Chris Denley

Associate Principal

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.

Naomi Watts

Vice Principal & SENCO

After graduating from the University of Plymouth with a Bachelor of Education with a specialism in Physical education Naomi got a job working a small rural school in Cornwall teaching Key Stage 2. Whilst working there she became interested in working with pupils with challenging behaviour. The year after her NQT year she completed the SENCO qualification. After having her son she got a job in a large town based Primary school where she worked as a senco for 3 days a week. It was here that Naomi became aware of the APA's and began working at Restormel APA as the Primary lead teacher 3 years ago. She then became the Primary raising standards Lead and last year relocated to Penwith APA. Naomi's interested in providing outreach support to primary schools to try and help pupils with challenging behaviour stay within their mainstream setting. She is looking to continue to develop the outreach that could be offered to try and reduce exclusions in the Penwith area and provide timely and targeted support to schools.

Laura Ghiblawi

Pastoral Support Manager

Laura has worked with young people and their families in schools and Local Authorities since graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1999 with a BA Hons in Applied Community Studies.

She began her career working in Hertfordshire Youth service and then moved into the London Borough of Camden working in a mainstream school with Children at risk of exclusion. She continued her career in Camden, first working with homeless young people and then managing a front line Community Legal Advice Service for 16- 25 year olds within Children, Schools and Families . She then went on to work in mainstream schools in London and Cornwall before moving into her role at Penwith Academy.

Laura has worked and travelled in Australia and South East Asia and is passionate about travelling and experiencing the culture in different countries and communities across the world.

Laura loves living in Cornwall and enjoys walks on the beach with the dog, exercising, cooking and spending time with her family.