Meet the team
James Ellis
Headteacher
James has worked in Specialist education since 2009, teaching pupils with wide ranging needs from Key Stage 1 in Primary through to GCSE.
Prior to joining Foxfields, James was Headteacher for 5 years at Ambergate Sports College in Grantham, an Outstanding specialist school for pupils with moderate learning needs and social, emotional, and mental health needs.
James is a designated Local Leader of Education and as part of this role he supports both mainstream and specialist schools in developing their provision to ensure the best outcomes for all.
Julie Forman
Assistant Head
Julie has worked in specialist education since 2000 and been a Senior Leader since 2011 working in schools in the UK and Africa.
Julie is a Science Teacher and has taught pupils with a wide range of needs from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 5.
She is very much looking forward to joining the team at Foxfields and will be working closely with staff, parents and carers to ensure positive outcomes for all of pupils.
Lizzie Papworth
Designated Safeguarding Lead and Teacher
Lizzie has worked across two special educational needs schools within CIT for the past six years. Her time and experience has developed a passion in supporting the overall development of pupils as individuals. Lizzie believes in empowering, and equipping pupils with the skills and strategies, for their social and emotional development alongside their academic progress, to reach their full potential.
Claire Woodlock
School Operations Manager
Claire is a DfE accredited School Resource Management Advisor (SRMA). She supports schools across the region as well as being Operations Manager for 4 schools within CIT. Claire supports schools with operational and financial procedures and systems, to ensure efficiency and value for money. Claire supports Senior Leaders and Headteachers so they can concentrate on providing the best education for their pupils.
Scott Hamilton
Behaviour Support Manager
Scott has spent the last 7 years working in secondary education with previous roles that include Students Support Manager and most recently Head of Year. Scott strives to make a positive difference to the lives of young people and support them to reach their full potential. Scott is extremely excited to be a part of the Foxfields family!
Bethany Simpson
Teacher
After graduating from University in 2017, Bethany spent time working within a specialist provision supporting children with SEMH needs and Autism but also has experience within mainstream primary schools. Bethany truly believes in viewing every child as an individual and is looking forward to being able to provide opportunities for every child to reach their full potential.
Shannon Cave
Teacher
Shannon has been a teacher since 2016, working in various types of school. She has experience of working with different needs across Key Stage 1 and 2. She is excited to be part of Foxfields and supporting the pupils to be their best selves.
Toby Ellis
Teacher
Toby graduated from the university of Lincoln in 2011 with a Sports Science degree, he then opened a sports coaching company with one of our other teachers – Mathew Page. Toby then went on to work at Ambergate Sports College as a teacher before taking a job as an analyst in professional football. Toby worked for both Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town. Toby has a passion for teaching and missed it whilst working in football.
Matthew Page
Teacher
After graduating from university in 2011, Matthew opened a sports coaching company in Lincolnshire, teaching PE in a number of schools. Matthew then moved to Ambergate Sports College as a teacher, teaching different subjects and GCSE Maths before taking a job as an analyst in professional football, working for Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town. Matthew is looking forward to working at Foxfields and is passionate about ensuring pupils love coming to school and enjoy every day!
Tayla Glover-Wagstaff
Teaching Assistant
Before joining Foxfields, Tayla worked within EYFS for 6 years since leaving college. She then decided to become a teaching assistant and has discovered that she enjoys working with older children.
Georgina Quinn
Teaching Assistant
Georgina has worked as a Teaching Assistant for over eight years from Year Three to Year Six at Primary level then Years Seven to Eleven in Secondary. Georgina joined Foxfields in September and says she is really enjoying every day. She looks forward to helping our young people get the most out of their time at Foxfields.
Christopher
Derwael-Thomsin
Teaching Assistant
Chris has just made a career move into education as a teaching assistant and is also currently studying to become a teacher. He’s a native French speaker with a strong background in business/retail management.
Annette Bloxham
Teaching Assistant
Annette has worked with with children and adults with special needs for over 20 years and has been a learning support assistant for the last two years. She joined the Foxfields team in September 2020.
Sarah Aspley
Teaching Assistant
Sarah joined the team after having a career change from a Beauty Therapist. With a strong interest in working with young people and mental wellbeing, she is looking forward to supporting and inspiring both students and colleagues. Previously Sarah has worked with young people via the NCS Youth Development Programme helping to support and nurture young people.
Sarah is really looking forward to the journey ahead and becoming an integral part of the school team.
Tia Shaw
Teaching Assistant
Tia has worked with children and young people (early years to late teens) for around 15 years and in specialist education for 8 years. She is very exited to start her journey with Foxfields.
Amber Clarke-Smith
Apprentice Teaching Ast.
After finishing her GCSES Amber studied health and social care and attended work experience at Birkett House School. She then decided her passion was to work with vulnerable children. In the future she hopes to progress into becoming a teacher. She is looking forward to working with the students and staff at Foxfields academy.
Laura Millican
Cook
Laura started her catering career in Newcastle Upon Tyne 32 years ago where she trained to be a chef.
She has worked in schools most of her career as it is ‘where she is happiest’. She joined foxfields in September 2020 and is looking forward to the journey ahead.
Mark Deary
Site Manager
Mark has many years experience in the role of Health and Safety lead, primarily In the manufacturing sector.
Working within education is a change of direction and offers a new challenge that he is very much looking forward to, along with the opportunity to utilise and develop his knowledge and skills within the Foxfields team ensuring a safe and inspiring learning environment for all.
Andrew Dowling
Outdoor Education Lead
Andrew has worked in education for 12 years after a career in commerce. He loves everything about the outdoors and feels very fortunate to be able to teach outdoor learning everyday.
Joanne Quimby
Senior Administrator
Throughout her career, Joanne has held a number of administration and secretarial roles in a wide variety of organisations; most recently as School Administrator in a leading independent school.
Joanne is looking forward to supporting the new team at Foxfields and seeing the pupils and the school develop over the coming months.
