Staff

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

KAY JONES

Managing Director

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Kay has a professional qualifications in Business Management and Human Resource Management.

She started her career in the Department for Employment but took a career break to have her family.

On return to the work place, she studied counselling skills and psychology before taking up a post at Welshpool High School where she was Pastoral Manager, closely working with challenging young people and supporting families through crisis. She gained experience in safeguarding and worked closely with multi agencies to improve outcomes for young people.

In 2007, she set up the Lifehouse with her husband, and Meg, and took on the role of business manager whilst also developing her role as Safeguarding Lead and therapeutic development within the school.

Now, with 25 years of experience, her focus remains business development and human resource management, but her passion for safeguarding and child psychology is as evident as ever.

Outside of work her interests are horse riding, European travel, reading all sorts of things and art.

MEG JONES

Executive Head

Meg Jones, also a founding Director, is Executive Head and leads academic curriculum and school development decisions. Meg has a BSc Honors degree and is a fully qualified teacher with over 30 years experience. Meg holds a certificate in dyslexia; literacy, support and intervention. She is the SENCO and lead practioner for reviews for EHCPs and Statements of Special Needs. Meg is a phenomenal energy pack and always entirely child focused in her aspirations for outcomes and improvement. Meg is also a Duke of Edinburgh award assessor and enjoys walking the coastal path of Wales, attending festivals with family and friends and generally having fun!

NICI JONES

Headteacher of Upper School

Nici Jones is the Headteacher of Upper School and has a Master of Education. She is a highly experienced Maths teacher and has many years experience teaching in further education settings. She has taught from entry level right through to being a lecturer in University. Nici's particular interest is in progressing pupils on their pathway to adulthood and their transition into the wider world. She also has the role of qualification manager ensuring transitions for the upper school are planned, giving each pupil the best opportunity for a succesful future. Nici is a specialist maths teacher, an experienced ICT tutor, citizenship and law, although her interest is in Ancient History and the Classics.

Nici is a qualified Thrive practitioner and has made the focus of her training adolesence.

In her free time Nici enjoys her rare breed farming and adding to her collection!

FIONA DAVIES

Headteacher of Lower School

Fiona is the Headteacher of Lower School. Fiona is highly experienced teacher of Drama and English and is enjoying extending this into Humanities at the Lifehouse. She was previously a member of the extended senior leadership team at Welshpool High School and recognised as an exceptional practitioner by her diploma in "aspiring senior leadership" and ERW lead practitioner for Drama in Wales. She is also an Estyn peer inspector for Independent Special Needs schools.

Fiona has brought with her a wealth of knowledge that has guided school improvement. Fiona's very child centred approach to teaching is well suited to the Lifehouse and she has embraced taking on training in Special Needs, Trauma, Adverse childhood experiences, Attachment difficulties, ASD and Anxiety.

A keen farmer, Fiona loves her rural heritage and we all enjoy sharing her home grown beef and pork! Yum!

KATE BROOME

Head of Therapy & Intervention

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Kate Broome is an exceptional jewel in our crown! Kate is a psychodynamic practitioner and all of her work is underpinned by current attachment theory. She has a BA(ons) in Art Therapy and PGDip Theory and Practice of Psychodynamics which lead her interventions and support work with the children. She has a foundation in cognitive behavioural therapy and many years of experience working with children in both residentials and education settings. Her main roles include facilitating and delivering training, practice development, consultancy and relationship based advice, and client centred therapeutic services to care and education providers, families and professionals. She can work directly with children in 1:1 or group forums. She also works directly with the staff team in dynamic group supervision and practise development forums. Additionally she also provides support and mentoring to parents/carers, foster and adopting parents. Kate has many years of experience working in some of the most reputable companies in Britain, and has also worked on projects for the government. She is now a member of the senior team and leads our therapeutic services.

Kate enjoys a rural lifestyle, living in the beautiful Tanat Valley with her family and a small entourage of animals. She loves walking and chilling with friends. Nice!

JOE DAVIES

Head of Day Management

Joe Davies has been with The Lifehouse from its earliest days. Wholly committed to each child having a positive expereince, Joe manaeges the day to day 'shop floor' optimising staff time and pupil experience. A voice of common sense and reason, Joe's pragmatic take on life is a real assett in our senior leadership team. Joe and his experience of working in the care sector prepared him well for his work with us and his entirely child-centred ethos fitted with our policy and practice.

Joe is a qualified sports activity leader and coach. He's qualifed and highly experienced in de-escalation and behaviour management techniques where his focus has always been on managing challenging behaviour through a calming and therapeutic approach. He has studied attachment theory, ASD, ADHD, ACE's and Safeguarding. Joe keeps a global view of health and safety and risk assessment for pupils at the Lifehouse.

Joe is a KEEN sportsman and plays with dogged determination in many local leagues and teams. His passion is golf, closely followed by tennis. Joe is a real family man, with many local connections having being born within a few miles of Bettws.

EMMA GALLIER

PA to the Directors

Business Administrator

Emma is our front of house and first point of contact for most people. Emma has vast experience of working with children and for 10 years prior to joining us was a Room Leader teaching the Foundation Phase to children aged 3-5. Emma's experience in education and her exceptional interpersonal skills have been a great asset to the Lifehouse. Emma has trained in First Aid, Safeguarding and takes an active role in the Health and Safety at the Lifehouse.

Emma is a mum to two boys and when she isn't in the Bettws Office she is at home with her family and their dogs Max and Belle on the farm.

Emma enjoys family time, being with friends, keeping fit, laughing and shopping for lovely things.

JO DAWSON

Finance Manager

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Maxine Bond

Administration Officer (Exams & Management Team support) - Upper School

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KIERAN KING

Lower School Wellbeing Lead & Deputy Day Manager

Teacher - Photography and Landbased

Garden Manager, THRIVE Practitioner, Pupil Champion, Therapeautic Pupil Support.

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Kieran has been at the Lifehouse for 6 years. He holds a degree in Sports Science from the University of Bangor, a Thrive Practitioner’s Licence, an RHS Certificate in Horticulture and is trained in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture. His personal interests include spending time with family and friends, gardening, music and loves playing sports such as tennis and football and going bouldering in the mountains. In school, Kieran works as a garden teacher/therapist, is a wellbeing lead and pupil champion. Supporting the pupils’ positive social, emotional and physical development is at the heart of everything Kieran does at the Lifehouse and you will usually find him working in the garden, on a photography adventure in the woods or playing sport.

Kieran is a fully trained and experienced practitioner in creating and using ‘Social Stories’. He is also a trained facilitator in ‘Talking Mats’, a strategy and resource developed by Glasgow University.

Both of these skills are widely used across our pupil base and in conjunction with the key workers who know the child best.

STEPHEN PARKINSON

Upper School Wellbeing Lead

Therapeutic Learning Support

Lifeskills Instructor

Learning Coach

Forest School Leader

Duke Of Edinburgh Award Leader

Family Support and Intervention

TRACEY EDWARDS

Lower School - Lead Teacher for River Group

Lower school SENCo

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Tracey joined the Lifehouse in April 2019.

Tracey qualified as a Primary school teacher in 1998 and received a 2:1 Bachelor of Education degree with Honours, after working in two Primary schools she decided to move her career and concentrate on working in special education, where she has spent the last twenty years. Tracey has worked in two Shropshire special schools, during this time she gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education in 2016, a large proportion of the study concentrated on how to support children with ASD and complex needs. Tracey says "This has informed and influenced the way I teach and nurture young people."

Tracey is a lover of the great outdoors and qualified as a Forest school leader, and says "It feels like such a privilege to share time in a woodland environment and it has so many beneficial effects to support education and wellbeing."

At home, Tracey is a keen horse rider who loves to have adventures with her horse Tilly. When the weather is not so good Tracey has a keen interest in Art and she enjoys painting.

DANIELLE WILLIAMS

Lower School - Lead Teacher for Brook Group

Danielle has a BA (Hons) Education Studies with ALN/SEN, which centred around primary school level learning (4-11yrs) with a special focus on special educational needs. The areas of SEN she focused on throughout her degree were dyslexia, BESD and SLCN. She also gained knowledge in the areas of the psychology of education, inclusion and diversity and learning beyond the classroom. After completing her degree she completed a Primary PGCE, where the focus was more on the cross curricular opportunities in the classroom and the importance of being a reflective practitioner.

DICKON FAUX-NIGHTINGALE

Upper School Lead Teacher

Teacher (PGCE) - ICT

JULIE JONES

Lower School Teacher (QTS) Maths and Welsh

ICT Co-ordinator

Therapeutic Pupil Support

Pupil Champion

BOB WHITEHALL

Teacher (QTS) English, Drama and Humanities

THRIVE Practitioner

Therapeutic Learning Support

Pupil Champion

OWEN STIMPSON

Lower School Teacher (PGCE) Science and Engineering

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Pupil Champion

Therapeutic Pupil Support

SAM WILLIAMS

HUB E4L Teacher

PE Instructor

Therapeutic Pupil Support

Pupil Champion

TIM HARRISON

Kitchen Manager - Upper School

Therapeautic Learning Support

DT / Cooking / Engineering Instructor

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I have 25 years professional catering and business management experience in all aspects including menu development for large chains and food journalism. I am also a qualified Mobility and Strength and Conditioning coach. In the last few years I have learned origami and use it in various art works. I recently certified as a Physical intervention and conflict desescalation staff trainer.

SALINA PRICE

Upper School Teacher

Teacher (PGCE) PSHE and RE

ABC (Level 4) Therapeutic Counsellor

Therapeutic Pupil Support

RACHEL WILLIAMS

Kitchen Manager - Lower School

Cooking Instructor

Saddle Club Session Leader

Animal Care Instructor

Therapeutic Pupil Support

Pupil Champion

KAREN JONES

Therapeutic Support

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Cooking Instructor

Animal Care Instructor

Pupil Champion

ALICE EVANS

Lower School Therapeutic Support

Before joining The Lifehouse in September 2019, Alice was a Level 2 teaching assistant in a secondary school as 1:1 support for SEN/EHCP pupils, and has experience in working closely with children with ASD, ADHD and ODD. She has a BA Hons degree in Education, which has supported her in becoming a reflective practitioner and provided her with the knowledge and understanding of creating an inclusive environment with a differentiated activity/approach for each child to support their confidence and independence. She has worked with a large age range of children due to carrying out 2 primary school placements during her degree, and can adapt suitably to the age/needs of the child.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dog, spending time with family, looking after her jungle of house plants and occasionally getting out the paints and sketch pad!

PAULA HUGHES

Therapeutic Support

TOM HORNE

Lower School Therapeutic Support

Pupil Champion

Tom joined Lifehouse team in September 2019 after working for Camp America for four summers in Connecticut. Tom worked in a number of different roles from bunk counsellor, water ski instructor and finally achieved the responsible role of division leader. As well as this Tom has significant interpersonal skills after working in the hospitality industry for ten years. He has a higher Education Qualification in Travel and Tourism. His passion is for sports, the outdoors and helping young people reach their potential. This makes Lifehouse the right place for his ambition to have a full time career in education.

CLAIRE EVANS

Therapeutic Support