Senior Leadership Team

I have worked in residential specialist education for 35 years, having held the incredibly rewarding position of Principal of the William Henry Smith School between 2017-2023.

I am hugely motivated and committed to improving the lives of children and young adults, particularly those facing challenges associated with Social, Emotion and Mental Health. I have a strong and unwavering mantra that all our decisions must be made with our children at the forefront of every decision and action, employing our knowledge and understanding of trauma and its impact.

With a community of over 220 staff and 103 children and young adults over our three sites, I am delighted to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Principal. Our Children’s Home in Rastrick, a Registered Learning Provision in Elland, and the addition of our Sixth Form are exciting developments that provide more children and young adults with specialist care and education, supported by the vital components of health and therapy. Aligning with The Smith Foundation’s ethos, ‘Becoming the Best You Can Be’ and on the strength of The William Henry Smith School’s reputation, we are ready to use our experiences to broaden our offer and reach.

I maintain the strong belief that we have a duty, responsibility, and opportunity to share our experience, knowledge, and ‘expertise’ beyond our organisation and that we can enjoy great satisfaction from being part of fellow professionals’ journeys.

The school is the lead organisation for Calderdale’s Specialist Cluster and working alongside 3 specialist schools we are reaching out to 96% of schools across the borough. Our work impacts beyond our local reach, and we are proactive regionally and nationally; we have also enjoyed delivering training internationally. I am the Chair of Engage, a national association supporting school leaders and organisations across the country, and I am also involved in the work of NASS (The National Association for Independent and Non-maintained Special Schools) supporting Heads and Principals, coaching and sharing great practice.

I am married with two sons. I enjoy walking, eating out and discovering the history and traditions behind Europe’s cities. I am extremely focused and passionate about the integral link between movement and exercise and mental health and well-being, and the benefits to our Quality of Life. I spend a significant part of the week training, and I thoroughly enjoy the challenge and rewards associated with Power Lifting, Olympic Lifting and Kick Boxing. I have just completed the National Coal Race, carrying 20kg over a mile of gruelling pace and hills. I have a love for reading, both to increase my knowledge, and for the benefit of pleasure, becoming all consumed in fiction, an opportunity to escape and watch a character interact with the world.

I am a strong believer in work-life brilliance; a fulfilment and ease in all parts of life: health, work, relationships, and home. I believe in a quality of life that encapsulates health, happiness, and growth, learning every day and the mantra that there are no limits to success…everything is possible.

Sue

I am passionate about driving forward positive change, whilst providing support for our sector as a whole. I love the reward of working in such an inspiring and fulfilling environment and I relish nothing more than a challenge.

I am responsible for the school's quality, efficiencies and effectiveness of resources including the finances and ensuring that the school makes the best possible use of the resources available. I also ensure that processes and systems are implemented,  embedded and effective. Alongside this I am also responsible for personnel management, premises management, IT, administration and all matters within the management of the school which are supportive to, but do not involve, the teaching function, together with the responsibility for risk management and data management. I have a lead role in data recording and management within the school.

Prior to working at the school, I qualified as an accountant and then later worked as a Fraud Investigator for West Yorkshire Police. I hold a Master’s Degree in Educational Business Management, a Masters Degree in Financial Investigation and Financial Crime and have completed my Diploma and Advanced Diploma in School Business Management, NPQSL, and IOSH. I am a Certified Microsoft Office Specialist and have my EU GDPR certificate. I am also a Chartered Manager with the CMI.

I sit on the board of trustees for the National Association of Non-Maintained Special Schools (NASS).  I am also Chair of the East Calderdale Learning Community School Business Managers Network, and the Calderdale School Business Manager Representative for the Calderdale Services for Schools Strategic Board.

I am always committed to all I do. I am a fiercely independent critical thinker. I relish and enjoy challenges and like to think through threats as opportunities and look for successful routes. I challenge all of my teams to look to solutions, as opposed to problems, and enjoy the journey through these.

I have two boys and as a family we enjoy going on holiday and seeing new places. We love being outside and active, and rarely sit still! I enjoy all sports such as skiing, cycling, football, walking and I am a Formula One fan.

Caroline

I have taken up the Head of School position in September 2023 after working for the foundation for many years in various roles across school.

I started working in education as an Individual Support Worker after completing a BSc Hons in Sports and Exercise Science at Ripon and York St Johns in 2001. Shortly after completing my degree I joined the foundation, working as a Residential Social Care worker, before qualifying as a teacher in 2008.

Throughout my time working for the foundation, I have worked in many different roles carrying many different responsibilities, always with students at the centre of my thoughts.

I have a passion to help and support students and families who we work with making the educational experience inclusive and accessible for all. I truly believe that working in the Smith foundation we are in a privileged position to have the opportunity to have a positive effect on so many children and their family’s lives.

Taking the Head of School position fills me with a great deal of pride and I look forward to working with Senior Leaders, to develop the staff team, to provide the best possible opportunities for all students within our care.

My own interests are coaching junior rugby at my local club Emley Moor ARLFC and keeping fit by running and going to the gym.  I am also kept busy by my two boys Barney and Rory, who enjoy rugby and cricket. As a family we love spending time in the outdoors and seeing new places both in the UK and afar.  I have had the opportunity to travel to a number of countries whilst backpacking through South East Asia which has given me an appreciation of different cultures and beliefs.

Karl

I am Deputy Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Trust with leadership responsibilities for Therapeutic, Family & Health Services; Family Partnership & Engagement; Residential & Pastoral Care, our children's home Boothroyd and our on-site Post 16 provision.  I am very keen to develop and improve our residential provision, and to develop satellite provisions within our local community, reaching out to more children and young adults, and supporting families.

I have 30 years’ experience of working within education and have worked for the foundation for the past 25 years after initially starting on a voluntary basis whilst with Barnsley LA special needs team. I am qualified to Level 5 in Leadership and Management, and a Registered ILM Manager.

I have established great working relationships with two local universities who have used the school for training their 2^nd and 3^rd year Social Worker students. As the school and 6th forms' Designated Safeguarding Lead, I manage a team of highly trained and experienced child protection staff who work closely to ensure that children, young adults, and staff at the school feel safe and looked after.

I am also involved within the Calderdale Cluster Group for schools in the area, where we work together in improving standards of safeguarding and behaviour within all local special provisions.

To enhance knowledge in an ever-changing dynamic within our sector, I have trained as a Mental Health First Aider and Positive Behaviour Support coach, and integrate these approaches to help improve the life opportunities of children.

I am married with four children and have a French bulldog called Jax. I support the greatest football team in the entire universe, Barnsley FC, and I am an enthusiastic golfer trying to play off a lower handicap than I am currently.

The biggest influence on my life was my Nan, who taught me good manners cost ‘nowt’ and to treat everyone like you would like to be treated yourself.

I am Vice Principal for Further Education. My primary responsibility is overseeing The William Henry Smith Sixth Form and The William Henry Smith Specialist College.

I qualified as a teacher in 2003, after completing a Sport and Exercise Science BSC degree at Carnegie, Leeds, followed by a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education, specialising in Dance.   

I have worked at Ryburn Valley High School as Head of Year, Head of Department and Director of Key Stage 3. My reputation and hard work led me to becoming Assistant Headteacher, leading the Behaviour, Attendance, Safeguarding, Well-being and Personal Development.   

Keen for a new challenge, in September 2020 I became Assistant Headteacher for Behaviour, Attendance, Safeguarding and Inclusion at Kingsway Park High School in Rochdale. 

I am absolutely passionate about inclusive education, making sure every child matters and no child is left behind. I have regularly delivered staff training on Behaviour Management, SEND, Safeguarding, Impact of Developmental Trauma and Positive Adult Behaviour in the Classroom.  

I have completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders and a Senior Leadership qualification in Developmental Trauma and Attachment.   

I have two wonderful children, and love spending time with them, going to the theatre, on holidays, enjoying new experiences and making memories.  I also enjoy teaching dance on a weekend for a local dance school. 

I love new challenges and I will always work super hard to rise to these challenges.

I am Vice Principal with Primary responsibility for Workforce Learning & Development.

I began working in education in 2011, initially as a Teaching Assistant having completed a BA Hons in Sport, Leisure and Culture at Leeds Metropolitan University. I gained Qualified Teacher Status in Secondary PE through the Graduate Teacher Programme in July 2013. Although I enjoyed my time in a mainstream school, I felt my passion was in supporting students with SEND and I have spent the last 10 years working in a Special School in Bradford taking on a number of teaching and leadership roles, most recently as an Assistant Headteacher.

Professionally, I am always looking to develop my own practice and recently completed a postgraduate study in the field of Autism through the University of Birmingham. This has become a particular area of interest to me and has introduced me to new ways of thinking in order to improve outcomes for students. I also believe in unlocking the potential in others and providing opportunities for all staff to become the best that they can be, something which drew me to the role of Head of Learning and Development.

Outside of School life, I enjoy travelling both within and outside of the UK, having visited a number of countries across Europe, South-East Asia, South America and the Caribbean. I also place high value on physical and mental wellbeing through sport and physical activity, particularly through playing football for a local team, running and walking my mischievous Beagle, Benton.

I am Vice Principal with responsibility for Policy & Practice

I graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with BSc (Hons) in Sports Performance Coaching, upon graduating I worked as a Teaching Assistant in a SEND primary school which was the start of my journey working with young people with complex and additional needs. I then worked as a Specialist Support Assistant at a residential special school and had opportunities to teach both PE and Food Technology, this experience embedded my intention to teach as a career. I therefore trained to become a Design Technology Teacher with specialism in Food at Manchester Metropolitan University, after teaching in two mainstream schools I longed to return to special education as that is where I feel my strengths and passion lies.

 I was fortunate enough to return to teaching in special education with young people aged 8-18 years, delivering Food, Textiles and Art & Design across all key stages. I’ve had varying roles and responsibilities including as a Head of Department, Pupil Premium Co-Ordinator, Designated Teacher for Looked After Children and most recently Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Quality of Education. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at my previous school but was ready for a new challenge which has led me to WHSS.

 Away from school life, I have a young son, who is the centre of my world, full of fun and keeps me grounded. I enjoy most sports and particularly watching my first love – Manchester United. I enjoy learning new skills and challenges and will try most aspects of DIY, I am currently renovating my old Victorian home – I am not afraid of a power tool!