Colour Mode

×

Below is a brief description of the leaders at Baston House School and a chance for you to get to know them a little bit better.

As always, the school’s doors are open and we welcome parental visits at any point, we only ask that you book an appointment in advance with the school office.

Click here to view our Staff Structure Document.

Lorna Davies-Bailey – Regional Director

 

Ben Price – Headteacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

I have been a teacher for 30 years and have worked in both mainstream and special schools.  My journey began as a PE teacher in Northumberland, in a mainstream High School and I spent over a decade teaching in London schools before taking the step into senior leadership in 2008 and into SEN in 2013.  I have been a successful Headteacher with Outcomes First Group since 2019, and I am passionate about special education and the power of a good school to change lives.  I am a compassionate leader who sets high expectations and genuinely wants the best outcomes possible for all of our young people.

I have three grown up children and outside of school I enjoy spending time with family and friends and walking my dog, Fudge.  As a younger man I was a keen swimmer and rugby player.  These days I am more of a sports enthusiast, and I enjoy watching my favourite football team, Brighton and Hove Albion, whenever I can.  I also enjoy travel and a good book.

Alvaro Rios – Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Alvaro has taught in Spain and in the UK for 13 years now. He has experience in education from Primary up to KS5. Alvaro is a qualified teacher with Physical Education as his specialty. Alvaro has worked at Baston House for over 10 years now and he has taught a wide range of subjects including, English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Physical Education and Spanish as a second language from KS2 to KS4. Alvaro has been a Deputy at Baston for over a year after 3 years as Assistant Headteacher.  Alvaro has delivered behaviour management training to staff members at Baston House School for the last 6 years as well as delivering other Autism specific training.  Alvaro has completed his NPQSL to further support pupils, parents and staff in the school.

Willem Stapelberg – Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Safeguarding Lead

I was born and raised in South Africa. After initially qualifying and working as an accountant, I quickly realised that teaching was my passion, so I went back to university and qualified as a teacher. I moved to the UK at the end of 2002 and took up my first teaching position at a big comprehensive school in Wembley, London, teaching Maths, Business Studies and Accountancy. There I was promoted to Head of Department and Enterprise Coordinator.

 

I briefly dappled in teaching in the independent sector before being appointed as Director of Sixth Form at a big Catholic school in Streatham, London. Whilst there I was promoted to Assistant Headteacher and worked for 12 years. During my time there, I managed not only the sixth form, but also SEND, Pupil Premium and GCSE options. I then got married and my wife gave birth to our daughter right at the start of the COVID pandemic. This prompted me to move to the countryside where I was appointed Deputy Headteacher at a state boarding school in Surrey. Following two Ofsted inspections I ensured the school moved from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’.  I then applied and was successfully appointed as Deputy Headteacher here at Baston House. I am extremely excited to join the community here at the school and am eager to fully transition into my new role at the start of January 2025. It is not all work for me. I am an avid reader, who has travelled the world and loves spending time with my wife and daughter exploring new places and enjoying the great outdoors.

 

Carey Jones – Deputy Headteacher, Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Carey is a qualified teacher and SENCo, with over a decade of experience teaching across the primary phases. She has developed a deep understanding of inclusive education and how to support children with a wide and complex range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Carey has a proven track record of raising achievement, enhancing provision, and embedding a whole-school approach to SEND and inclusion.
Holding a BSc (Hons) in Applied Social Sciences and an MSc in Behavioural Science, Carey brings a strong academic foundation to her practice. She skilfully integrates evidence-informed strategies into both classroom teaching and wider school systems, ensuring that support is both effective and sustainable. She works collaboratively with staff, families, and external professionals to ensure that every child receives personalised support tailored to their academic, social, and emotional needs.

Aaron Dunster – Assistant Headteacher

Aaron has over 15 years of experience working in a variety of educational settings many of which have been with children with Special Educational Needs. He has taught students from Early Years to KS5, and his subject specialism is Science. He has a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Biology and undertook at PGCE to achieve Qualified Teacher Status. He has a background in outdoor learning and is a strong advocate of the benefits of outdoor education for students of all ages. Aaron is committed to helping the students of Baston achieve their potential in all aspects of their education. He is currently undertaking the NPQLDT to further support the delivery of high-quality lessons for all students.

 Nick George – Assistant Headteacher

Nick joined Baston House School in January 2023, and shortly after, stepped into the role of Science and Technology Lead, overseeing critical curriculum development for the school across STEM subjects. In September 2024 he took on the role of Assistant Headteacher and Phase Lead for Key Stage 4. In these dual capacities, he currently balances strategic school-wide leadership with the targeted academic and pastoral oversight of students approaching their GCSEs, maintaining a track record of educational excellence.

In his current capacity as the school’s Assessment Lead, he has been instrumental in implementing effective frameworks for SEN learning and assessment. Introducing and developing sophisticated tracking systems and progress models. These strategic initiatives have refined how student data is utilised, ensuring that the school remains at the forefront of contemporary pedagogical practices and academic excellence.

 Sharon Oakes – Assistant Headteacher

After a mid-career change to teaching Key Stages 3-5 with Bromley Schools Collegiate, Sharon has over 15 years’ experience teaching Maths to children and young people with SEN, including 4 years leading a SEN school.
Sharon spent the first half of her working career in industry in Marketing and International Business Development, having studied French and German to Degree level at Durham University.
With a Masters degree and MBA from Newcastle University and Durham University Business School, she has experienced the life-changing rewards that education can offer through travel, living and working abroad.
She believes passionately that all young people deserve the chance to thrive and develop at their own pace, in a caring and respectful environment, which nurtures the confidence and self-esteem that lead to a fulfilled life.
Outside of teaching, Sharon enjoys countryside dog walks with her family and trail-running with the Orpington Road Runners.

 Viera Abou-Auda – Assistant Headteacher

Viera joined Baston House School in 2022 as a Humanities teacher. With experience in mainstream education and a Master degree in History and Philosophy, she is passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing spaces where every student can flourish.
Viera is currently completing the NPQ SENCO qualification, deepening her understanding of special educational needs and whole‑school inclusive practice. She enjoys building supportive relationships with students and is committed to helping them feel confident, understood and encouraged to succeed in their learning and personal development.
Outside of school, Viera enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Emma Clyde – SENCO

Emma discovered her love of teaching while delivering EFL lessons to students of all ages in 1990s Hong Kong. After gaining her PGCE (Social Science/Citizenship) from Goldsmiths College in 2003, she taught a range of social science and humanities subjects in mainstream secondary and led initiatives such as Student Voice and peer mentoring.

Following her experience running a mainstream inclusion unit, Emma transitioned into alternative provision in 2010. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked in a local SEND setting; leading on PSHE, Citizenship, and Personal Development.

Emma is passionate about improving whole-person outcomes and firmly believes that every individual has their own unique pathway to success. She has headed projects on violence reduction and social action, empowering many students with SEND to initiate their own active citizenship investigations. Emma gained her NASENCo qualification from UCL in 2021.

Jacqueline Johnson – Inclusion Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead

Jacqui has worked at Baston House School for over 12 years. During her time at Baston she has worked throughout the school with all age groups gaining invaluable experience. Jacqui has previously been a TA, an HLTA and part of the teaching team. More recently she was Pastoral Coordinator in the school for 3 years, developing the role and then moved on to be Designated Mental Health Lead and DDSL. Jacqui was also a qualified PI Instructor for 4 years delivering behaviour management and physical restraint training to staff.

Jacqui was appointed Inclusion Manager in April 2023. She is currently the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

Rachael Brown – Administration Manager

Rachael has over 15 years work experience in both maintained and private schools. Prior to this Rachael was an Office Manager for a large Surveying Company based in central London with responsibility for 3 regional offices. Rachael currently leads a team of two administrators and is responsible for the Health & Safety at Baston House School.

She currently managers the premises team.

© Outcomes First Group 2026