Meet the Team
Kyna Adkins
Interim Headteacher
Kyna has worked in education for 23 years, originally working in mainstream secondary settings and then developing into leadership roles with a focus on inclusion, behaviour and safeguarding. Most recently, over the last 7 years, she has worked in a large all needs 3 to 19 special school in Lincoln as the Headteacher.
Daley Barber-Allen
Headteacher – GANF
For over 20 years, Daley has worked in the specialist education sector within schools and a further education college in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland and West Yorkshire. He has worked as a senior leader in specialist education since 2013 and has been the headteacher of two different schools since 2019; an all needs residential specialist school in Northumberland for children and young people aged 3-19 and a large, multi-site specialist academy for autistic children and young people aged 3-19 in Newcastle.
As a specialist school leader, Daley’s values are rooted in the belief that every child and young person can learn and achieve, whatever their abilities or circumstances may be. He is passionate about raising aspirations, changing perceptions and improving the future pathways of people with different abilities and is committed to creating the best possible education and school experience for the entire GANF community.
Kate White
Deputy Headteacher & Well Being Lead
Kate started teaching at Sandon School in 1998 and continues to be passionate about providing a balanced and holistic education for all of our learners.
She enjoys teaching across all key stages across GANF.
Kate has lead Early Years provision and communication across both campuses for the last 3 years and is also responsible for PMLD provision at Sandon. She is currently leading curriculum with a focus on the ongoing development of a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum for all of our learners at Sandon.
Kate holds a BEd (hons) teaching qualification and a postgraduate certificate in Autism from Northampton University.
Lizzie Papworth
Assistant Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Lizzie has worked within CIT for the past nine years.
Her time and experiences within the trust have developed her passion in supporting the overall development of pupils as individuals.
Lizzie believes in empowering and equipping pupils with the skills and strategies for their social and emotional development alongside their academic progress to reach their full potential.
Ollie Maltby
Assistant Headteacher
Ollie has worked at GANF since 2014. He studied Physical Education (BA Hons) at the University of Bedfordshire.
Ollie is a qualified Team Teach instructor and has supported in schools across the Trust to provide a holistic approach to managing behaviour. His working ethos is to promote physical activity in school due to the benefits on pupils’ mental health and well-being.
Ollie wants to develop a happy atmosphere in which all children are encouraged to cultivate pupils’ responsibility for managing their own behaviour in an appropriate manner to the various situations encountered.
Vicky Chapman
Assistant Headteacher
Vicky has worked at GANF since 2013. She studied at Bishop Grosseteste University, obtaining a (BA Hons) Primary Education with QTS Degree.
Vicky has taught both lower and upper school pupils at Ambergate, which has supported her with her role as Curriculum Lead, ensuring that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum in order to progress to the best of their abilities.
Vicky’s time and experience at GANF has allowed her to develop skills and expertise within Special Educational Needs. Her current role as Assistant Head at Ambergate will continue to enable Vicky to have an impact on the teaching, learning and assessment of pupils ensuring that the very best provision is being provided.
Alison Redfern
Assistant Headteacher & SENCo
Alison graduated from Worcester University with a BA (Hons) in English Literature and then went onto gain a PGCE from Nottingham Trent University.
Alison has worked in special educational needs all of her career which began at Ambergate in 2013. Whilst being at Ambergate, she has taught across all of the four key stages and for the past two years her teaching commitments have been with the GCSE group.
During her time at Ambergate, Alison has gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Education – addressing Difficulties in Literacy Development. This allows her to conduct a number of formal assessments and submit the required applications that allow the appropriate exam access arrangements to be put in place for individual students.
In February 2018, she obtained the National Award for SEN Coordination from Nottingham Trent University. Alison’s role as SENCO involves conducting annual EHCP reviews for all pupils and liaising with a range of agencies to ensure that the appropriate level of support is provided.
Alison has previously been a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) with the LEARN Teaching School Alliance and a Specialist Partner in the LENS Project which was a focused school improvement programme with the main target to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND in mainstream schools.
