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!

Jonathan Stocker

Executive Principal

During his teaching career Jonathan 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.. Jonathan has 4 children, 2 dogs and in his spare time enjoys surfing, windsurfing and mountain-biking.

Tessa Claridge

Principal - Stansfield 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 Stansfield 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.

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.

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).

Lucy Stocker

Principal - 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

Principal - 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.

Russell Clarke

Principal - Shoreline Academy

Russell’s teaching career began in Birmingham after completing a BSc (Hons) in secondary design and technology Education at Nottingham Trent University in 1998. Much of his experience is in pastoral support within mainstream schools. His previous leadership roles have included Senior Head of Learning and Guidance, Assistant Head Teacher and Deputy Head teacher. Russell’s family relocated to Devon in 2016 and he was appointed Vice Principal at Shoreline Academy in July 2017, becoming Principal in Sep 2022.

Sam Gilronan

Principal - Glendinning Academy

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.

Andie Parker-Jones

Principal- Nine Maidens

Andie has worked in Nine Maidens since 2014 as Careers Lead and PSHE teacher. Before this she worked in a number of local secondary schools as a humanities teacher and Head of Department and has travelled extensively. In her spare time Andie enjoys paddleboarding, hiking and photography. 

Chris Denley

Principal -Penwith

Chris started teaching at Greendown Community School in Swindon in 1997 as a History teacher. He became Director of Vocational Provision, organising work-related learning before being appointed to the Leadership Team as Assistant Head with responsibility for Curriculum, Assessment and ICT. In 2008 he moved to West Penwith to become Deputy Head, and then Head of School, at Cape Cornwall School. He was a Specialist Leader in Education for Truro and Penwith Teaching School and supported schools across Cornwall in developing teaching and learning. He moved into alternative provision and set up an education provider with colleagues, before joining Wave and teaching with CHES. He has continued to support Teaching and Learning, working with Stansfield Academy, and was appointed Associate Principal with Wave, based at Penwith Academy, in January 2023.

Outside of work Chris has a family with three children. He enjoys playing guitar, cycling, running and surfing. He loves watching football with his sons who share his love for the mighty Swindon Town and Liverpool. He also enjoys watching rugby with his Dad, and supports Dings Crusaders from afar. He has recently completed his MA in History and is an Outreach Team member of the British Association for Local History. In his spare time, he is researching a book about working-class religious affiliation and leisure in Bristol the end of the Victorian period.

Jayne Brigg

Acting Principal River Dart Academy

Jayne has been teaching across mainstream Primary,  2-19 SEN and Secondary SEMH and behaviour provisions for over 25 years. Originally from Cumbria, Jayne completed her degree and PGCE in York and having taught in Yorkshire for 5 years, moved to Cornwall in 2003. Jayne is a qualified SENDCO and has almost completed the National Professional Qualification in Headship.  Jayne has recently completed a 9 month secondment at Restormel Academy in St Austell and prior to this her substantive post is Head of Education at Sowenna, a CAMHS unit in Bodmin Hospital. Jayne is committed to making a positive difference to the lives of young people through meaningful and quality educational experiences and is very much looking forward to supporting the team at River Dart. Jayne will be accompanied by her Irish Setter Rosie who is a lovely addition to a school setting.

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. Most leadership jobs in schools, Lucy has experienced, as either a Pastoral, Department, Phase, Trust and Senior Leader, and also as a Governor and SLE;  a career spanning 27 years in a wide range of educational establishments. 

Joining WAVE originally at CHES APA as a teacher, following a career break to raise 3 small children whilst completing a Masters at the University of Bath in Education, Lucy joins the new Trust School Development Team as Curriculum strategic Lead. 

A well planned and taught rich, varied and yet uncluttered curriculum; one that is 'Alternative' yet still 'Provides' -is what Lucy provides strategic support for.  Reengaging pupils with reading is one of our biggest drivers; bringing in support for the effective teaching and leadership of reading in schools has been key to this. Lucy works with external organisations, as well as internally through our Subject Networks, to grow and build capacity in all curriculum areas, including charities such as the Youth Sports Trust, neighbouring Trusts, Teaching Hubs and EEF Associate Research School and County subject networks.

Mike Keveth

Progress Lead

After graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in Pure and Applied Mathematics, Mike then completed his PGCE before working as a mathematics teacher in two Hampshire schools in the 1990s. Mike moved back to his home county of Cornwall to join Looe Community School initially as Head of Mathematics, before becoming an Assistant Headteacher in 2001 and then the Deputy Headteacher from 2008.  Whilst at Looe, Mike was also briefly seconded to the Local Authority as a Secondary Mathematics Advisor.  In 2014, frustrated by the political direction of education, Mike and his wife decided to leave education for a new challenge and started their own hospitality business.  After four successful years, they sold their business and Mike resumed his teaching career with Wave.  Mike believes passionately that education should not be a ‘one size fits all’ and likes to be ‘creative’ when solving problems.  When the Torlands Academy was formed in 2019, Mike became the lead teacher for both mathematics and online learning, was promoted to Assistant Headteacher and now works across the Trust.  Outside of school, Mike enjoys family life, exploring the South West with his two dogs, almost any sport, and is an avid Plymouth Argyle supporter.