RACHAEL THOMPSON
Director
Rachael Thompson BSc, PGCE with QTS, PGCert Sensory Integration, MSc Occupational Therapy is Head Teacher at Cairn Education. Rachael has worked at independent specialist colleges for over 10 years in roles including Tutor, Occupational Therapist, Head of Education and Vice Principal. As part of the responsibilities of these roles Rachael has been OFSTED nominee and specialized in supporting colleges to make quick and meaningful progress from a starting point of ‘requires improvement’. Rachael’s current specialist interest is in sensory processing differences.
NATASHA COLAHAN
Learning Coach/Business Manager
Natasha Colahan BSc. Natasha has supported individuals with Autism in education for over 5 years. Natasha worked as a Behaviour Support Assistant in her last job, during which she took a key role in developing and implementing the provisions positive behavioural support approach. Natasha worked with staff and students to identify the student’s individual strengths, needs and abilities. Natasha was responsible for designing and implementing specific support strategies in order for learners to progress and achieve within education.
CHRISTOPHER MOSS
Learning Support Assistant
Chris has worked with individuals with a range of complex needs including autism for a number of years. During this time Chris has developed and implemented interventions to support young people to engage in their community and work opportunities. Chris uses innovative and practical approaches to overcoming barriers to enable young people to participate in meaningful activities.
GILLIAN WINTERS
Science and Mathematics Teacher
Gillian Winters BSc (Hons), PGCE with QTS is the Science and Mathematics teacher at Cairn Education. Gillian has worked as a mainstream secondary education teacher for 12 years specialising in working with nurture groups followed by a further 2 years as a SEN secondary teacher for pupils with Autism at an independent school. Outside school Gillian's interests range from enjoying the Cumbrian countryside with her family and dogs to looking after her bee colonies.
LEONARD SOSNOWSKY
Learning Support Assistant
For many years, Len has worked with young people from varied backgrounds and disadvantages. Len has experienced a wide range of employment opportunities including working within education, social services, merchant navy and hospitality. Len therefore has a broad range of expertise and he is skilled at utilising this to support young people to engage in meaningful occupation.
DAVID LUNN
Teacher of Computing/Media and PE
David Lunn BEd(QTS) is the computing/media teacher at Cairn Education. David has worked in education for the last 2 decades. He has experience in Primary, Secondary and University education settings. Although he originally trained in Computing/ICT, he brings a wealth of knowledge from different ages, subjects, and educational settings. When he’s not teaching, he’s swimming, biking, or tinkering with his motorcycle.
BETH GRIFFITH
Teacher of Bushcraft and Functional Skills English
Beth BA (Hons), PGCE Secondary MFL with QTS is the Bushcraft and Functional Skills English Teacher. After teaching in mainstream secondary education for two years, Beth specialised in working within SEND schools, supporting students with a wide range of complex needs. Beth has extensive experience working alongside autistic young people and is passionate about creating engaging, inclusive learning opportunities. With a strong belief in the value of learning beyond the classroom, Beth is also a qualified Summer Mountain Leader and Forest School Leader, and enjoys bringing outdoor learning experiences into her teaching practice. Outside of work, Beth loves cycling, hiking in the mountains, wild camping and swimming.
GILLIAN HUGHES
Teacher
​Gillian has a BA(Hons) in Education and Curriculum Studies, a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training and a Diploma in Teaching Adult Literacy. She has 25 years of teaching experience in the primary, secondary and college education sectors with a focus on supporting both pupils and adults with special educational needs - particularly in relation to autism. Gillian has previously been a SEND governor in both a primary and a specialist secondary school, taught on both the PGCE in PCET and the Working with Children and Families Foundation Degree programmes, as well as teaching both primary and secondary Teaching Assistants in schools.
BELLA MATAREWICZ
Learning Support Assistant
TBC
HEALTH HORIZONS
Multi-Disciplinary Team
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Cairn Education is proud to work in consultation with Health Horizons, a Multi-Disciplinary Team that includes a Clinical Psychologist, Consultant Paediatrician and Speech and Language Therapist.
For more information about Health Horizons please visit their website: www.healthhorizons.org.uk