- Home
- About Us
- Our Team
Our Team
Every member of staff at Helen Allison is fully trained in working with children on the autism spectrum.
We know that your child does best when a team of people work closely together to support them in every part of their school life. Our teachers, care staff, therapists and support staff are all based in school alongside your child. They meet regularly to share their expertise and observations, and to make sure that your child is happy and learning well.
All staff receive a comprehensive induction programme including SPELL training (an approach suited to supporting students on the autism spectrum) and Studio 3 (a low arousal behaviour management approach).
There is an annual programme of training, including updates required to meet statutory health and safety obligations. In accordance with the requirements of regulatory Inspection Bodies in Care we support staff to gain QCF Diploma level 3 in Health and Social care.
All staff are kept up to date with curriculum and examination changes. If you would like to talk to any member of our staff, please contact the school office.
Leadership Team
Adam has been part of Helen Allison School since 2013 and holds the position of Principal. During his career, he has continually worked to develop his knowledge and experience by completing a PGCert in Autism, a NPQML and NPQSL, which has allowed him to design strategies and procedures to support all pupils' development both within Helen Allison and beyond. Adam has also completed a Masters in Teaching and Learning to afford him a deeper understanding of educational practice, and has been able to implement his research into his day-to-day work with staff and students at Helen Allison.
Adam is passionate about achieving the very best for all the pupils who attend the Helen Allison School. This passion is evident in the many new and exciting experiences he has introduced throughout his time at Helen Allison, this includes a residential trip for pupils to take part in land and water based activities to develop their confidence and self-esteem while continuing to improve their independence and social skills.
Adam is also a Deputy Safeguard Lead at the Helen Allison School and works closely with many external partners and parents/carers to ensure the safety of all who attend the school. His hard work and dedication to this role was recently acknowledged through the ‘Safeguard Initiative Award’ presented to the school for their excellent work supporting students and their families.
Lisa joined the Helen Allison School in September 1997 as a teaching assistant. This kick started her passion for working with students with special educational needs, particularly autism. After graduating from Greenwich University, she very soon became part of the teaching team at the school, teaching IT across all year groups.
Over the past 20 plus years, Lisa has been involved in various initiatives including the development of work experience placements for our Key Stage 4/Post 16 students either in house or out in the community. She very quickly became a passionate advocate in developing further opportunities for all the young people she works with.
Lisa is part of the safeguarding team at Helen Allison School and she demonstrates a professional manner when working with both parents, students and external bodies. She is passionate to ensure students achieve the support they need and deserve, both internally and through external organisations.
Lisa leads on transition at Helen Allison School and over the past few years has secured suitable post 16/19 placement for our leavers. She has a good knowledge of the transition process and has also held transition events to support parents and carers.
Lisa has progressed to Assistant Principal (Operational) and leads on the day to day running of our 14 – 19 Hub. She is a highly motivated member of the senior leadership team and is very proactive in ensuring all students develop the skills required for their future adult life.
Luke is Deputy Principal (Pastoral) at Helen Allison School and is currently in his seventh year at the school. He brings over 20 years of experience in special education, underpinned by a PGCE in Primary Education and the National Award for SEN Coordination. Throughout his career, he has taught across a range of key stages and has developed a strong commitment to ensuring that all children and young people receive the support they need to succeed.
As the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, Luke has a particular focus on pupil wellbeing, inclusion, and positive outcomes. Luke greatly values the opportunity to build strong relationships with families and believes that effective partnerships between home and school are key to helping children and young people thrive.
Emma Griffin is the Deputy Principal (Academic) at Helen Allison School. She has worked in education for over 14 years, holding a range of teaching and leadership positions within primary and specialist settings. Throughout her career, Emma has been committed to ensuring that all children, particularly those with additional needs, receive an inclusive, ambitious and high-quality education. During her career, Emma has continually sought opportunities to develop her knowledge and leadership skills, completing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and the Ambition Institute's Future Leaders programme.
Prior to joining Helen Allison School, Emma worked as an Inclusion Lead and Deputy Headteacher within a resourced provision for autistic pupils. More recently, she worked for a local authority as an Inclusion Partner, supporting schools and early years settings to develop inclusive practice, delivering professional development and working closely with SEND services to improve outcomes for children and young people.
At Helen Allison School, Emma leads on curriculum development, ensuring that the curriculum is ambitious, meaningful and tailored to the individual needs of every pupil. She is passionate about preparing students for the next stages of their education and adult life by equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to flourish.
Emma is also the English Lead across the school, working closely with staff to ensure that high-quality English teaching, along with communication, reading and writing skills, are effectively developed and embedded throughout the curriculum. In addition, she supports the development of middle leaders, helping to drive high standards of teaching, learning and curriculum provision across the school. Emma is dedicated to ensuring that all pupils are supported to achieve success, develop independence and fulfil their potential both in school and beyond.
Chloe Watkins is the Principal Therapist at Helen Allison School. She completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Education before qualifying as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2004.
With over 30 years of experience supporting autistic children, young people, and their families, Chloe has worked across a diverse range of settings, including homes, clinics, mainstream schools, and specialist educational environments.
As Principal Therapist, Chloe is proud to work alongside an exceptional transdisciplinary team. She is passionate about ensuring that every young person receives personalised therapeutic support that recognises and builds upon their individual strengths, preferences, and needs.
Chloe has a particular interest in supporting young people to access communication approaches and regulation strategies that are meaningful and effective for them. She is committed to helping individuals develop greater self-awareness, self-advocacy, independence, and regulation strategies, enabling them to participate confidently in the activities, relationships, and opportunities that matter most to them.
Julie is the Business and Finance Manager at Helen Allison School.
Natasha is the Business and Finance Manager at Helen Allson School.
Other Members of Staff
Anna Mundy - Occupational Therapist
Emily Trapp - Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Erin Caulfield - Occupational Therapy Assistant
Gemma McCann - Occupational Therapy Assistant
Lisa Moxham - Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Kirsten Kitchener - Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Njabulo Mhlongo - Speech and Language Therapist
Dr Mark Murphy - Clinical Psychologist
Ashleigh Henry - Senior Positive Behaviour Coordinator
Harriet Norman - Assistant Clinical Psychologist
Paul Wood - Assistant Clinical Psychologist
- Cyril Manuel
- Ellen Duggan
- Laura Sparkes
- Harry Walton
- Geri Holliday
- Jackie Foley
- Jo Shillitoe
- Jon Cokell
- Lisa O'Keefe
- Marta Fulop
- Nikki Dennington
- Sam Carter
- Sarah Best
- Stuart Nicholson
- Tracey Kingsnorth
Rachel Forshaw - Finance & Training Coordinator
Francesca Shaxted - Attendance Officer and Student Services Coordinator
Lynn Wells - Student Services Coordinator
Lacie Whitehead - Administration Assistant
Liam Jones - Administration Assistant
Tyler Garner - IT Technician
How Our Clinicians Help Your Child
Our Clinicians are all based at the Helen Allison School and work side by side with the teaching and support staff thereby ensuring an embedded Transdisciplinary approach is in place at the very start of your child’s educational journey.
Our speech and language therapists and therapy assistant work with your child, both in school and in partnership with parents. After an initial detailed assessment has taken place they will devise an intervention plan for your child which outlines how their language and social communication skills can progress. This may be delivered in a variety of ways appropriate to your child’s needs. Communication profiles and programmes are in place where appropriate and are constantly updated as your child’s needs change over time. They may run groups for both primary and secondary school pupils, or deliver paired and individual sessions where needed.
Occupational Therapists in our schools are an integral part of the transdisciplinary team. This ensures that we can provide a bespoke package of intervention to meet the ever-changing needs of your child. Therapeutic approaches and interventions are embedded into the daily lives of our students and form part of their waking day curriculum.
Occupational Therapy (OT) aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of your child through enabling participation in daily life through meaningful occupations (activities) such as:
Self-care (e.g. getting dressed, eating a meal, managing toileting needs and managing personal hygiene).
Productivity (e.g. participating in school, organisational skills, going to work)
Leisure (e.g. socialising with friends, belonging to a group, participating in hobbies/play).
Our consultant clinical psychologist, assistant Psychologist and positive behaviour support team will compile an Individual Support Plan for your child. They may work individually with them and in class groups throughout the school.
The team supports you as parents, and sends learning materials home where beneficial. They train the other staff and keep everyone up-to-date with your child’s progress.
Above all, we look at your child holistically: our transdisciplinary team works as one unit, bringing together vast amounts of knowledge and experience. We are rigorous and systematic, and we constantly assess and monitor how your child is doing. We always look for the best way to support your child and enhance their quality of life.