top of page

Our Team

From the Chair of Governors

I am delighted and privileged to be the founding Chair of Governors for Oaklands School. This school was created specifically to provide a unique and enjoyable learning experience for children and young people aged 5 – 16 years with additional needs. We believe that ‘learning should be fun’ and that every pupil should be ‘happy and successful’.

This is why we have taken the very best school practices and built them into our school – our curriculum offer is therefore broad, balanced, relevant and personalised to meet individual pupil’s needs. Our approach fits perfectly with EHC planning and partnership working, personalisation and accountability.

We therefore welcome parental and carer engagement and feedback on all aspects of the school. Our success will be measured by your child’s happiness and achievements in school and in later life.

A very warm welcome to Oaklands, I look forward to meeting you.

Julie Smith

Dr Julie Smith, Chair of Governors

Dr Julie Smith our Chair of Governors

Julie has a degree in Chemistry and Education, Post-Graduate Certificate in Education, Masters Degrees in Women’s Studies and Librarianship and Information Studies, plus a PhD in Education. She has also worked in a variety of teaching and learning environments, including Teaching English as a Foreign Language at a private school in Europe, Learning Resource Centre management at a Further Education College and in Education and Training in the NHS. Julie also taught Librarianship and supervised education students at Master's level.

The Chair can be contacted at the school address, by e-mail or on 01488 757367.

The Oaklands School Team

Executive Director - Mike Lavelle

Chair of Governors - Julie Smith

Executive Headteacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, SLT - Georgios Chatzakis

Deputy Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead, SLT, SENDCo, Teaching Staff - Phil Chivers

Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, SLT, Teaching Staff - Ian Simmons

School Business Manager, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, SLT - Suzanne Nutley

Teaching Staff

Allison Barlow

Daisy Clarke

Chris Hoggarth

Charlotte Klaiber

Philippa Margolin

Charmaine Rochat

Sam Self 

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) - Ellena Butt

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Rosie Bailey

Laura Brown

Liz Hawkins

Eleanor Prout

Rhys Tyler

Teaching Assistant (TA)

Claire Bailey

Elke Bull

Sujitha Chandran

Emma Chapman

Jackie Dopson

Sarah Hillyard

Megan Hunter

Foluke Irabor

Chloe Morrison

Sasha Roberts

Ella Smith

Elaine Stalker

Danielle Thompson

Shania Vallence

Ellie-May Wooldridge

Administration Officer - Gemma Robinson

Marketing and Communications Manager - Chula Bishop

Play Therapist - Louise Coakley

Speech and Language Therapist - Tracey Jones

SLT - Senior Leadership Team

SENDCo - Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Coordinator

Learn more about our approach to teaching.

bottom of page