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Meet the team

With over 60 years combined SEN teaching experience, Meet our Coggeshall Road Therapeutic Provision Team….

Lisa-Jane

Director / Head of Centre Examinations

lisajanecolyer@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Lisa is the Founder, Director and unofficial “Mum” of Coggeshall Road Therapeutic Provision. Not only does she run the show—handling the business side of things with a perfect blend of professionalism and passion—but she also takes it upon herself to make sure everyone, staff and students alike, is fed, watered, and looked after. If there’s a snack shortage or someone needs a listening ear, Lisa is already on it.

Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role, supporting both staff and students with insightful, compassionate advice when it’s needed most. She champions a relational approach to care, prioritising the building of trust and meaningful connections with young people, and is always ready to roll up her sleeves and get stuck in.
Lisa’s approach is as down-to-earth as it is inspiring, and her knack for blending warmth and humour keeps the whole provision running smoothly—even when things get a bit chaotic. Outside of work, she’s a devoted mum, avid Lego builder, and is absolutely bonkers about sausage dogs!

Jonny

Head of Safeguarding & Compliance / DSL / Maths

jonnyweavers@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Jonny is Head of Safeguarding & Compliance, and has played an important part of our Coggeshall Road project since the offset, helping the provision to grow and succeed. He has worked with young people with SEN for over 20 years within the care system and as a Maths Lead in an independent school prior to Coggeshall Road. Jonny has a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching and Education and has helped 100’s of young people to achieve their potential in Maths with his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject. Jonny is a dad of two boys and is a big sports fan. Enjoying team sports like football and cricket during his social time.

Annie

Head of Provision / SENCO / Art

anniegourlay@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Annie is our Head of Provision at Coggeshall Road as well as SENCo and Art Teacher. With a PGCE in SEN and Inclusion, a Degree in Dance and Drama, and a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching, Annie blends her academic knowledge with a flair for the arts, making her approach to education as dynamic as it is inclusive.

As SENCo, Annie promotes an affirmative model to SEN and is committed to understanding the unique needs of every young person, designing tailored strategies to support their growth and well-being.
In the art room, Annie uses art as both a therapeutic tool and a means of empowerment, encouraging young people to express themselves, build confidence, and explore their individuality. Whether its art just for fun or working towards a GCSE, Annie’s enthusiasm and passion for the subject never wains.

Outside of work, when she is not doing something ‘Arty’, Annie goes running to try to stay fit and keep up with the delightful chaos of life with her three teenage boys.

Kirsty

Manager / Executive Assistant to the Director and Head of Centre

Kirstyhemsley@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Kirsty is the Executive Assistant to the Director and Head of Centre at Coggeshall Road Therapeutic Provision. She brings her bubbly personality, enthusiasm and positive attitude to everything she does. Kirsty enjoys building positive relationships with the young people and helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment where they can feel comfortable and confident.

Outside of Coggeshall Road, Kirsty is a mum of two who loves spending time with her family and friends, who are incredibly important to her. She loves travelling, going on holiday and exploring new places. Over time, Kirsty has also developed a love of football, thanks to both of her children playing. When she’s not busy with family life, you’ll often find her enjoying her love of LEGO building.

Louise

Wellbeing Mentor / Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

louisebeards@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Louise joined the team as a mentor in March 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge in SEN settings. She holds a Level 5 Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools and is deeply passionate about supporting our young people. Louise has recently moved into the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Her patience and kindness are evident in her teaching, and she excels at adapting her approach to meet individual needs.

As a mum of two, Louise enjoys spending time outdoors and is always eager to learn and develop new skills.

Julie

Health & Safety Officer / Trainee Team Mentor

juliesmith@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Julie is a vibrant and dedicated member of our team as an Trainee Team Mentor. Julie has a bubbly personality and she brings warmth and energy to the classroom. Outside of school, she channels her passion into running her own dance school, inspiring others with her love of movement and creativity. A proud mum to one lively son.

Julie’s infectious laugh and positive spirit make her a cherished member of the team.

Carly

Team Mentor / Examinations Officer

carlyamos@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Carly is a Team Mentor, supporting Claire with English, and also serves as our Examinations Officer. With a wealth of experience, she provides valuable support to both staff and students, helping them navigate their academic journeys and achieve their full potential.

A dedicated mum to one daughter, Carly brings a calm, compassionate approach to her work. She is excited to be part of the alternative education provision at Coggeshall Road, where she’ll be supporting SEN children in an environment that fosters growth and success.

Abby

Wellbeing Mentor

abby@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Abby is a valued member of our wellbeing team at Coggeshall Road Therapeutic Provision Limited. With a strong background in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play, Abby brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to her role. Her calm and creative personality helps to create a supportive environment for our pupils, where everyone feels heard and valued.

Outside of work, Abby enjoys arts and crafts and spending time in nature. She often draws on these interests in her professional practice, using them to inspire engagement and promote wellbeing. Abby is dedicated to fostering a positive, nurturing atmosphere that supports both emotional and educational growth.

Claire

Teacher English / Art

clairehopkins@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Claire is a creative and dedicated Art and English specialist with over ten years of teaching experience. She has worked in a variety of settings, including mainstream schools and Pupil Referral Units, and loves finding imaginative ways to engage pupils in their learning.

With a degree in Fine Art and Qualified Teacher Status in Secondary Art and Design, Claire enjoys using her artistic skills to bring creativity into all areas of the curriculum, especially English. She believes that understanding each pupil’s individual needs is key to helping them thrive, and she uses therapeutic principles throughout her teaching to create a supportive and nurturing environment.

Outside the classroom, Claire enjoys playing a range of instruments, dancing, and cooking – all of which inspire her creative approach to teaching and learning.

Elias

Teacher Science

eliasmark@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Elias is responsible for teaching Science across our provision. He brings a wealth of experience working with students with Special Educational Needs and is passionate about making science accessible and engaging for all learners. Elias has delivered Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at GCSE level and enjoys inspiring curiosity and confidence in his students through practical, hands-on learning.

Martha

Teacher Music

marthataylor@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Martha is our Music Teacher, bringing her passion for music and creativity to inspire our students. She has extensive experience supporting young people with special educational needs and is passionate about using music to encourage creativity, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. Through her inclusive and engaging approach, Martha helps students explore different musical styles and develop their own sense of rhythm and expression in a supportive environment.

Julie H

Learning Support Assistant

juliehaylock@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Julie is a dedicated and good-humoured member of our team who brings warmth and enthusiasm to her role. A proud mum to two teenagers – a boy and a girl – Julie balances her professional responsibilities with the joys and challenges of family life.

Before joining us, Julie gained valuable experience working in primary school settings, where she developed a strong understanding of children’s needs and how to support their development. She also volunteered at a children’s centre, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive difference in young people’s lives.

Outside of work, Julie enjoys baking – a passion that often brings delicious treats to share with colleagues and adds to the welcoming atmosphere she creates wherever she goes.

Laura

Administrator / Attendance Officer

lauraheard@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Laura keeps everything running smoothly in our busy office; She is responsible for monitoring and managing student attendance, helping to ensure accurate records and effective communication with families.

Laura studied Visual Studies at Norwich School of Art and Design and loves being and encouraging others to be creative. Laura has worked in several SEN settings since graduating in 2007.

An avid knitter and crocheter, Laura usually has a project on the go. Laura loves cats and has two, very cheeky cats that keep her on her toes!

Annamaria

Therapist

Anna has over 25 year’s experience working with children and young people in various roles and settings. Starting in nurseries, then 10 years in residential care homes and therapeutic communities, onto Suffolk County Council as a family support practitioner and for the past 11 years as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist.

Over that time she has seen a huge number of presenting issues including, childhood trauma, abuse, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, attachment difficulties, school refusal, gender and LGBTQ, autism and ADHD, SEN, drug and alcohol misuse and many more.

Qualified to Masters level, she works psycho-dynamically to help young people become more emotionally aware and build confidence. She uses care, trust, humour and containment to build relationship and nurture resilience. With an emphasis on realistic goals and expectations of themselves, she has helped hundreds of young people feel happy and healthy enough to go onto have fulfilling futures and thrive into adulthood.

Personally, Anna loves to be creative and is a keen potter and artist. She loves entertaining and cooking for her friends and family as well as travelling around the country in her motorhome with her husband, son and 3 big boisterous boxer dogs!

Trevor

Outdoor Learning / Forest School Leader

trevorwright@coggeshallroad.co.uk

Trevor is a level 3 qualified forest school teacher and has been delivering outdoor learning for 8 years. Trev is passionate about the benefits of getting children into natural environments to learn about nature, to help improve their mental and physical health, help them grow in confidence, resilience and build a deeper connection with nature.

Trevor’s enthusiasm for teaching outdoors is apparent and in his spare time loves to be out hiking, wild camping, kayaking and just being out in nature.

Louisa

Learning Support Assistant

louisacalado@coggeshallroad.co.uk

We’re delighted to welcome Louisa to Coggeshall Road! Louisa has joined us from the social care sector and will be overseeing our cooking programmes, bringing her passion, creativity and enthusiasm to the role.

Louisa is a proud mum to two boys and, when she’s not busy with family life, she enjoys getting creative by designing and making bespoke Jellycat bunnies. In fact, Louisa has already created something very special for us — our very own Coggeshall Road “Forget Me Not” bunny! 💙

We’re excited to have Louisa as part of our team and can’t wait to see the wonderful things she brings to our cooking programmes.