Senior Leadership Team
Dave Borrell
Head Teacher
Ivan Rowell
Social, Emotional & Mental Health Lead
I’m Ivan, the SEMH Lead at Park View School. I joined the team in November 2018, and since then I’ve had the privilege of working closely with children, young people, and their families to support emotional wellbeing, positive behaviour, and healthy relationships. When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family or tending to my allotment.
My career has taken a varied and meaningful path. After leaving school, I worked in a range of jobs — from cycle repair and painting and decorating to bakery work — before returning to education to pursue a role supporting young people and families. I began as a volunteer with the Youth Offending Team in Sunderland, working mainly with young dads who were at risk of offending. This experience inspired me to qualify as a Social Worker at Northumbria University.
Since then, I’ve worked across family support, housing support, and community integration, including a secondment to HMP Durham where I helped prepare individuals for release and reduce the risk of reoffending. I have supported families across key areas such as improving school attendance, reducing anti‑social behaviour, promoting positive parenting, and preventing homelessness. During this time, I also completed specialist postgraduate training in social work with children and families, trained as a parenting practitioner, and gained therapeutic training in IAPT.
I am a trained facilitator in a range of parenting programmes, including Triple P, Early Bird/First Steps ASD, Strengthening Families, Solihull Parenting, Parent Factor (ADHD), and Incredible Years. I later managed the Newcastle Family Intervention Programme before moving into children’s mental health as a Care Coordinator within CYPS, supporting parents and young people in understanding neurodiversity, behaviour, and treatment.
At Park View School, I work directly with pupils, parents, and carers to support emotional regulation, positive behaviour management, and mental wellbeing. I have also extended my training to become a registered EMDR facilitator. Having worked with many schools in previous roles, being part of the Park View team has been especially rewarding. I’ve seen the school grow into a nurturing environment where children with SEN and SEMH needs can learn, flourish, and feel understood.
Alyson McClurg
Deputy Head Teacher/SENCO
Laura Wareham
Behaviour and Attendance Lead/Staff Governor
Administration Team
Kayleigh Clark
Senior Admin Officer (Data)
I am the Senior Admin Officer for Data at Park View School, having joined the team in May.
Before coming to PVS, I spent 11 years working in the NHS, gaining extensive experience in administration and service support.
I was ready for a new challenge and the opportunity to develop new skills in a different environment, and I’m really enjoying my new role here at PVS.
My role involves supporting the smooth running of the school by helping to update school policies, maintaining the school website, and assisting with exam officer responsibilities. This work helps ensure that staff have accurate information, up‑to‑date guidance, and the systems they need to support teaching and learning effectively.
I also play a part in supporting students by helping to keep essential information organised, ensuring exam processes run smoothly, and contributing to a well‑managed school environment where they can focus on learning and achieving their best. I’m enjoying getting to know everyone, and always happy to help.
Annemarie Burgess
Office Manager
I am the Office Manager at Park View School. I’ve been part of the team since 2015, and I’m one of the people working behind the scenes to make sure our school runs smoothly every day. From managing budgets to keeping our administrative systems organised, my role helps ensure that staff can focus on teaching and supporting our students.
I take pride in contributing to the calm, safe and well‑structured environment we aim to provide at Park View. Being part of a school community that is so committed to helping young people grow and succeed is something I value deeply.
When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me crocheting my next project or planning my next weekend away.
Dogs on Duty
Digger
School Dog
Arlo
School Dog
Site Management
Phil Wightman
Site Manager
Sophie Lister
Cleaner
Claire Seales
Cook
Lisa Robinson
Cook
Teachers
Helen Beckett
Subject Lead for English
I am the Subject Lead for English at Park View School and have been part of our community for 18 years, working across both our former and current sites. Before joining Park View, I spent 11 years teaching elsewhere, and throughout my career I have always loved helping young people discover the power of reading, writing and communication.
My own love of English began when I was young. I read constantly, loved getting lost in stories, and soon became a keen creative writer. That passion for language inspired me to become a teacher—a job I have enjoyed from my very first day and continue to feel just as enthusiastic about now.
At Park View, my role is to design an English curriculum that excites and supports every student. I want all our young people to develop strong reading, writing and speaking skills so they can become confident, independent learners. This includes ensuring that students following our bespoke curriculum, as well as those in our Vocational Centre studying Entry Level and Functional Skills qualifications, receive a pathway that meets their needs and prepares them well for adulthood.
I am proud to lead a dedicated team of English teachers who share these values. Together, we regularly review our curriculum and monitor the progress of all students to make sure our teaching remains engaging, ambitious and aligned with national expectations.
Most importantly, I am incredibly proud of the progress our students make during their time with us. I hold high aspirations for every learner and will always support them to achieve the qualifications they are capable of in English.
The message I share with students is simple: be brave, be confident, and believe in yourself. At Park View, we are here to help every young person realise their potential and achieve success.
Lyndsay Robinson
Teacher of Art & Design
I have been teaching Art since 2003, beginning my career in mainstream education before specialising in Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision in 2013. I am passionate about making Art accessible, engaging and meaningful for every learner, regardless of their background, ability or previous experience.
I firmly believe that everyone can benefit from the creative process, and that Art offers powerful opportunities for self‑expression, confidence‑building, emotional wellbeing and personal growth.
In my teaching, I aim to create a creative, immersive and contemporary Art curriculum that inspires pupils through both modern artists and traditional influences. A typical Art lesson at Park View School may include painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media and sensory activities, as well as opportunities to explore the wider arts community through gallery visits and regional exhibitions.
Above all, my goal is to foster a lifelong appreciation of Art and Creativity. I want pupils to discover their own artistic voice, feel proud of their achievements, and develop a positive connection with the world around them through the arts.
Elliott Jones
Teacher of D&T, Photography, Cycling/Student Council Lead
Steve Langley
Teacher of Physical Education & Sport/Wanderer's Sports Lead
Michael Perry
Teacher of Science
Jim Burnett
Teacher of IT
Sarah Daniels
Teacher
Rebecca Brown
Teacher
High Level Teacher Assistants
Kim Scott
Therapeutic Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA
Supporting emotional wellbeing, resilience and readiness to learn
As the school’s Therapeutic HLTA, I provide emotional, sensory and therapeutic support to help pupils overcome barriers to learning and reach their full potential. My role focuses on promoting positive mental health, emotional wellbeing, and resilience, ensuring every child feels safe, understood and ready to engage in school life.
How I Support Our Learners - I work closely with pupils who experience social, emotional, behavioural or sensory challenges. Through tailored 1:1 sessions, I help children to:
- Build confidence and self‑esteem
- Develop emotional regulation skills
- Form positive relationships
- Understand and manage anxiety
- Learn strategies to cope with everyday challenges
- Feel safe, supported and ready to learn
Sessions are calm, nurturing and personalised to each child’s needs.
Working With Families - I work in partnership with families and carers to support the whole child. This includes:
- Offering parenting programmes to help manage children’s anxiety
- Providing guidance on emotional and sensory needs
- Sharing strategies that can be used at home
- Supporting families to understand their child’s behaviour and development
This joined‑up approach helps create consistency and security for our learners.
Specialist Training - My therapeutic practice is underpinned by specialist qualifications, including:
- ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)
- SEN Massage Therapist
- Sensory Needs Practitioner
- Fear‑Less Triple P Practitioner
These allow me to support a wide range of needs, from anxiety and emotional regulation to sensory processing and relationship building.
Our Aim
Through therapeutic support, I help pupils to:
- Feel valued and understood
- Build resilience and independence
- Develop healthy coping strategies
- Re‑engage positively with learning
- Thrive both in school and beyond
Every child deserves to feel safe, supported and capable — and my role is to help make that happen.
Lisa Thompson
Catering and PSHE Teacher
I am the Catering and PSHE Teacher at Park View School, where I have the privilege of supporting students in developing both practical life skills and personal growth. Throughout my time at PVS, I have worked closely with a diverse range of young people, helping them build confidence, independence, and resilience through engaging, hands‑on learning experiences.
In Catering, I encourage students to develop essential skills in cooking, food hygiene, organisation, and teamwork. Through practical lessons, students learn to take pride in their achievements and gain valuable knowledge that supports them both in school and beyond.
In PSHE, I guide students through important topics such as health and wellbeing, relationships, personal safety, and preparation for adulthood. My aim is to create a supportive environment where students feel confident exploring ideas, asking questions, and developing the skills they need to navigate life with independence and self‑belief.
Working at Park View School is incredibly rewarding, and I am proud to be part of a dedicated team that places each student’s individual needs, achievements, and aspirations at the heart of everything we do.
Elliot Smith
High Level Teacher Assistant
Abigail Robertson-Cocks
High Level Teacher Assistant
Gornall Bell
High Level Teacher Assistant
Michelle Dalby
High Level Teacher Assistant
Teaching Assistants
Caitlin Page
Teaching Assistant
Gemma Reay
Teaching Assistant
Harry Fisher
Teaching Assistant
Kimberley Watson
Teaching Assistant
Wahaab Ahmed
Teaching Assistant
Tomas Dulson
Teaching Assistant
Ryan Sinclair
Teaching Assistant
Oliver Green
Teaching Assistant
Kirsten Weedy
Teaching Assistant
Ryan Hardie
Teaching Assistant
Olivia Wilson
Teaching Assistant
Vocational Centre
Kyleigh Reay
Vocational Careers Co-ordinator
Jeffrey Smith
Vocational Centre Programme Leader
Chris Storey
High Level Teacher Assistant - Vocational Centre
Keith Greener
Tutor - Vocational Centre
Richard Elsy
Tutor - Vocational Centre
Cathy Boyd
Casual Teacher
I teach English Functional Skills at the Vocational Centre, where I support students in building the confidence and practical skills they need for their next steps. It’s incredibly rewarding to help our learners achieve, especially as many have not had positive experiences in mainstream education. Seeing them grow, succeed, and move on to brighter futures is one of the best parts of my role.
My background includes social work, mainstream and special school teaching, and one-to-one tutoring. This experience helps me understand the individual needs of our students and provide a supportive, encouraging environment where they can thrive. I aim to make learning accessible, relevant, and engaging, helping students develop essential communication skills they can use in everyday life, further education, and employment.
