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 my 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.  I completed the ISBL level 7 certificate in School Financial and Operational Management in 2019.

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. 

Mr T Boast

I graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2009 with a degree in Journalism and qualified as a primary school teacher in 2011 after completing the Graduate Teacher Programme. Since then, I have worked in a range of school settings in the UK and internationally and loved working in Hong Kong for four years. After returning to the UK, I have worked in SEN schools and as a supply teacher and am now relishing the opportunity of working at Acorn.  I am currently working towards completing my NPQSENCO, which I am finding both rewarding and challenging. 

Outside of school, I love travelling and spending time outdoors. I was fortunate enough to combine both of my passions by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and have also trekked in the Himalayas. look forward to taking my young family on similar adventures in the future. I also love sports - both watching & playing, especially football, cricket, golf & squash.

Mrs S Cook

I graduated from Edge Hill College with a degree in English and Drama and went on to work for Help the Aged, The York and County Pres and York Theatre Royal before turning to teaching to share my passion for English Language and Literature. After 14 years  teaching in the UK, I branched out and am now returning after 6 years working in Spain and 4 years in the UAE. Ten great years when I have learned a lot. 

Originally from the North West, I moved to Yorkshire and brought up my children in the 80s and I am delighted to be settling into a very old house near my family in Newark, hoping to indulge my obsession with paint and soft furnishings. I am also a great fan of theatre and drama and can't wait to be part of and attend shows and plays here in the UK- something I really missed overseas. 

I am looking forward to being part of the Acorn team, helping and supporting students on their educational journey. And, hopefully, having some fun along the way!

 

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 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 my Counselling qualifications, where I went on to gain my Diploma in Counselling skills and theory, as well as a Specialist Diploma in Counselling Children and young people; I am a registered BACP Counsellor.  I have since gained further CPD around Suicidal Ideations, Self-harm, and Narcissism as well as gaining a Mental Health First aider qualification

My interests include reading, supporting my own children with their sports (swimming and football) and spending time with my family; movie nights, music concerts and long walks being our favourite family pastimes.

Ms J Brownlow: Engagement & Outreach Officer

In 2009 I graduated from university with a degree in Criminology and Social Policy, I then spent time raising my family. As my children grew I fell into voluntary roles at their schools and nurseries, this led me to realisation that working in an educational setting was definitely where I wanted to be. I love how busy schools are and the shared sense of purpose within them.

In 2021 I completed my Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and spend the following year working in one of the schools where I had been on placement. Since then I have taught at a primary level and performed support roles in secondary school. I came to Acorn in Easter 2024 as a teaching assistant, since then I have moved into the engagement team which I absolutely love. I feel lucky to be part of such a cracking team and privileged to be working with some truly outstanding and unique young people.

Outside of work I love a good book. I enjoy spending time with my big, noisy family and working on my crumbly, old house.

Mrs L Tonks: Engagement & Outreach Officer

I started my journey as a Teaching Assistant in a primary school - I was in this role for over 9 years. I then completed a BA Honours Degree with QTS and taught in the same Primary school for 3 years. In 2021, I had my little girl and took some time off with her. I am now lucky enough to have the opportunity to be working alongside a fantastic team of people and wonderful students as an Engagement Officer at Acorn. 

During the journey within education, I was finding there was a gap in mainstream schools for supporting children and young people as people, not just with academics as well as mental health. This is and always has been a huge passion. I became a teacher as I was determined to give time to students who needed to talk and ensure these needs were met. I feel so fortunate to be now working in a role where the pastoral needs of students are the centre of our work.

I have recently completed a course in Drawing and Talking Therapy and I very much look forward to offering this from September.

In the future, I am excited to continue developing my knowledge and experiences within psychology and therapeutic methods. I may continue my masters in psychology. 

In my own time, I love spending time with my husband, daughter and dog. We like visits to the woods or going to water parks. I enjoy crafts; I find it therapeutic and helps to calm my mind.

Mrs R Harper – Head of Personal Development

I studied Psychology, Criminology, Sociology and English Literature at A-Level, and in 2008, graduated from the University of Lincoln with a BA Honours in Journalism.

I have been working at Acorn since 2021, when I joined as a TA and achieved my Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

Now, as Head of Personal Development, I support our young people in making well-informed choices about their Post-16 Pathways.

I aim to motivate our students to become ambitious young adults and I enjoy providing opportunities for them to explore their options for the future.

As Student Council Leader, I appreciate working alongside our dedicated and conscientious Student Representatives, and by designing and implementing the school rewards system, I am able to celebrate the achievements and hard work of all of our young people with the rest of the Acorn community.

Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my own children and supporting them in their hobbies.

We like to walk our family dog and love to spend time outdoors.

Miss C Hansen: Trainee Engagement & Outreach Officer

I have worked continuously in the Education sector for the past 12 years. I graduated from University in 2017 with a BA Honours degree in Childhood Studies. During my time as Deputy Manager of an Early Years setting, I worked closely with families and external professionals to ensure their children were able to access a fair education from a young age, and created a foundation of effective communication and inclusivity to support parents/carers and the students also. I am looking forward to continuing this within my Role as an Engagement officer at Acorn and in the wider community, with the support from the great team around me.

 

I am very invested in creating an inclusive and understanding environment, where the students feel comfortable to express themselves in a safe way, allowing us, the Engagement Team, to work with them to put strategies and plans in place to further their education and personal understanding.

Teaching Assistant Team

Miss R Beall: Teaching Assistant

I have graduated from Bishop Grosseteste University with a BA in History and Theology and a Master's in Theology. I will also be doing my PhD from Autumn 2024. I am very passionate about learning and education and truly believe that school is a wonderful and important part of our lives, I hope to impart that on as many young people as possible.

 

When I am not studying, I enjoy reading, in particular thriller or fantasy fiction! I love going out to eat and trying new places, I eat a lot of Asian food as that is my favorite, I also do a lot of cooking and baking. I like to watch cartoons and anime and am always happy to chat about what I am watching or reading.

Miss A Hall: Teaching Assistant

I have recently graduated from the University of Lincoln with a first-class degree in BA Education. This is the first step to becoming an educational psychologist. I am excited to join the team at Acorn and hope to introduce some of my learnings and ideas to aid the students here with their own educational journeys.  

In my free time I enjoy catching up with friends and family, cooking, and going on adventures. I particularly love being by the sea. My favourite place in the world is a tiny village in South Cornwall, I go every year with my family and have done for as long as I can remember. I love travelling and watching football matches abroad, my most recent trip was to Milan and the San Siro stadium! 

Miss S Brett-Hansen: Teaching Assistant

Mrs L McCarthy: Teaching Assistant

Mr J Chavner: Teaching Assistant

I graduated from BIMM Manchester with a degree in Popular Music Performance in Drums. I initially got into teaching when I spent a month in Poland teaching English in summer camps and gained a TEFL Certification. After my time in Poland, I taught English online before finding work as a learning mentor, primarily teaching English Language as well as Guitar and Drums.

 

Outside of teaching, I enjoy reading, writing, football, music, and travelling. I've been fortunate enough to have travelled through a majority of Europe, most recently spending a month in Germany and the surrounding countries.

Mr P Hannan: Teaching Assistant

I have worked in the care industry for 18 years, supporting children and young adults with autism, severe learning difficulties, and challenging behaviour. I hope to use the knowledge and experience I have gained to help the pupils at Acorn School to be the best they can be.

 

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my children and also playing football, going out for walks and making the most of every day.

Mr C Montgomery: Teaching Assistant.

In 2023 I left my role at my apprenticeship having achieved a distinction in Business Administration at LAGAT Training College, in October that year I started working in education as a TA at a school in Newark, I realised it was the correct sector for me when I managed to establish a good rapport with students very quickly. As a family we have experience of fostering and I am keen to continue to work with students who have social worker experience. 

 

I very much enjoy spending my Saturdays with my partner and my group of friends, we usually end up playing card games and video games, I also do Airsoft once a month locally in Lincoln & I do also go the gym in my spare time too. I'm also an avid fan of football (specifically Manchester United) and boxing.

Miss F Castledine: Teaching Assistant.

I studied Chemistry, Geography and Physical Education at A-level and entered the education sector in February 2025 working among mainstream and SEN in both primary and secondary. I am incredibly excited to start my Acorn journey allowing all students to strive to their best potential.

 

In my spare time I enjoy playing national level netball and even being selected last season for the Nottingham Forest U21 program. I also enjoy long walks with my family and friends particularly in the peaks and Lake District. Over the summer I spend my time travelling all over the world, Thailand is my current favourite!  

Admin Team

Mrs S Tan – Assistant School Business Manager/ 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

Site Management

Mr S Taylor: Site Manager