Shauna Thornton
Acting Headteacher
“I am a trained primary school teacher and quickly found passion in teaching in an SEN setting which is what brought me to North Ridge. I have been here at North Ridge throughout my teaching career and have developed specific knowledge and skills in supporting pupils with additional needs over the last 6 years. I am the Key Stage Three Assistant Head Teacher and an enthusiastic Mathematics lead. These roles enable me to offer support in my specialist areas: mathematics, differentiation and providing a small step curriculum for pupils with additional needs. I am also trained in ELKLAN strategies in learning environments to support pupils’ communication, independence and understanding of their immediate environment and therefore can also offer support in this area.”
Elaine Redpath
Head of 6th Form. Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)
“I have worked at North Ridge High School as an assistant head leading in key stage 5 since 2010. I am the school lead for careers and work related learning and have experience of developing work experience projects from their beginning and sustaining some of them for many years. I am responsible for transition and have a wealth of knowledge about destination options for all level of SEND learners both at the end of key stage 4 and 5. My favourite subject to teach is “cook it” and can offer advice on differentiation for learners in a practical lesson.”
Chloe Flanagan
Head of ASD and Lead teacher for PHSCE inc RSE and LAC
“I initially trained as a teacher in Secondary Mainstream school, specialising in Music, however I soon developed a keen interest in working with SEND pupils. I have worked within special needs education for 10 years, working at North Ridge High School for 8 years. I teach within the ASD and Complex Needs department. I have a high level of experience in development of communication and behaviour and have received full PECS training. I also Co-ordinate PHSCE and RSE at North Ridge High School as well as being the lead teacher for looked after children”.
Ross Smith
Lead TA for Behaviour
“I am the Lead Teaching Assistant Behaviour here at North Ridge High School and I have over 10 years’ experience working with a wide range of pupils supporting them with their behavioural needs. I have been a Team Teach tutor for over 5 years and in this period and have used this knowledge to help support pupils develop self-management techniques and staff improve their de-escalation and crisis management skills . At school I provide lots of support to staff in writing and developing individual behaviour plans for pupils and also in analysing incidents that occur so that our responses are the best they can be to respond to pupils needs.”
We can also offer support in the following areas:
-Adapting practical lessons for SEN learners
-Team Teach
-Sign Supported English
-AAC
-Moving and Handling
-Skills for life