Kate Martin – Headteacher
Kate has been working in schools for the past 19 years and has been on the leadership team in SEN schools since 2018. For the past two years, before joining Oak Tree, Kate has been working as a Headteacher in a specialist SEMH school in Nottinghamshire.
Kate passionately believes in relationship-focused, trauma-informed practice in education and has spoken on this subject at a local and national level. She is also an advocate for the importance of literacy and reading in unlocking doors for all and wants all children to have an equity of opportunity in terms of exposure to cultural experiences.
Outside of School, Kate loves spending time with her family and friends, going away in her camper van, and walking her tearaway terrier, Brewster.
Luke Bolsin – Head of School (Darley) & CPI Trainer
Luke qualified as a Geography teacher in 2005 and worked as a secondary mainstream pastoral head of year for 10 years. In these roles he has dealt with a range of pupils from a variety of backgrounds and with a wide range of needs. Luke qualified as a SENCo in 2016 and has a passion for working with pupils with social and emotional mental health issues and staff training in these areas.
Luke has a firm belief in the positive and therapeutic effects of the great outdoors and their impact as part of a holistic personalised education. Prior to teaching he spent a number of years working in and running water sports centres. He still regularly enjoys being in the beautiful waters around the Cornish coast. He is also a CBT practitioner and a trauma informed schools trainer. He also sits on our therapy team.
Edd Bissenden – Assistant Headteacher & Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Edd qualified as a Primary teacher in 2013 and has worked at different mainstream schools across the county. He joined the Oak Tree team in 2018 as a tutor, first in Polly Joke and as part of the outdoor Ed team then in Perranporth class. Edd is a big believer in providing opportunities and experiences to enrich students’ lives and help them see what the world can offer if you have goals. He believes positive personal development and self-esteem is the key to success. Outside of school Edd is a keen surfer and avid sports fan. Rugby is his main passion and he played for many years at clubs like Moseley in Birmingham and also for the Army Medical Services.
Michelle Pascoe – Head of School & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Michelle has worked at Oak Tree since it opened in 2014. Her role has changed significantly in this time, starting as an HLTA to developing the role of the Parent and Child Support Worker.
Michelle’s role is currently the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Therapy Coordinator. Michelle is the school’s therapist, offering counselling and play therapy. She is one of the key people on the school therapy team. She also has extensive knowledge of external agencies within our locality who can support our children and their families. Michelle line manages our nurture provision as well as our Family Support team.
Michelle has worked with children with social and emotional difficulties for sixteen years after working primarily with primary children she has enjoyed the move to mixed key stages here at Oak Tree School.
Jack Stevenson – Assistant Head – Curriculum and Learning Lead
Jack has many years’ experience of working in schools, initially joining Oak Tree in 2014 and then returning after spending several years as a mainstream teacher. On his return, Jack became head of mathematics at the school. During this period, he oversaw student interventions and was the tutor in Godrevy class before joining the Senior Leadership team. Jack has a flexible and imaginative approach towards the curriculum which positions him ideally to oversee our timetable. He sees no problems, only solutions.
Prior to teaching, Jack served in the Armed Forces and also cared for adults with a variety of mental health conditions. In his spare time, Jack enjoys running and has participated in many races, raising money for a variety of charities. He is also big sports fan and likes to travel around Cornwall in his camper.
Connor Taylor – Assistant Head – Personalised Provisions Lead
Connor is an experienced member of staff who has been working at Oak Tree School since 2015. Connor started as a Teaching Assistant and later trained to become a teacher at Oak Tree. Prior to his career in education, Connor worked as a personal trainer and instructor at a local gym for a number of years before spending time in America working as a sports activities coach. This experience has given him a unique perspective on health and fitness, which Connor brings into his teaching.
In his free time, Connor enjoys boxing and spending time at the gym, which helps him maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Connor’s passion for fitness and education has made him an excellent role model for the Oak Tree students, and he continues to inspire them to pursue their goals both inside and outside the classroom
Jo Goldring- Assistant Head – Leadership & Management Lead
Jo joined our Senior Leadership team at the beginning of 2023 she first started with Outcomes First Group working with the children’s homes as an administration assistant and then joining Oak Tree School in September 2021. She loves being highly organised and ensuring procedures are communicated effectively. Jo has an enthusiastic approach to life and her role with a real passion for being helpful to staff and students ensuring the best possible outcomes.
She works closely with the Student Council and Eco Council, providing a meaningful way in which pupils can voice their opinions and have their views taken into account in decisions which impact upon them and the School.
Outside of Oak Tree, Jo spends a lot of time around the coast either in the sea (during the warmer months) or out walking. She finds it hard to sit still and is always looking for the next challenge in life and work.