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 11 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 7 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 delivered behaviour management training to staff members at Baston House School for the last 3 years as well as delivering SPELL, Autism specific training. Alvaro has completed his NPQSL to further support pupils, parents and staff in the school.
Yvonne Gabriel – Deputy Headteacher
Yvonne has over 20 years’ experience teaching in both mainstream and specialist autism provisions, across both primary and secondary phases. She has held a senior leadership role for 15 years leading in a range of areas including curriculum and personal development and welfare, she was the Designated Safeguarding Lead for many years. Yvonne holds a Master of Education in Autism and is passionate about enabling and empowering children and young people with ASC and other additional needs to live happy, fulfilling, and successful lives. Yvonne is committed to sustaining inclusive, positive and supportive school cultures where all are seen as valuable contributors to the school community.
Richard Gillings – Deputy Headteacher
Richard has been working in education since 2005 initially as a teaching assistant having gained qualified teacher status in 2010. Since becoming a teacher Ricard has worked in a range of different educational settings including mainstream primary, PMLD, SEMH and alternative provision. Since 2014 Richard has worked at Drumbeat school & ASC service, a specialist provision for pupils with autism both as a teacher, key stage leader and as an Assistant Headteacher since 2017. Richard is passionate about developing strong working relationships with his pupils and their families. Richard is a trained Mental Health First Aider and has led on school community work in order to raise awareness of autism in the local community.
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.
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.
Charlotte Spence – SENCo
Charlotte has taught at Baston House School for nearly 5 years. She began as a 1:1 Teaching assistant; with further training and experience became a qualified Teacher, before developing and establishing her current role of Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo). Charlotte is dedicated to supporting students with their special educational needs in order to achieve as best they can and strengthening the delivery of increasingly high-quality specialist teaching. Charlotte has a BSc (hons) in Psychology, Qualified Teaching Status and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education – specialised in Primary Education and a National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination.
Mabel – Wellbeing Ambassador
Mabel is a 1-Year-old Schnocker (Mini Schnauzer and Cocker Spaniel) who brings joy and peace to staff and pupils when she attends school. Mabel loves people (especially children), big fuss and cuddles. She does not like being shouted at and staying by herself. She is a very social dog who brings calmness and serenity to all who come into contact with her. Her best skills are making people feel calm and tranquil, especially when they are having a bad day!