Staff

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs A Dawson: Headteacher

I graduated from the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1998 with BA (Hons) in English and American Literature, completing my Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of East Anglia the following year. I completed by NPQH in 2021.

I have been Headteacher at Acorn since September 2019. Prior to this, I worked in mainstream secondary schools for twenty years, taking leadership roles in behaviour management and pastoral care.

I am a fan of renovation and interiors and like nothing more than browsing online for new ideas to decorate our home!

Leading Acorn is a massive privilege and I am humbled every day by my staff’s commitment to changing the aspirations of the young people in our care.

Mrs L Shury: Deputy Headteacher

I graduated in 2005 from Edge Hill University with a BSc in Secondary Design and Technology with Qualified Teacher Status. My first teaching post was in Grimsby delivering Design Technology where I stayed for 9 years.  

My passion for developing a career through a pastoral route led me to move to Acorn in 2014 as Senior Teacher running the KS4 academic group.  I am now Deputy Head teacher in charge of Pastoral Care and love being able to support our students.

I have four dogs and enjoy taking them to run through the local countryside. In 2017 I set myself the challenge of gaining my motorbike license and now spend many school holidays touring Europe and the UK.

Mrs R Rowe: Business Manager

I graduated from Heriot-Watt University with a BSc in Environmental Management and Technology, I then went on to study at Leeds University graduating with a MSc in Catchment Dynamics and Management. Following this I worked for a civil engineering company as a Hydrologist primarily on flood defence projects for the Environment Agency.  In 2011 when my children were small I decided to retrain and I undertook level 3 and 4 AAT accounting qualifications at Lincoln College.  

I have been at Acorn since we opened in 2013 initially as Finance Officer before taking on the role of Business Manager and Chief Financial officer in 2015.  More recently in 2019 I completed the ISBL level 7 certificate in School Financial and Operational Management and Cert FRA (Certificate in Financial Reporting for Academies).

Away from Acorn I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and being outdoors gardening, camping, cycling and canoeing.

Mrs N Desmond: Assistant Headteacher

I graduated from The University of Sheffield with a BA Hons in English and History before attending Keele University where I completed my PGCE in Secondary English. I have been teaching English and Sociology in a number of mainstream secondary schools in Lincolnshire since 2000 before joining Acorn in January of 2022. 

I took a couple of years out of secondary school teaching to teach in primary schools but my passion for teaching English Literature pulled me back in, and I love nothing better than reading a good book with the students as well as in my free time. 

Away from the classroom, my time is devoted to my children and renovating our Victorian cottage. I also enjoy camping holidays and cosy nights in, watching Scandinavian crime dramas.

 

Teaching Team

Miss K Cook-Bell

I attended University in London and graduated with a BSc Hons degree. Following my graduation I got a job on a prestigious graduate trainee management course for a FT100 company. I specialised in project management and worked all over the country. After years of working in the City I relocated to the Midlands and completed my teacher training qualification. I have been teaching for 16 years and have worked in Coventry, Birmingham and Lincolnshire. I have been Head of Department in several school and have taught Mathematics and Science across all age groups.

I joined Acorn in June 2022 as a Maths and Science teacher and I am excited to be part of an outstanding team that helps the students to reach their full potential.

Outside of work I have travelled extensively to over 45 different countries. I enjoy trying new cuisines and immersing myself in new cultures. I am a sports fanatic and love participating in activities including skiing, squash, paddle boarding, bungee jumping, sky diving, surfing, netball, swimming and numerous others. 

Mr M Chapman

My career began working in the motor industry as a Technician and was happy in that role for 22 years. I decided to complete my teaching qualifications and achieved a Batchelors Degree in Education and Training. 

I also hold qualifications as an Internal and External Assessor, working with schools and further education providers to help young people gain vocational qualifications. I have worked in education institutions across the County. I joined the Acorn Team in September 2022 and am keen to work with the staff and young people as a part of the Mechanical Engineering department. 

SEND

Mrs S Allen: SENDCo

I have been a SENDCo for 16 years, 10 of those years were spent in a mainstream school. I joined Acorn in 2014. I spend most of my time with my two children, keeping them busy. My real passion is the theatre, watching productions rather than being in them! I enjoy working at Acorn because it provides some of our most vulnerable youngsters with a safe place where they can learn to cope with life; we make a difference.

Engagement Team

Mrs A Clay: Engagement & Outreach Officer

After graduating with BA Hons in Communication Arts: Drama, I spent some time touring schools with Theatre in Education companies including ten months in Germany playing a pirate! This led me into Youth Work for Nacro, the crime reduction charity before joining Barnardo’s as a Leaving Care Worker. This role gave me the opportunity to support young people in foster care in their transition to adulthood and was both challenging and rewarding.

I started my role at Acorn in February 2022 and am really enjoying supporting our students with their emotional wellbeing and seeing them achieve their potential. I am fortunate in that my Outreach role also allows me to meet and work with students in other schools on a one to one basis.

Outside of work, I am mum to two young boys and am often found on the sideline of a football pitch on a weekend. We also enjoy baking together. I like going to the theatre, seeing friends, catching up on TV and running (albeit very slowly). I am also a volunteer befriender for Age UK.

Mrs T Lilley: Engagement & Outreach Officer

I gained my Bed Hons Degree at Nottingham Trent University and began my teaching career in a Primary school in Lincoln. I spent many years within the primary school system where I found a love for behaviour that challenged, children with additional needs and supporting the mental health of both parents and their children. My passion lies with understanding links with behaviour and past trauma, particularly Attachment. Following these interests, I went on to study a Post Graduate SEND qualification at Bishop Grosseteste.

After leaving teaching I went on to work with families in the Children’s Centres of Lincolnshire, it was whilst working here that my passion for mental health developed further as I began to work on supporting and developing family attachments. This led me to study and gain my Level 3 Certificate in Counselling skills and Theory. I am currently studying a Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory and  an Advanced Diploma in Children and Young People Counselling Skills and Theory. These skills support my current role at Acorn where I am able to show understanding and compassion to the student’s needs.

My interests include reading, supporting my own children with their sports, swimming and football and spending time with my family. Movie nights and long walks being one of our favourite family pastimes.

Miss L Pattison: Engagement & Outreach Officer

My qualifications include a Counselling Diploma and Primary Teaching degree with Bachelors of Art.  

I spent a year volunteering as a counsellor for a local hospice. I moved on to spending 4 years within the primary school teaching system. It is here I found a love for working with children with SEND and challenging behaviour.  I then took a role of an Academy Counsellor which supported children's mental health and well-being.  My passion is supporting children with both their mental health and learning. It is here I also found a love for working with children with school attendance issues. 

My job role at Acorn allows me to utilise all of these skills I have gained throughout my career. I value working in a team and learning new things.

Outside of work, I am a mum to a 12 year old boy. We spend our time walking our family dog and enjoy baking together. We also share a love for the West End in London.  My hobbies are playing the piano and gardening. My favourite season is summer. 

Teaching Assistant Team

Mrs G Round: Resources Lead

I have worked with young people for most of my career, mainly working with young offenders with Lincolnshire Youth Offending Service. During that time I saw first-hand the affects that school exclusions, having little prospects and motivation can have on young people and their families. 

I took early retirement from the above role in 2018, but still felt that I wanted to help young people achieve. My role at Acorn has enabled me to do this and feel great satisfaction when our students achieve. 

When at home I very much enjoy cooking and love to share my practical skills with students at Acorn.

Mrs R Harper – Teaching Assistant

I have been working as a Teaching Assistant at Acorn since October 2021.

I have A-Levels in Psychology, Sociology and English Literature and graduated from Lincoln University with a BA Honours in Journalism in 2008.

After a short time working in a mainstream school, I was given the opportunity to work at Acorn as a full time TA. I feel privileged to work with such a talented team and love supporting our brilliant young people.

I am now on my way to completing my Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification and look forward to working on my next challenge.

I also have a passion for helping our older students find opportunities in work experience, further education and careers and work alongside them to help them achieve their GCSE’s.

Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two very active young children and our family dog. I like to exercise and be out in nature.

Miss E Hempsall: Pastoral Teaching Assistant

I am currently attending Bishop Grosseteste University to complete my teaching degree. Before pursuing my passion for teaching, I spent four years working with vulnerable people and their families, gaining valuable experience in communication, empathy, and problem-solving. 

Since I began working at Acorn in July 2022, the school has provided me with numerous opportunities to advance my career as a teacher.  

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, exploring new places, and spending time outdoors. I'm excited to continue my journey as a teacher, and I'm lucky to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students. 

Admin Team

Mrs S Tan – Administrator / Headteacher’s PA / Clerk to Governors

I have mainly worked within the finance sector. My roles have largely been based around office management, administration and customer service. As an office manager my responsibilities were ensuring the smooth and effective running of an administrative team. I was also Personal Assistant to the company director and was in charge of the business management and administration of 5 financial advisors and their clients. 

Outside of work I love to go running and enjoy activities which are based on physical fitness. My children and I like to bake and we also enjoy eating out. I also like to spend some time with a good book. 

My job role at Acorn allows me to utilise the skills I have gained throughout my career. I enjoy being part of a team and experiencing new challenges.

Mrs K Hardy: Administrator / Finance Officer

Mrs K Riley – Admin Assistant

I have previously worked as SEN Teaching Assistant for 8 years at a SEN school in Cambridgeshire.    It was both rewarding and fulfilling, seeing the difference I made to their young lives.

Back in 2016 I returned to Lincoln to supporting my ageing parents. Shortly after which I joined the Acorn team as a Teaching Assistant. Bringing with me the skills and past experiences, which were essential in helping, encouraging, and guiding the Acorn students to their full potential.

In June 2022, I reduced my hours and became an Administration Assistant. A role I am very confident in doing. I still support the Acorn team and uphold our Acorn values. I originally started in this field back in the 1970s, and my career has now come full circle. This enables me more time to dedicate to my parents and my creative hobbies. These include sewing machine projects, reading, cooking and long walks by the river near my home.