Meet The Team

Nicola is the creative force and strategic mind behind Springfields Autism Support. She is likely to be your first point of contact with the team. Nicola will respond to your enquiry, matching you with the right team member to meet your needs. Nicola oversees the many hubs, networks and partnerships that the academy is involved in and is a co-founder of A-Fest, A-Fest Online and A-Journal. Nicola has extensive experience of mainstream and specialist settings and has been teaching for over 16 years. Her expertise lies in staff development, SEND system leadership and educational leadership. Nicola facilitates the NPQ Leading Teaching and the NPQ Behaviour and Culture for Best Practice Network. 

Nicola Whitcombe is a relentlessly child-focused practitioner with significant experience of mainstream and specialist settings. Nicola has held a number of senior leadership positions including the role of SENCo and Resource Base Lead. Nicola holds a range of postgraduate qualifications in autism and SEND; she has extensive experience of school to school support and is an experienced trainer, offering support on the theories of autism, quality first teaching, the role of a SENCo and more. Nicola has recently completed her NPQH. Nicola facilitates on the NA Senco and the NPQ SL with Best Practice Network.

Connie is a multi-skilled practitioner with experience of both mainstream and specialist settings. Connie oversees the academy's approach to Communication and Interaction. Connie has completed the NA SENCo and is currently studying for a MA. Connie's dissertation project explores how Autistic Learners can be supported at break and lunch times. Connie leads a team of talented Learning Support and Higher Learning Support Assistants and can advise on the effective deployment of additional adults. Connie also oversees our 3 Deputy SENCos. Connie facilitates on the NA Senco with Best Practice Network.

Liz is an experienced Occupational Therapist who is committed to supporting young people to live safe, independent lives. Liz is able to advise on strategies to meet pupils’ sensory needs as well as environmental adaptations to enable learners. Liz brings a unique perspective on how to support learners in the classroom. Liz is able to support schools with environmental audits and sensory needs.

A specialist in learning through play and Early Years teaching, Claire is highly skilled in engaging and supporting young children into the school environment. Claire uses TEACCH and Bucket Time principles across her teaching and is able to advise others on the use of these practices. Claire is also the Attention Autism Champion for the academy. Claire is currently working towards the Certificate in Play Therapy.

Maxine Page is one of the academy's Deputy Sencos. She is an experienced SEND practitioner, who has just completed the NA Senco qualification. Maxine oversees the Adventurer’s provision and is skilled at utilising pupil voice to inform her curriculum and learning pathways. She was the final recipient of the Tilley Trophy for outstanding commitment to Springfields and personal growth.

Sam is an experienced teacher and leader, having worked in both mainstream and specialist settings. Sam has experience of building SEND provision from scratch, having been involved in establishing Springfields South. Sam is a child-centred practitioner who uses a multi-agency approach. Sam is our Resource Base Expert Advisor. Sam facilitates on the NPQ in Leading Teaching and the NPQ in Senior Leadership for Best Practice Network.

Lee Davidson is an ebullient and charismatic leader who is passionate about helping learners succeed. Lee ensures the right systems and processes are in place to enable learners to thrive. Lee leads a team of talented and diverse practitioners across a range of academic and vocational areas. Lee has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Autism with Sheffield Hallam University. Lee  facilitates on the NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture and the NPQ in Senior Leadership for Best Practice Network.

Laura Wells is one of the academy’s Deputy Sencos. Laura is an experienced SEND practitioner. She is part of the academy’s extended leadership team, leading the Compex Needs provision. Laura is studying for the NA Senco. 

Claire is a dedicated practitioner with significant teaching experience (over 20 years!) across mainstream and specialist settings. Known for her ‘can-do’ attitude, Claire is enthusiastic, resilient and practical. Claire is a child-centred practitioner and she supports her team with creating the right environment to support learners to flourish. Claire is experienced in curriculum design and is currently writing a new curriculum to support children with enquiry-based learning. Claire is an experienced middle leader and is currently completing the NPQ in Senior Leadership. Claire facilitates the NPQ in  NPQ Leading Teaching and the NPQ Behaviour and Culture for Best Practice Network. 

Linda is a passionate, child-centred practitioner who has been working with SEND children for more than 20 years.  She comes from an early years background and has taught across the primary age-range.  Linda is a specialist SEN practitioner who joined Springfields as an ECT.  She enjoys teaching a primary based curriculum to older students who require a nurture approach.  Linda is the Reflective Supervision link for the academy and an ECT mentor.  She is passionate about the importance of community links and parental engagement and is currently working towards her MA in Professional Practice at Bath Spa University.

Jess Mayo-Ward is an experienced SEND practitioner. Jess has taught in a range of specialist settings and held a number of roles, including Senco and Assistant Head. Jess is a staff governor and is currently working towards the NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture. She is an experienced trainer and presenter and enjoys creating new content and resources. Jess is a creative, compassionate and child-centred practitioner.

Natasha is an experienced practitioner across mainstream and specialist provisions. Natasha is currently an EYFS class teacher and ECT mentor at Springfields. She has extensive experience teaching in mainstream settings with high numbers of SEN pupils, and teaching in specialist provisions. Natasha is passionate about creating a positive environment for both staff and pupils to thrive, focusing on a child-centred approach to teaching. She has previous experience in subject leadership in schools, driving a curriculum focused on practical and active learning. Natasha is positive, solution-focused and always happy to help.