Tessa Claridge

Principal

Tessa brings over 20 years of experience in education, including senior leadership roles across further education and specialist provision. Her previous positions include Head of Department in Surrey, Head of College in Cornwall, and Head of Education and Pastoral Operations in Oxfordshire.

More recently, Tessa has served as Principal across three of our behavioural schools in Devon. She now joins Torlands Academy as Principal, bringing extensive experience in supporting learners from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and abilities.

Tessa is passionate about careers education and serves as the Trust Lead for Careers. She is committed to delivering an excellent student experience and creating an environment in which every learner can engage, achieve and thrive.

Clair Mason

Vice Principal

Clair initially worked as a Veterinary Nurse in Devon.  Deciding on a career move, she attended Plymouth University to study for a Cert Ed in Education and a BA Ed. Upon completion of her studies, she then spent many years teaching in secondary schools and delivering BTEC qualifications and HLTA training across Devon. During this time, Clair also worked part time within the Social Care arena, working with young people and their families who were highly vulnerable due to homelessness, substance abuse and mental health needs. Clair has worked within the education and social care arena for over twenty years. Clair is passionate about meeting the many needs of the pupils and families she supports. She is a trained Thrive and ELSA practitioner.  At home she likes to keep up with her teenage daughter and take her dogs for long walks on the local beaches and woodlands.

Sara Wearne

Assistant Principal and English Lead for Medical

Sara graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in in English Language and then trained as a secondary English teacher at Exeter University. She has taught English for over 20 years, with 14 of those years spent as a teacher and Assistant Head of Year in a secondary school in Barnstaple, North Devon. After leaving mainstream, she worked in an Alternative Provision with students who had been permanently excluded from school. She moved to Torlands when it opened in 2019 and became the Subject Lead for English. She has always championed students who have barriers to learning (or school in general) and enjoys supporting them and their families, whilst making the curriculum accessible and relevant for everyone. She strongly believes that reading and vocabulary are at the heart of success.

Born and bred in North Devon, she still lives in Barnstaple with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not planning, teaching or marking, she spends most of her time watching her daughters play a variety of sports, but she also plays netball herself and enjoys walks (and cafes!) with her friends and family. She is  a keen baker and, of course, an avid reader!

Jonathan Gates

Assistant Principal Tor House

Jonathan’s early career in hospitality included international cruise ships and commercial operational management including business ownership. After successfully completing a PGCE at Greenwich University, he has been in the education sector for the past 21 years; working in a multi-site FE College in Wiltshire as a Programme Manager, for a national work-based learning provider as an Internal Quality Assurer, for the past 10 years in an Alternative Provision in Devon and most recently leading the BTEC provision across the Wave academies. Passionate about raising aspirations, developing knowledge and skills, and creating high-quality opportunities that enable young people to realise their potential. Outside of work Jonathan’s interests include music, gardening and enjoying the countryside and beaches of North Devon with his family and two dogs.

Cath Marchant

SENCo

After graduating from University with a degree in Music Performance, Catherine spent a year as a freelance musician before going on to complete a PGCE in Primary Education. She then taught in Essex and Devon in Senior Management and SENCO roles. Catherine also completed a Level 3 Counselling qualification and is an expert in Early Years and the teaching of reading. In 2017 Catherine started teaching at a special school on Dartmoor and in 2018 began working with WAVE. As SENCO Catherine is strongly committed to working alongside staff and families to help improve the life chances and mental well-being of students. She also teaches Mathematics and English on days without a SENCO timetable. Outside work Catherine enjoys reading, listening to music of all genres and spending time with her young family.

Tom Webb

Pastoral Support Manager

Tom grew up in North Devon and began his career at Petroc, working as a Support Assistant before progressing into teaching. He gained his Cert Ed while delivering a range of courses and engagement programmes, including working with NEET learners and later teaching within both the Foundation Learning and Supported Learning departments. Tom has worked within education and specialist support for over twenty years, developing a strong, learner-centred approach grounded in patience, consistency and understanding.

In his role as Designated Safeguarding Lead and Pastoral Support Manager at Torlands Academy, Tom is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all learners. He works closely with students, families and external agencies to provide guidance, support and stability, particularly for young people who require additional help with emotional regulation, confidence and communication. Tom is passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where every learner feels valued and able to thrive.

At home, Tom enjoys running, cycling, swimming and football, along with pursuing his interest in horology. He also values spending quality time with his family and making the most of life in the South West.

Adam Bates

Maths Lead for Medical

Growing up, Adam wanted to be an Olympic athlete and trained hard in his sport. After an injury, he felt a bit lost until school asked me to go on work experience. Adam had the pleasure of working in a reception classroom and discovered the joy of teaching, especially searching for that eureka moment. He set off on a pathway to get to where he wanted and, on the way, worked at the Stansfield Academy as a teaching assistant. Here he knew he was meant to work in alternative provision.

Fast forward many years: Adam studied BEd Primary (Mathematics specialism) at Plymouth University; teaching inner city primary in Exeter; before moving to Torlands where he has worked since September 2019. A dam is grateful for the time spent teaching and learning throughout.

In the classroom, you will find Adam exploring the wonders of mathematics in the real world as he shares his passion for the subject with anyone and everyone. Outside of the classroom, you will find Adam coaching Dodgeball or playing boardgames (the more narrative driven the better).

Donna Parker

Science Lead for Medical

After graduating from Swansea University with a degree in Chemical Process Engineering, Donna spent a few years working in the oil industry before relocating to Cornwall to pursue her PGCE. During her studies, she discovered a passion for teaching and a deep commitment to inspiring young people in Science and Maths. Donna went on to teach at an 11-18 secondary school in Cornwall for 14 years before joining CHES in 2019. She now teaches students of all ages in the community, at Glynn House, and at Sowenna. Outside of her teaching role, Donna lives on a working dairy farm with her husband and three children, trying each day to overcome her fear of cows! When she's not in the classroom, Donna enjoys walking her dog along the South West Coast Path or watching her children play sports in the community.