Robert Gasson

Chief Executive Officer

Rob is an experienced CEO with extensive board room experience as both a CEO and trustee. Rob’s first Headteacher role started in 2000, he has Masters Degrees in Economics and Education Management and has worked extensively with pupils who exhibit challenging behaviour and those who are unable to access school due to their health. He has contributed to developing leading policy and practice in this field and is a passionate advocate of inclusion, and proud father of two.

Gaynor Boyden

Chief Operations Officer

Gaynor qualified as a chartered accountant after studying for a degree in European Finance & Accounting and has worked in education since 1996, more recently as Head of Administration Finance and Resources, in industry in France as Head Accountant for a CD Mastering company as well as in practice in the UK. Her skills include financial management & analysis, leadership & management and devising and implementing continuous improvement strategies as well as speaking fluent French. Gaynor believes that her hands-on management approach builds excellent relationships helping both people and the organisation to prosper and flourish in a happy environment. When not constrained to the office she enjoys spending time with her extensive family & friends on the beach in the summer and around a rugby pitch in the winter

Helen Casson

Director of Education

After graduating from the University of East Anglia in PsychoSocial studies, Helen completed her PGCE at Sheffield Hallam University. She then taught in Sheffield for a few years before moving to an inner London school as Assistant Headteacher, leading on student and staff wellbeing. After a move to Cornwall in 2011, Helen became Deputy Headteacher at Looe Community Academy. Helen is a trained SENCo and a Thrive practitioner and is passionate about ensuring the needs of all young people are met. Helen sat on our Wave MAT board for number of years and is delighted to have now joined the Wave team. Outside of school Helen and her family enjoy exploring Cornwall in their rusty VW camper and bright orange beetle!

Jackie Taylor

Executive Principal - Glendinning Academy

Jackie has been working in education for 24 years and has led day and residential schools in the maintained and independent sectors. Her degree is in English and she spent many years leading English and PE in SEMH schools. Her teacher training was completed with Goldsmiths College and she has a Master’s in Education in Mental Health. She has supported other schools within her role as an NLE to develop inclusive practices Outside of work Jackie enjoys running, riding, developing her small holding and spending time with her family.

Tessa Claridge

Principal - Shoreline Academy

Tessa has been in education for over 20 years. Starting her career in further education and holding various senior leadership roles, Head of Department in Surrey, Head of College in Cornwall and as Head of Education and Pastoral Operations in Oxfordshire. Tessa has used her varied experiences to inspire learners from different backgrounds, ages, and abilities to achieve and engage in education. Now as Principal of Shoreline Academy Tessa will be looking to bring her drive and passion to ensure an excellent student experience. In her spare time, Tessa likes to spend time with her family and dogs.

Andy Major

Principal - Penwith Academy

Andy trained as a Science teacher, specialising in Biology. He taught at Kingsbridge Community College in Devon for 7 years, where he became Head of PSHE, Citizenship and Work Related Education before moving across to alternative provision. Andy taught Science at Torbay Pupil Referral Unit for 2 years before becoming Head of KS4 at Torbay School, a day special school for children aged 4-16 with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Andy went on to become Head of Centre at Torbay School before making the move to Cornwall. Having worked as Vice Principal of Carrick Academy in Truro for 2 years Andy was appointed as Principal of Penwith Academy in September 2019. Before training to teach Andy worked across the UK as an event manager for national radio stations and magazine brands such as Kiss and Smash Hits. He also travelled extensively across West Africa working for NGOs, schools and nature reserves, spending 2 years with some of the most impoverished and vulnerable communities on Earth. Andy and his sons love their football and are involved in Redruth United FC, where Andy coaches the U8s team. Andy and his family love the Cornish life - surfing, walking the dog and all things outdoors.  

Haydn Pearse

Principal - Caradon Academy

Haydn has been in teaching for 18 years. He completed his BSc Combined Hons degree in Physical Education, Sport and Human & Applied Biology in Liverpool. He completed a PGCE at Chester College before going on to teach secondary Physical Education in Worcestershire for several years before relocating to Cornwall. Haydn joined Caradon Academy as a PE and PSHE teacher and has enjoyed making a difference with challenging pupils ever since in his role as Vice Principal and now Principal. Outside of work Haydn loves Rugby and spending time in the outdoors with his family and dogs.

Jonathan Stocker

Senior Principal - Nine Maidens Academy

Jonathan has worked at Nine Maidens since 2003. During his teaching career he has worked in a number of local schools initially as a SENCO and then as a Deputy Head. He was born in Hayle and considers it a privilege to be able to give something back to his local community by working at Nine Maidens. Jonathan has 4 children, 2 dogs and in his spare time enjoys surfing, windsurfing and mountainbiking.

Richard Triggs

Principal - North Cornwall Academy

Richard graduated from Plymouth University with a first class honours degree in Biological Science (BSc Hons). He then attended Exeter University to complete PGCE in Science/PE. Richard taught Science at Brannel since 2000, along with a pastoral role as Head of House. He has always been committed to making a positive difference to the most challenging pupils in his care. Richard is fortunate enough to have played football for the County Senior team, and now coaches an under 10’s team, keeps fit primarily by cycling, but enjoys many sports. He enjoys spending time with his family (wife and two children).

Tim Wherry

Principal - Restormel Academy

Tim has been in teaching for over 20 years whilst having various roles and responsibilities during this time. These include Class Teacher, Deputy Head, Vice Principal, Head Teacher and Executive Head Teacher. Tim is passionate about making a positive difference to all pupils academically, socially and emotionally. Having lived locally all of his life, he feels privileged to be able to make a difference to future generations. Tim has also had different roles since working at some of the APA’s across Wave since January 2021. He enjoys keeping fit by running and cycling and also exploring Cornwall with his wife and 2 young children.  

Lucy Stocker

Head of School - CHES Academy

Lucy has been a teacher since 1995 and has worked in Primary Schools and at Cornwall College Camborne before joining CHES in 2008. Lucy started out as an English teacher with CHES and moved on to being the SENCO in 2012, then Vice Principal in 2016 before becoming the Head of School at CHES in 2019. She completed the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination in 2014 to help her support SEN pupils within CHES. Lucy is married and enjoys spending time with her family.

Frances Harland

Head of School - Torlands Academy

Frances completed a degree in English Literature at Exeter University in 1988 and then worked for a literary agency specialising in foreign rights for English and American publishers in London. After moving to Devon in 1994, she undertook a PGCE in English at St Luke’s, Exeter University, before teaching in North Cornwall. Her interest in alternative provision stems from her experience of teaching a Year 11 student in outreach as they were not permitted to attend school on health grounds. In 2006, she began working in Devon with students unable to attend mainstream school for a range of complex reasons. She feels strongly about inclusion, and about meeting the needs of all young people, whatever their barriers to learning.

Emily Johnston

Head of School - Stansfield Academy

Emily has previously taught in mainstream primary schools for fifteen years, teaching across all Key Stages including Early Years Foundation Stage. During this time, she held the role of SENDCo and Key Stage One Leader. Alongside teaching, her main focus was supporting individual children to develop their social, emotional and behavioural needs. Emily has been at Stansfield Academy for 5 years, initially as a Primary class teacher and Primary Lead for the academy. In 2017 Emily developed her professional role, becoming Vice Principal and later in 2019 became Head of School of Stansfield Academy. Emily prides herself on building positive relationships with children and their families to help individuals achieve their full potential. Emily believes that every child deserves the best education, and that every child's potential is unlocked by building relationships, offering quality teaching with high aspirations and developing confidence in our young people. In her free time Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has a love for the outdoors, including mountain climbing and spending her time in and around the sea! 

Matthew Caunter

Principal - River Dart Academy

Matt trained as a teacher of Physical Education. He taught at the Brunel Academy in Torbay for 9 years, The Brunel Academy is a day special school for children aged 4-16 with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Matt went on to become Deputy Headteacher at the Academy before taking on the role as Headteacher for the last 5 years.

Before training to teach Matt worked in the leisure industry and as Sports Centre Manager before realising his passion for teaching.

Matt has played many team sports in his time including Football, Cricket, Gaelic Football and Rugby League. His main interest is Rugby Union where he follows his former club Brixham RFC along with the odd Exeter Chiefs game.

Sam Gilronan

Principal

Sam has been teaching for 26 years and has a wealth of experience in mainstream and alternative provisions having undertaken the role of SENCO over 18 years in settings across Kent and Devon. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of young people with SEND. She holds a Masters Degree in Speech and Language Difficulties and has utilised this to support children, families and schools over 4 years working across East Devon as an Advisory Teacher for the Communication and Interaction Team. Recently she was seconded by NASEN  to work as the Deputy Regional Lead for SEND in the South West and carried out this exciting role for 2 years alongside working as an Assistant Headteacher and SENCo at a specialist provision in North Devon. While not at work Sam enjoys spending time with her family and dog making the most of the beautiful coastline and scenery of Devon.

Lucy Holloway

Curriculum Lead

After graduating from the University of Durham, Lucy completed her PGSE at the University of Exeter and had been teaching ever since. Having worked in many different roles in school, Lucy became Assistant Head Teacher leading on curriculum before taking a career break from leadership to raise her children, (completing her NPQH in Nottingham with new born baby in tow)! Lucy completed a Masters Degree in Education at the University of Bath recently and is currently developing a research proposal into post 16 outcomes for pupils who attend the AP setting and how we positively make a sustainable difference to the life chances of some of our most vulnerable students through quality provision. Joining the CHES team and Wave Multi Academy Trust in 2016, Lucy thoroughly enjoys teaching and sees her job as a great privilege to be among such talented and creative staff and pupils. Outside of school, Lucy enjoys spending time with her family and friends.