Leicester.
Nicola started working at Oakwood Community School in September 2017 having worked in education since January 2011. Her previous experience was in a boarding provision for international students, where she specialised in GCSE and A-Level Geography, as well as PSHE and had her own tutor group. She currently works with the oldest pupils in the school, helping them improve their functional skills in Maths and English as well as entry levels in various core subjects, such as science, humanities and the arts.
Other experience involved spending 18 months working for Leicestershire Police as a PCSO, where she got involved with various aspects of the local community.
In her spare time Nicola enjoys foreign travel and experiencing the cultures and lifestyles of different countries. She also likes to spend time with friends and family, as well as her pet dog.
MEL FARRELL
Mel works as a behaviour mentor at Oakwood Community School. He has worked with children with challenging behaviours for over five years. He is extremely dedicated and always enthusiastic member of the staff team.
Mel started work by caring for young people in residential homes; assisting them to develop life skills and providing essential day to day support through mentoring. This role required him to have strong relationship building skills and a lot of patience. It also involved getting to know new children whilst making them feel secure, and then provide ongoing support to ensure they built confidence and learnt coping strategies. In this role he was also required to liaise with parents, health and education professionals.
His role at Oakwood school has seen him based in the classroom, as well as on a 1:1 basis with young people who are experiencing difficulties with learning due to social, emotional or behavioural problems. He believes it is essential to be fair whilst following the school’s behaviour guidelines and rules to ensure the best possible outcomes for all pupils.
CHARLOTTE LEWIS
Behaviour Mentor
Charlotte has been working at Oakwood Community School since January 2019.
Prior to joining the Oakwood staff team, she had worked in education for two years, and before that had spent four years working in children’s homes.
She enjoys the variety of work involved and feels it is a privilege if she can earn the trust of children in her capacity as a mentor. She has a strong nurturing instinct and also believes having a sense of humour is vital in the role she undertakes.
In her spare time she enjoys cooking and going for walks.
Anite Burden
Teaching Assistant
I have a NCFE CACHE Level 2 certificate supporting teaching and learning, working along side children with additional needs and on a one to one basis. I work closely with children who need extra support and guidance. I have gained broad experience in different job roles and have considerable experience in business management. I have studied performing arts and worked to achieve my Level 2 in Food Hygiene. I'm a very creative and outgoing person, always willing to develop my current knowledge and I truly believe that every day is an opportunity to learn something new.
In my spare time I enjoy singing and dancing with the children. I love the outdoors and exploring new adventures.