Matt Hughes – Headteacher
Matt is a passionate and experienced Headteacher with a track record of opening and leading specialist schools that change lives. With over a decade of leadership experience across primary, secondary, and specialist settings, he is committed to creating schools where students feel safe, seen, and successful—regardless of their starting point.
Before joining Oak Tree School, Matt led the launch and development of two new SEMH/SEND schools in the South West, building inclusive cultures, high-performing teams, and trauma-informed curriculums from the ground up. He brings a deep understanding of neurodiversity and a relentless belief that education should remove barriers, not reinforce them.
Matt’s leadership is grounded in values of trust, transparency, and belonging. He works closely with staff, families, and external partners to make sure every young person has the support they need to thrive—not just academically, but socially, emotionally, and in preparation for adulthood.
Now at Oak Tree, Matt is focused on growing a school community where every student can find their voice, every staff member can lead, and every family feels part of the journey. He believes in getting the basics right, leading culture through people, and holding high expectations rooted in compassion.
Laura Horne – Executive Headteacher
As the Executive Headteacher, Laura oversees both Oak Tree School and Redmoor in Lanivet. Working in a variety of education settings since 2006, Laura started with her BA in Primary Education in Birmingham where she taught at an inner-city primary school for three years. Following her move to Cornwall in 2008, Laura continued her education journey working as a Key Skills Lecturer at Truro College before moving to the Alternative Provision Academies (APA) in Cornwall as the Acting Teacher in Charge at the New Horizons Nurture Group for a year and a half.
Laura then completed her Master’s in Education and her NPQH whilst working at Oak Tree School, where she was Deputy Head for 6 years. Laura’s vast experience sees her very well placed to lead the teams at Oak Tree School and Redmoor School
Laura is wholly committed to ensuring that every student that enters Oak Tree School experiences the opportunities and success they deserve, in both their educational achievements and their social and emotional development.
Nancy Richards – Designated Safeguarding Lead
My name is Nancy Richards, and I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Oak Tree School.
I have worked within mainstream school previously as a Pastoral Manager and Reflection Manager. When I am not working, I enjoy sea swimming, walking my dogs, spending time with my children and knitting.
Michael Abbott – Deputy Headteacher – Quality of Education
Mike qualified as a teacher in July 2015 after completing his training at St Helens College, where he worked in the Sport & Health and Social Care Department. In January 2016, Mike moved to Cornwall with his family and started working at Oak Tree School as a teaching assistant. Shortly after, he became a teacher at the school and later took on the role of head of the maths faculty.
In 2021, Mike left Oak Tree School to work at the newly opened OFG School Red Moor, located in Lanlivery, Bodmin, where he served as the assistant head in charge of the Quality of Education. In September 2024, Mike returned to Oak Tree School as the Deputy Head, overseeing Quality of Education.
Along with the rest of the team at the school, Mike strives to provide the best education for every child, ensuring they can be successful when they leave. He firmly believes in identifying children’s aims and ambitions and using this information to shape their futures, both during their time at the school and beyond.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, usually in the great outdoors.
Becky Turner– Assistant Headteacher
Becky has an English and Classics degree and gained her PGCE in English in 1999. At the beginning of her career Becky worked in inner city mainstream Secondary schools in Birmingham and Bristol. Becky has always been passionate about supporting young people to achieve their very best, and has been lucky enough to have led Learning and Teaching and the curriculum as an Assistant Headteacher and then the Pastoral Team and SEND Team as a Vice Principal.
Becky moved to Cornwall in 2015 and began working as a SENDCo in an Alternative Provision, providing support to vulnerable students and families. Becky has always been a great champion of children. Above all she’s a passionate believer in the great and precious power we have as teachers, to improve the life chances of our students and do good as we go.
In her spare time Becky likes travelling the globe and experiencing new countries, cultures and traditions!
Barry Lea-Clark– Assistant Headteacher
Barry has been with Oak Tree School since 2022, initially as a Tutor and Teacher, to then head of faculty and now as an assistant headteacher overseeing the day to day running of Oregon building.
Barry has completed his Master’s in Education in addition to his PGCE and BSc in Sports performance and coaching, and is continuing his professional development through the national professional qualification framework.
Barry has a deep-rooted belief in the power of education, both academically and socio-emotionally and is dedicated to the pursuit of successful outcomes for every student at Oak Tree School.
Ben Davey – Assistant Headteacher
