We are a dedicated team at The Children's Trust School, where each of us is acknowledged as a leader of learning. Our staff includes school management, teachers, senior and specialist teacher assistants, a school nurse team, therapists specialising in speech and language, occupational, music, and physiotherapy, as well as an essential admin team.
All our staff undergo tailored training in SEND (special educational needs and disability) to excel in delivering education, health, therapy, and care.
Find out more about our:
Director of Therapies and Education
Melanie has spent 17 years working in the NHS, education, and charity sectors. She has led and managed a range of multi-professional teams; at The Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust and Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust, holding a varied clinical background in paediatric acquired brain injury, neurodevelopmental conditions and complex neurodisability.
Headteacher and DSL and Whistleblowing Lead
Launa is an experienced educational leader with a career spanning both mainstream primary education and specialist provision. A qualified teacher of children and young people with visual impairment (QTVI), she holds a Master's degree in Education and the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL).
Co-Headteacher
With over 20 years’ experience of school leadership in both mainstream secondary and special needs schools, Robin provides the school with great knowledge and understanding of the complexities of managing schools. Prior to joining us, in December 2024, Robin was Headteacher of a Special School in Oxfordshire. He has a Masters degree in Education Leadership and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
Deputy Headteacher and DSL
Maz has been part of The Children's Trust School since 2016, initially joining as a class teacher before assuming the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2019. In addition to her responsibilities as Deputy Headteacher, she serves as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the school community.
Head of School and Community Therapies
Susie joined our school team in September 2024. Susie has worked at The Children’s Trust for the past 13 years, working mostly with our Community Rehabilitation Service. Over the last few years, she has moved into leadership roles working with the rehabilitation therapies team. Susie is a qualified Occupational Therapist and has worked for a variety of paediatric settings before joining The Children’s Trust.
Chair of Trustees, Appointments and Remuneration Committees (Committees Chair)
Steve Flanagan is Chief Executive of CSH Surrey, an employee-owned, not-for-profit organisation providing NHS community healthcare for children and adults in Surrey.
Senior Mental Health lead
Ish, a registered Health Play Specialist, joined The Children’s Trust School therapy team in early 2021. In 2024, she moved into the role of senior mental health and behaviour support. With expertise in child development, therapeutic play, and psychosocial wellbeing, she collaborates with the multi-disciplinary team, families, and external professionals to create personalised strategies that support students’ emotional resilience and mental health. Ish is dedicated to fostering a safe, nurturing environment for every child to thrive.
PETAL Teacher
Sarah is our PETAL (Professional Excellence, Training and Learning Lead
Melanie Burrough
Director of Therapies and Education
Melanie has spent 17 years working in the NHS, education, and charity sectors. She has led and managed a range of multi-professional teams; at The Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust and Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust, holding a varied clinical background in paediatric acquired brain injury, neurodevelopmental conditions and complex neurodisability.
Melanie has a MSc in Professional Development, with research interests in quality improvement and knowledge translation. In 2015, she was awarded ‘outstanding occupational therapist of the year’ for a quality improvement service re-design across Camden mainstream schools. She is also Chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists School-based occupational therapy clinical forum.
Launa Randles
Headteacher and DSL and Whistleblowing Lead
Launa is an experienced educational leader with a career spanning both mainstream primary education and specialist provision. A qualified teacher of children and young people with visual impairment (QTVI), she holds a Master's degree in Education and the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL).
Launa joined The Children's Trust in January 2016 as Deputy Head and played a pivotal role in the ongoing development of the School. She was appointed Head of School in 2019 and became Headteacher in January 2023. Through her strategic leadership and commitment to inclusion, she has helped ensure the School continues to provide exceptional education and support for children and young people with complex needs.
Under Launa's leadership, The Children's Trust School achieved an Outstanding Ofsted judgement across all areas in 2023, reflecting the School's exceptional quality of education, child-centred approach and strong leadership and management
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to specialist education, Launa was awarded the TES Specialist Provision School Leader of the Year Award in 2026.
Passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with complex needs, Launa is committed to ensuring every pupil is recognised as an individual and supported to communicate, participate and flourish in ways that are meaningful to them.
Robin Bertrand
Co-Headteacher
With over 20 years’ experience of school leadership in both mainstream secondary and special needs schools, Robin provides the school with great knowledge and understanding of the complexities of managing schools. Prior to joining us, in December 2024, Robin was Headteacher of a Special School in Oxfordshire. He has a Masters degree in Education Leadership and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).
Maruzaan Hanlon
Deputy Headteacher and DSL
Maz has been part of The Children's Trust School since 2016, initially joining as a class teacher before assuming the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2019. In addition to her responsibilities as Deputy Headteacher, she serves as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the school community.
Susie Nolan
Head of School and Community Therapies
Susie joined our school team in September 2024. Susie has worked at The Children’s Trust for the past 13 years, working mostly with our Community Rehabilitation Service. Over the last few years, she has moved into leadership roles working with the rehabilitation therapies team. Susie is a qualified Occupational Therapist and has worked for a variety of paediatric settings before joining The Children’s Trust.
Steve Flanagan
Chair of Trustees, Appointments and Remuneration Committees (Committees Chair)
Steve Flanagan is Chief Executive of CSH Surrey, an employee-owned, not-for-profit organisation providing NHS community healthcare for children and adults in Surrey. He brings decades of leadership and transformation experience within the NHS, third and private sectors. He has previously held roles as Chief Executive of The Fremantle Trust and Managing Director of Bupa Home Healthcare. He is taking up this role as a voluntary position, in addition to his ongoing full-time role at CSH Surrey.
Ishbel Harris
Senior Mental Health lead
Ish, a registered Health Play Specialist, joined The Children’s Trust School Therapy team in early 2021. In 2024, she moved into the role of senior mental health and behaviour support.
With expertise in child development, therapeutic play, and psychosocial wellbeing, she collaborates with the multi-disciplinary team, families, and external professionals to create personalised strategies that support students’ emotional resilience and mental health. Ish is dedicated to fostering a safe, nurturing environment for every child to thrive.
Sarah Townsend
PETAL Teacher
Sarah is our PETAL (Professional Excellence, Training and Learning Lead
Our Educational Governance Committee (The Children's Trust School Governing Body) meets termly and is made up of representatives from the community, parents and school staff.
Find out about our membersOur teaching team's dedication and expertise create a nurturing and enriching learning environment for all our students. We are proud to have these exceptional educators shaping the future of our school.
Head of EYFS Department and MUSST Lead for Cognition
Molly is an experienced practitioner with a remarkable ability to support families during the crucial start of the EHCp process. Her commitment to early childhood education is truly inspiring.
Purple Class Lead and MUSST Lead in Communication
In Key Stage Three, Anna leads Purple Class and serves as our MUSST lead in communication. Her dedication to fostering effective communication skills is invaluable to our students.
Green Class Lead
Janice is the lead teacher for Green Class. She ensures our students receive age respectful and comprehensive education in this vital area.
Blue Class Lead and MUSST Lead for Environmental Control Technology Curriculum
In Key Stage 4 and 5, Anne heads Blue Class and is our MUSST lead for the Environmental Control Technology curriculum. Her expertise in this field equips our students with autonomy.
Platinum Class Lead , sixth Form Oversight and MUSST Lead for Physical
In our Sixth Form, Phil provides oversight for two crucial MUSST areas: physical education and Sixth Form education. He is based in Platinum, where students receive age-respectful support to prepare for adulthood. Phil does support the chairing of annual reviews.
Support for Teachers, support for MUSST lead sixth form
Ashlea plays a pivotal role in supporting our teaching team, providing essential PPA (Planning, Preparation, and Assessment) time and management assistance for our educators.
Music Education & MUSST Lead
Franz is the Music Lead, overseeing music provision across the school. He holds a BMus, PGCE and PGCert in Music and Special Needs, with specialist training in the Sounds of Intent framework.
Yellow Class Lead
Ellen has over 10 years of experience at The Children’s Trust School, beginning in the Early Years classroom, where she quickly became a valued member of the team. After successfully achieving a First-Class BA Honours degree in Early Childhood, we are thrilled to announce her exciting new role as the class teacher of Yellow Class.
Teacher and MUSST Lead for RSE
Becca teaches Year 6 and 7 pupils in Pink Class and leads our Making Us Subject Specialist Teams (MUSST) for Personal, Social, Emotional Wellbeing (PSEWB). She also oversees our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). Having completed her Master’s in Inclusion at the University of Birmingham, her research on mental health in learners with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) continues to guide her work.
Senior Specialist Teaching Assistant
Scott is a music educator and the school’s Digital Content Lead. He delivers music provision across the school alongside Franz Allard and creates digital content that showcases the work, achievements and initiatives of staff and young people across the school.
Molly Ramsay
Head of EYFS Department and MUSST Lead for Cognition
Molly is an experienced practitioner with a remarkable ability to support families during the crucial start of the EHCp process. Her commitment to early childhood education is truly inspiring.
Anna Spencer
Purple Class Lead and MUSST Lead in Communication
In Key Stage Three, Anna leads Purple Class and serves as our MUSST lead in communication. Her dedication to fostering effective communication skills is invaluable to our students.
Janice Organ
Green Class Lead
Janice is the lead teacher for Green Class and our MUSST lead for the essential RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) curriculum. She ensures our students receive age respectful and comprehensive education in this vital area.
Anne French
Blue Class Lead and MUSST Lead for Environmental Control Technology Curriculum
In Key Stage XX Anne heads Blue Class and is our MUSST lead for the Environmental Control Technology curriculum. Her expertise in this field equips our students with autonomy.
Phil Cox
Platinum Class Lead , sixth Form Oversight and MUSST Lead for Physical
In our Sixth Form, Phil provides oversight for two crucial MUSST areas: physical education and Sixth Form education. He is based in Platinum, where students receive age-respectful support to prepare for adulthood. Phil does support the chairing of annual reviews.
Ashlea Philips
Support for Teachers, support for MUSST lead sixth form
Ashlea plays a pivotal role in supporting our teaching team, providing essential PPA (Planning, Preparation, and Assessment) time and management assistance for our educators.
Franz Allard
Music Education & MUSST Lead
Franz is the Music Lead, overseeing music provision across the school. He holds a BMus, PGCE and PGCert in Music and Special Needs, with specialist training in the Sounds of Intent framework.
Working alongside Scott Harris, Franz develops and delivers an inclusive music curriculum for our young people. Together, they also support inclusive ensemble work through the Sixth Form band, CedarSuperSound, and contribute to weekly music sessions for children and young people accessing rehabilitation, using musical interaction to support social connection, wellbeing and emotional regulation.
Franz is particularly interested in breaking down barriers to music-making through inclusive practice and the imaginative use of technology, enabling young people to develop musical skills, build musical agency and experience the control, confidence and enjoyment of making music with others.
In 2026, Franz and Scott received a Pearson National Teaching Awards Bronze Award in the Unsung Heroes category, recognising their work in inclusive music education and rehabilitation music provision.
Ellen Paterson
Yellow Class Lead
Ellen has over 10 years of experience at The Children’s Trust School, beginning in the Early Years classroom, where she quickly became a valued member of the team. After successfully achieving a First-Class BA Honours degree in Early Childhood, we are thrilled to announce her exciting new role as the class teacher of Yellow Class.
Rebecca Ferry
Teacher and MUSST Lead for RSE
Becca teaches Year 6 and 7 pupils in Pink Class and leads our Making Us Subject Specialist Teams (MUSST) for Personal, Social, Emotional Wellbeing (PSEWB). She also oversees our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). Having completed her Master’s in Inclusion at the University of Birmingham, her research on mental health in learners with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) continues to guide her work.
Scott Harris
Senior Specialist Teaching Assistant
Scott is a music educator and the school’s Digital Content Lead. He delivers music provision across the school alongside Franz Allard and creates digital content that showcases the work, achievements and initiatives of staff and young people across the school.
Scott holds a PGCert in Music and Special Needs, with specialist training in the Sounds of Intent framework. He is passionate about music-making and its power to help young people feel heard, valued and able to express themselves.
In his digital content role, Scott supports the school’s communication with parents, families and professionals, helping to share the breadth and impact of the school’s work more widely.
In 2026, Scott and Franz received a Pearson National Teaching Awards Bronze Award in the Unsung Heroes category, recognising their work in inclusive music education and rehabilitation music provision.
Our multidisciplinary therapy team is located on-site and works within the school and residential houses during the day, providing holistic therapy provision.
Our school therapy team includes:
The children and young people we support have access to our wide range of facilities on site, including an aquatic therapy pool and assistive technology, as well as the grounds to participate in leisure activities.
The therapy team works closely with the team around each child. Individualised therapy is provided for each child as outlined within their education, health, and care plan. This could include 1-1 music therapy sessions, rebound therapy, 1-1 communication sessions, or specialist physio or occupational therapy interventions.
As well as individualised therapy, the team also offers whole school working, delivering training and support within classrooms and a range of different therapy groups. We work to enhance every child’s participation and quality of life.
Lead School Nurse
Lead School Nurse
School Registered Nurse
School Registered Nurse
School Registered Nurse
School Registered Nurse
Kesh Foster-Patel
Lead School Nurse
Lead School Nurse
Debbie Preston
School Registered Nurse
School Registered Nurse
Stephanie Valentine-O'Connell
School Registered Nurse
School Registered Nurse
When it comes to your child's health and well-being, our dedicated school nurse team is here to provide unwavering support and care, including specialised health needs and recognising the holistic vulnerability of our children and young people. We understand that a healthy child is an engaged learner and a thriving individual, and that's why we go above and beyond to ensure every student's needs are met.
We start the school day with a warm welcome, ensuring every child feels safe and cared for from the moment they step into our school. Our team provides:
Day pupils health service provision the school nurses will be involved in the admissions assessment for any potential new day pupils, to ensure that the health needs of the child/young person can be met in school. The assessment will determine if any additional training will be required by staff to meet the needs of the individual prior to commencement of the placement and the level of health support they require during the school day.
Any new day pupil will be allocated one of the school nurses to be their named nurse. The school nurse team will develop a care plan in conjunction with the parent/guardian of the child and their current community health team e.g. GP (general practitioner), paediatrician, dietitian, community nurse, home care team. Any health-related protocols and plans will be formed using the guidance received from the relevant community health professional e.g. the child/young person’s current neurologist will be contacted for guidance on current epilepsy and seizure management. During their placement at The Children’s Trust School, the day pupil’s health reviews will continue to take place within their community team overseen by their own GP and paediatrician. The school nurse team will build relationships with the community team and share/request information appropriately in order to accurately determine the needs of the individuals, changes in their needs and identify interventions required to meet individual health needs to a high standard.
The Children’s Trust medical team of doctors and consultants will not be involved in the care of a day pupil. In order to meet the identified needs of a day pupil the school nurse team will require parents/ guardians to provide the individuals equipment on a daily basis e.g. enteral feeding equipment, continence aids. The school classroom can stock a small amount of stock if necessary and staff will communicate directly with parents/ guardians when they require replacement stock. If a child/young person is unwell they must not attend school and be seen by their own GP as necessary. If parents/ guardians are unsure of whether to send a child/ young person to school, they can make a telephone call to the school nurse for advice. For cases of vomiting and diarrhoea a child/young person must not attend school until 48 hours after the last vomit/loose stool for infection control reasons. If a child/young person becomes unwell during the school day, classroom staff will alert the school nurses who will make an initial assessment. Parents/guardians of the child/young person will be notified and advised to pick the child/young person up from school as necessary. In cases of emergency the child/young person will be transferred to hospital.
If you've been inspired and feel that this might be the right career path for you, explore our job vacancy page for opportunities to join our dedicated team and help make a difference to the lives of our students.
Search School job vacanciesAcross all classrooms we have allocated Specialist Teaching Assistants (STAs) to support the needs of the children across education, health, therapy and care.
These dedicated individuals play a pivotal role in supporting and enriching the learning experiences of our students, especially those with complex health conditions and multiple barriers to learning. Here are some of the essential qualities that make our STAs invaluable members of our school community:
Promoting Active Learning: Our STAs are champions of active learning. They engage students in hands-on activities, discussions, and interactive experiences that make learning both fun and meaningful.
As a parent or family member, you will often engage with our dedicated support staff, witnessing firsthand how they enhance your child's learning journey. At the Children's Trust School, we are committed to providing a supportive and enriching educational environment where every child can reach their full potential, thanks in no small part to the exceptional qualities of our Specialist Teacher Assistants
Join us in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for our children, as you work alongside our dedicated staff to support their growth and development.
Join the volunteer teamOur dedicated administrative team at our school ensures smooth operations and safety.
SEND Lead
Specialises in the co-ordination of the EHCP process, supporting all stakeholders in special educational needs and disabilities.
Compliance and Regulatory Lead
Ensures our school adheres to regulations and standards.
School Receptionist
The welcoming face of our institution, providing assistance and facilitating communication. Interactions with this team help ensure a smooth learning journey for your child. They offer open communication, support, resources, safety, and compliance, enhancing the overall school experience for students, parents, and staff.
Lynne Black
SEND Lead
Specialises in the co-ordination of the EHCP process, supporting all stakeholders in special educational needs and disabilities.
Elaine Lush
Compliance and Regulatory Lead
Ensures our school adheres to regulations and standards.
Joan Bannister
School Receptionist
The welcoming face of our institution, providing assistance and facilitating communication. Interactions with this team help ensure a smooth learning journey for your child. They offer open communication, support, resources, safety, and compliance, enhancing the overall school experience for students, parents, and staff.
