MAT Executive Leaderships Team (ID 1231)

• Debra Rutley
  Chief Executive Officer
  Debra Rutley

  Debra admits that she didn’t have a positive experience at school and that this has influenced the teacher and leader that she is today working within Alternative Provision. After graduating in Theology from Leeds University, Debra went into teaching, moving to Alternative Provision in 2002 as Deputy Head of The Wycombe Grange Pupil Referral Unit. Debra became Head Teacher of Aspire in 2012 when The Wycombe Grange merged with another Buckinghamshire PRU. In 2015, Debra was appointed Executive Head Teacher of Aspire Schools, a Multi Academy Trust with, at that time, 4 sites, before taking on the role of CEO in 2021.

  Today, Debra is a part-time CEO and an advocate for Flexible Working, as well as a champion of Leading with Love in order to get the best out of children and staff.

• Brian Lewis
  Chief Finance & Operations Officer
  Brian Lewis

  Brian Lewis is a qualified ACMA accountant with 25 years of solid experience in Management Accounting and he holds an MBA. Throughout his career, he held senior roles in NYSE 100 companies within the Financial Services sector, leading European Management Accounting teams through international Mergers & Acquisitions and strategic finance projects.

  Brian has lived in Buckinghamshire all his life. He organises and leads community projects, raises funds for charity, sits on the panel with the local police and other community leaders to implement strategies and initiatives to reduce crime in the local area; raises funds to improve education for under privileged youth and fosters engagement with the elderly. To that end, he is the Chairman of the Wycombe Multi-cultural Organisation (WMCO) and is the secretary of Beaconsfield Town Youth Football Club.

• Andrew Burton
  Executive Headteacher of Aspire & Head of Alternative Provision
  Andrew Burton

  Andrew Burton joined Aspire in February 2023, having served for over 20 years in mainstream and PRU/Alternative Provision (AP) settings around the UK. He began his educational career, as a Modern Foreign Language Teacher, and has held various roles within a school setting, including KS4 Phase Leader, Assistant Headteacher, Headteacher and Executive Headteacher of the City of Manchester Learning Partnership.

  Andrew has completed an MA in Educational Change Management and has achieved his NPQH with Ambition Institute. He is an Intermediate Team Teach tutor and has delivered support to mainstream Schools and PRU/APs on managing and understanding behaviour. He is currently undertaking the EMCC Practitioner Award in Coaching.

  Andrew lives in Buckinghamshire with his family. He enjoys playing golf and is a keen supporter of Aston Villa Football Club.

Schools Executive Leadership Team (ID 1235)

• Jake Brindley
  Head of SEMH & KS2 FMV, Director of Learning
  Jake Brindley

  Jake began his teaching journey at the age of 17 with a Theatre company, directing Youth Theatre shows in Nottinghamshire. After qualifying as a Drama Teacher, he taught English and Drama at a school for children with Autism. Jake then transitioned into Alternative Provision, where he held various roles, including Teacher, Head of Key Stage 4, Assistant Principal, and Executive Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning.

  In 2021, Jake Joined Aspire at our Shortenills site as the Teaching, Learning and Curriculum lead, later becoming the Head of School. He now works across Shortenills, Shortenills Abbey and KS2 Finding My Voice as the Head of SEMH, whilst working Trust-wide on Curriculum. Jake strongly advocates that everyone, regardless of background, is entitled to a high-class education and should be given the opportunity to change their story.

  Jake believes that people never stop learning and can often be found reading a book or listening to a podcast. Jake is currently working towards his NPQH with Best Practice.

• Polly Kempson
  Head of Early Intervention & AMP, Director of Safeguarding
  Polly Kempson

  Polly started her teaching career as a Modern Foreign Languages teacher working across schools within the mainstream sector. In 2016 she moved into the special education sector becoming Deputy Headteacher of an outstanding specialist provision for children and young people with neurodisabilies, completing her NPQSL in 2020 and chairing the Pdnet Home Counties Group between 2017 and 2022.

  In 2022, Polly joined Aspire as Head of Aspire Medical Services and has since worked across the trust in the capacity of Head of SEMH and now as Head of Early Intervention and AMP. She is also the Safeguarding Lead at Aspire. She successfully completed her NPQH in December 2024.

  Polly believes that all young people should have the opportunity to explore their creativity and build agency to write their own story. Outside work, Polly is an active member of the Bucks Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, working to ensure that these traditional skills are kept alive and thrive.

Heads of School (ID 1253)

• Jessica Robinson
  Head of School - Blueprint
  Jessica Robinson

  With over 15 years experience in education, through both primary and secondary school settings, Jessica is well equipped to lead our Aylesbury site. As a qualified SENCO, she has been privileged to champion inclusivity and support for students with diverse needs. Jessica's passion lies in crafting a holistic educational experience that goes beyond textbooks - nurturing skills and values essential for life beyond the classroom.

• Corie Stephenson
  Head of School - CSEC
  Corie Stephenson

  As the Head of School, Corie brings a wealth of experience in senior leadership teams having worked in three diverse comprehensive schools in London. His focus has been on creating meaningful and lasting change in the lives of under-served and vulnerable students. Corie holds an MA in Education Management and a BSc in Education and Social Policy. In his previous roles, he has implemented a culture of learning within academic communities by introducing systems and processes that address and eliminate barriers to education. Additionally, he has played a key role in curriculum planning and evaluation. Corie is dedicated to leading and supporting staff, building effective teams and creating an environment where both students and staff can thrive, aspire, and achieve at CSEC.

• Anna Newbold
  Head of School - Orchard House
  Anna Newbold

  Anna began her teaching career in 2008 with Teach First after volunteering in Ethiopia, where she discovered the power of education. She started as an English teacher in Ealing, quickly advancing to deputy head of English and Head of Learning, focusing on pastoral care. In 2013, she transitioned to Medical Alternative Provision in Barnet, establishing a teaching base for secondary students with mental health challenges. Promoted to Assistant Head and Head of School, she led Teaching and Learning across an academy trust. After relocating to Buckinghamshire in 2022, she joined Orchard House as an English teacher, and by September 2024, became Head of School alongside Rebecca Brooks. Together, they nurture and support students to re-engage with education, enhancing their well-being and self-esteem.

• Rebecca Brooks
  Head of School - Orchard House
  Rebecca Brooks

  Rebecca’s education journey started 29 years ago at Amersham College, teaching BTEC and A-Level Media and Communication Studies. After moving to Harrow College in 2001 and Tring Secondary School in 2008, she took a break in 2015 to work with CWP, supporting teachers in drug and sex education. In 2018, Rebecca joined Aspire, teaching PSHE and becoming PSHE Department Head and Mental Health Lead at Blueprint. By 2022, she moved to Aspire’s Medical Provision as Teaching and Learning Lead, developing PSHE programs. In January 2024, Rebecca became the Interim Head of School at Orchard House followed by a joint appointment as Head of School with Anna Newbold from September 2024. Together, they passionately support their students and strive to provide exceptional, personalized education at Orchard House.

• Tammy Nichols
  Head of School - The Wycombe Grange
  Tammy Nichols

  Tammy has worked for Aspire for over 12 years, spending most of that time as Head of School at The Wycombe Grange. She leads with a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), drawing from both her personal and professional experiences. A dedicated leader with a deep passion for creating supportive and inclusive learning environments. Tammy has spent those years to empower students who may not thrive in traditional educational settings. With a strong commitment to fostering resilience, confidence, and independence, Tammy is dedicated to ensuring that every student has the tools, resources, and guidance they need to succeed both in and beyond the classroom. Her own journey has shaped her passion for supporting students who face adversity, ensuring that every individual, regardless of background, has the tools to succeed.

  With a Post Graduate Degree in Careers Education and Guidance, Tammy has spent some time as Strategic Lead for Aspire, setting up a Careers Education Programme across the Trust to meet the needs of our diverse students which will empower them to go on achieve their full potential.

• Liz Wolfenden
  Head of School - Shortenills
  Liz Wolfenden

  Liz has almost 20 years of experience in teaching and senior leadership acrosstwo mainstream secondary schools. She has been a qualified SENDCO since 2016 and is passionate that all students have the right to an education that allows them to feel successful. She joined Aspire as a class teacher and SENDCO in January 2023, and from January 2024 takes up the position of Head of School, to continue in her endeavours to provide the students at Shortenills with excellent child-centred education.

• Jo Hodge
  Head of School - Shortenills Abbey
  Jo Hodge

  Jo joined Aspire in September 2022 at Shortenills in Chalfont St Giles. With 24 years of experience in mainstream schools, she has recently focused more on the pastoral side of education as a Head of Year. Jo finds it a privilege to work with such amazing young people in a small, relationship-driven environment. She supported the first cohort on the FMV curriculum for a term and now continues her Aspire journey as Head of School for the newly opened Shortenills Abbey which opened in April 2024. Jo is excited to see this provision grow and watch the pupils flourish.

Deputy Head of Schools (ID 1254)

• Sarah Hassell
  Deputy Head of School & SENDCo - Blueprint
  Sarah Hassell

  Sarah has been in mainstream education for 20 years and has extensive knowledge and understanding of supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities. She has been a qualified SENDCO since 2009 in two mainstream secondary schools across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Sarah is passionate about relational practice and removing barriers that help empower young people to achieve success.

• Hannah Eley
  Deputy Head of School & SENDCo - CSEC
  Hannah Eley

  Hannah moved to CSEC in early 2023 having previously held the role of Head of Maths for Aspire and had been based at Blueprint in Aylesbury for five years. Before this she has worked in special education and mainstream schools for over ten years.

• Mark Collins
  Deputy Head of School & Senior Leader responsible for SEND - The Wycombe Grange
  Mark Collins

  As the Deputy Head of School and Senior Leader responsible for SEND, Mark brings extensive experience in education and a deep commitment to supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities. With a Science teaching background of almost 20 years, he is committed to raising pupil outcomes and driving school improvement.Working closely with the Head of School, Mark is eager to drive strategic initiatives, enhance the overall educational experience, and promote a positive school culture.He is passionate about fostering a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment that enables every student to thrive.

• Natalie Griffiths
  Deputy Head of School & SENDCo - Shortenills
  Natalie Griffiths

  Natalie is a Science Teacher, and has extensive experience, having led Teaching and Learning at Aspire before becoming the Deputy Head of School and SENDCo at our Blueprint site. Following several years in Aylesbury, Natalie will nowbring her depth of knowledge to our students at Shortenills.

• Joanna Hardyman
  Primary Provision Lead - Forest School
  Joanna Hardyman

  Joanna started her career teaching in primary schools across Hertfordshire and enjoyed the role of class teacher, forging links with pupils and families throughout the school. In recent years, she has become increasingly interested in developing a more therapeutic approach towards behaviours in primary schools and was responsible for supporting pupils with SEMH needs in mainstream schools. Moving to Shortenills has really cemented her understanding of this approach and its many benefits. It has reinvigorated her professionally and she couldn't be happier working in the woods!