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 Finance 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

Clare Barden

Executive Head Devon & Principal - Stansfield Academy

Clare completed her Degree in London, and moved to Cornwall in 1992. She worked for a few years in a Secure Unit for adults with Severe Learning Disabilites in Falmouth, before completing her PGCE in London in 1996 and working at Pool School (now Academy) for 10 years. In 2007 she took up post as Deputy at Penwith Academy, before taking the post of Head at Restormel in February 2015. Clare became Principal at Penwith in April 2017. Clare is passionate about giving vulnerable young people every possible opportunity to succeed in life, striving for ways to help them academically, socially and emotionally. Her interests outside of work include playing saxophone and keyboards, walking, travelling, gardening, cooking…..and sleeping!

Helen Casson

Executive Head Medical & Principal - CHES / Torlands Academy

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!

Lianne Ward

Executive Head Cornwall & Principal - Restormel Academy

Lianne Ward has been a teacher for 21 years. After completing her education degree in Cardiff she then spent 13 years employed as a Year 6 teacher in a local Primary school before travelling the world in 2002. Whilst travelling Lianne enjoyed teaching in Peru and Thailand. In 2011, she was appointed lead teacher of an area based Nurture Group as part of Cornwall Council before taking on the post of Vice Principal and SENDCo at Restormel Academy, and was appointed as Principal in 2017. In April 2019, Lianne was appointed Executive Principal for Wave MAT Cornwall, overseeing the smooth running of all six academies in Cornwall. Lianne is committed to providing a nurturing school provision to support our most vulnerable students whilst maintaining high expectations with a strong academic focus. Lianne is passionate about sharing expertise and supporting all pupils effectively to enable them to achieve their best. Lianne loves being active and enjoys the outdoors with her family and dog, Isla. She frequently travels with her family and enjoys sewing.

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.

Ryan Brokenshire

Director of School Improvement

Ryan has been a teacher for 18 years. Training initially as a primary teacher, Ryan worked in two local primary schools giving him experience teaching all age groups. Ryan has however, spent the majority of his teaching career working in different academie in a range of roles. Ryan is passionate in ensuring the experiences of young people and the understanding of their individual needs are at the heart of each academy. As a Senior Leader, Principal and now Director of School Improvement, Ryan has encouraged the development of strong strategic partnerships with the academies, local authority and other agencies to ensure the provision meets the diverse needs of pupils and their families.

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

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).

Joanna Rand

Joanna has recently moved from Norfolk where she was Headteacher of a Special School. She has been teaching for over 25 years in both mainstream and specialist provisions. She graduated from Bath University with a BA Hons degree in fine art where she also completed her PGCE. Joanna is a trained primary school teacher who has a passion for special education with a particular interest in autism. This interest eventually led to her completing a MEd in special education with a particular focus on autism at Birmingham University. She began teaching in a residential special school 2008 where she worked for 14 years. During this time, she completed the National Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) in 2009. She has worked with her Local Authoriry on a range of projects to ensure that the best provision is available to those children and young people with special educational needs. She has also been a school governor for mainstream and special schools. Joanna has a keen interest in developing the new generation of teachers and has been actively involved with her local universities delivering lectures and training in special educational needs, autism and safeguarding. Joanna is well read and enjoys learning new things. In her spare time, she enjoys outside activity, painting, drawing and travelling.

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 is the Special Needs coordinator. Lucy completed the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination in 2014 to help her to carry out the role of SENCo. She teaches English in the online school and in the home. 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 worked in mainstream primary schools for fifteen years teaching across all Key Stages including Early Years Foundation Stage. During this time she took the role of SENDCo and Key Stage One Leader. Alongside teaching, her main focus was working with individual children to support and develop their social, emotional and behavioural needs. Emily prides herself on building positive relationships with children to help them achieve their full potential. Emily joined Stansfield as the Learning and Standards Manager in Primary 2016 and is now the head of school.

Nicola Perrins

Head of School - River Dart Academy

After two years living and working in New Zealand, and some time spent travelling in Australia and Thailand, Nicola returned to the UK at the end of 2000. She completed a BA (Hons) in History in Manchester and then moved to Devon in 2005. After some time working in various administrative and legal positions, Nicola gained her PGCE in Primary Education with a subject specialism in Humanities at the University of Exeter in 2007. The following year, Nicola began her teaching career in a small primary school and, since then, has taught both KS1 and KS2. In 2011, Nicola moved to a large primary school in Plymouth taking subject responsibility for History and then English. Nicola remained at this school for six years, becoming Assistant Head in 2013. Within this role, as well as teaching Year 6,  Nicola was responsible for reading and writing interventions. During this time, she also played a significant role in working with pupils who were struggling within a classroom setting and re-engaging them in their learning. Nicola is passionate about building positive relationships with pupils, developing self-esteem and making learning enjoyable - she strives to ensure that every pupil receives a high-quality, engaging education.  Nicola is also committed to building resilience in pupils, helping them to make the most of every opportunity and equipping pupils with the skills to become lifelong learners. Her favourite saying is, ‘Clever people know what to do when they don’t know what to do.’ Outside of work, Nicola’s interests include walking on Dartmoor, travelling, shopping and reading.  

Sam Gilronan

Head of School

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 students 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 students. Outside of school, Lucy enjoys spending time with her family and friends