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.
Rachel Martin – Headteacher
Rachel began her career, over 20 years ago as a secondary school teacher of English and Drama. She has taught across the age ranges from EYFS through to KS5 and has a strong understanding of student progress and curriculum progression. Rachel has held many senior leadership positions, and was most recently the head teacher of HEAL, an alternative learning provision for pupils with trauma and SEMH. During her time as head of HEAL Rachel expanded the provision and saw many students return to a school setting and achieve positive educational and future outcomes. She has also been responsible for whole school SEND, assessment and progress tracking and monitoring.
Rachel is a qualified SENCo and is passionate about helping children and young people with ASC and other special educational needs achieve their potential.
Alvaro Rios – Deputy Headteacher
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
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.
Kate Spoor – Deputy Headteacher
Kate has worked in various educational settings over the past 25 years and inclusive practice has always been at the heart of each role. Qualifiying from CCCU with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, she has worked as a class teacher in a variety of schools and lead across different phases. She is passionate about ensuring all children are given the appropriate opportunities to thrive and enjoy their time in school, working hard to ensure positive relationships are established – between adults and students. She believes learning should be fun, engaging and appropriate for the pupil and strives to ensure this approach is embedded across year groups. She is always excited to learn of new ways to benefit our children.
Gemma Connolly – Assistant Headteacher
Gemma has worked in SEN schools for over 10 years in a number of roles. She is a qualified teacher and prior to joining Baston House School was a Primary Lead. She has a vast amount of experience working with children who are faced with a variety of social, emotional and mental health challenges. She has set up and run phonics programs and other reading and writing challenges. She has a BA honours degree in Childhood Studies, specialising in Physical Education.
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.
Helen Stack – Assistant Headteacher
Helen has worked at Baston House for 3 years. She has taught Design Technology and Food Technology for over 20 years and has previously been a senior teacher giving her years of pastoral experience as well as curriculum experience in education from KS3 to KS5. Helen also has a master’s degree in education management and has extensive experience in working with and supporting autistic children, young adults and their families.
Lizzie Godden – Neurodiversity Lead
Lizzie has been working with Young People for 15 years in a variety of capacities including; inclusive Youth Theatre and outreach programs, 1:1 Learning Support for children with ASD, facilitating an array of Children’s Therapies and latterly running SEND Exam Concessions for Common Entrance. She has a breadth of knowledge and experience in neurodiversity and found a passion for inclusive education early on in her career. Sewn from a reframing role as an ASD 1:1 she decided to make a difference every day and tailored a BSc (Hons) degree in Childhood and Youth Development, to specialise in Autism, at the Open University. Lizzie also holds a BA (Hons) Open Degree, designed by module to incorporate her passion for creating environments, quality first teaching and clinical services that accommodate all abilities and preferences for learning, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent. Lizzie proudly holds an Enhanced Makaton Signing Award and is a certified Lego Therapist, Youth Mental Health First Aider and an online Provision Map and Visuals Coordinator.
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 an unqualified teacher. 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 the 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.
Carey Jones – SENCO
Carey embarked on the NASENCo qualification last year, Carey has over 10 years experience teaching across the primary phases with extensive knowledge of leading and improving outcomes for children with a wide range of SEND. Carey is a qualified teacher and holds a BSc in Applied Social Sciences (Hons) and a MSc in Behavioural Science. Carey is passionately committed about ensuring all Baston House students thrive and grow in every area of school-life.