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. 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.
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.
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. I have recently become a dad for the first time & 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 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.
Mrs R Harper – Head of Personal Development
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.
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.
Ms J Brownlow: Teaching Assistant
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 and I love the role. 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.
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.
Mr D Burke: Teaching Assistant
I have recently completed my studies as a mature student at The University of Lincoln, achieving a BA (Hons) in Education.
As a new staff member at Acorn I am excited to have the opportunity to put my newly acquired knowledge into practice and to support students in any way that will support their achievement and help them to develop confidence in their own abilities.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife and children, collecting and repairing watches and being outdoors.
I am proud to be a part of the team here at Acorn and look forward to working with prospective new students.
Ms L Robinson: HLTA
I graduated from Lancaster University in 1995 with BA (Hons) in English before completing my PGCE in secondary English at Saint Martin’s College. I went on to teach in Saint Helens before returning to Lincolnshire and taking up a role at Spalding Grammar School teaching KS3, 4 and 5.
Due to ill health, I took early retirement from teaching but have now returned to the classroom as a teaching assistant (via owning a pub for 5 years), a role which I love. Prior to joining Acorn, I worked for South Lincolnshire Academies Trust as a TA specialising in SEND.
I have recently relocated to Lincoln and live with my partner and his twin girls. Outside of work I love to read, cook and spend time trying to entertain my black Labrador, Steve.
Mrs L McCarthy: Teaching Assistant
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.
Site Management
Mr S Taylor