MEET OUR STAFF
"They provide the best care"
...a Willow Park Parent 2025
"All the staff are amazing. My child comes home happy; her needs are met and she’s developing every day"...a Willow Park Parent 2025
The Senior Leadership Team
KIMBERLEY PRESTON
Director​ (including SEND and Safeguarding)
I am so proud to be a Director at Willow Park School. I have worked with children with SEN for many years and it is my pleasure to welcome children at Willow Park School and watch them grow and develop their independence and communication.
​Along with Oliver Preston, I opened Willow Park School due to my passion to work with children with Autism and Speech and Language difficulties, having spent many years in mainstream education as a SENDCo and seeing how challenging it can be for these children without the right setting. I strongly believe we have the right setting for them here at Willow Park. I'm a Qualified Teacher and SENDCo
OLIVER PRESTON
Director and Business Manager
As the Business Manager I support the Principal and Head teacher by overseeing the business and its operations. Willow Park School is an exciting place, with dedicated staff supporting children with their educational development and their EHCP progress.
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Kimberley and I opened Willow Park School to children at the beginning of 2024. As a Director, I am proud of the opportunity we are providing for staff and children to thrive at Willow Park.
ALEX SMYTHE
Principal
Designated Safeguarding Lead
I joined Willow Park in March 2024 and have been proud to be part of the school’s journey almost from its very beginning. As Principal, I work closely with the Directors to shape the strategic direction of the school, ensuring every decision reflects a strong moral purpose and a deep commitment to the pupils and families we serve.
I bring 17 years of experience as a Headteacher and Executive Headteacher across multiple schools, combining strategic vision with a practical, hands‑on understanding of what high‑quality provision looks like. Collaboration sits at the heart of my leadership, and I am passionate about building a culture of continuous improvement where staff feel supported and pupils receive the very best care, teaching, and therapeutic input.
Since joining Willow Park, I have been deeply involved in strengthening the quality of teaching and learning, developing robust systems, and refining our curriculum and therapeutic offer to meet the complex needs of our pupils. This includes embedding consistent approaches across the school, ensuring meaningful use of SCERTS, developing our therapeutic provision, and supporting staff to deliver highly individualised learning experiences tailored to each child’s developmental profile.
I am committed to fostering a positive, inclusive environment where every pupil feels understood, valued, and safe, and where families are welcomed as essential partners in their child’s education. My approach is both strategic and grounded in everyday practice—I believe strongly in being present, visible, and connected to the lived experiences of staff and pupils.
As a qualified teacher (QTS) and holder of the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), I continue to lead Willow Park with empathy, clarity, and ambition. I am passionate about ensuring our school grows as a centre of excellence, offering a world‑class education for children with profound and complex needs, and giving every child the opportunity to flourish.
JOEL BALDWIN
Head teacher
Teacher and SENDCo
I joined Willow Park as Headteacher in April 2024, bringing with me a decade of experience in mainstream primary education, including leadership of Key Stage 1 and serving as Maths Lead in a large Warwickshire school. I also have valuable experience in developing a specialist resource provision for children with significant SEMH needs.
Since joining Willow Park, I have worked closely with staff to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning across the school. This has included introducing improvements to our learning environments, refining our curriculum delivery, and ensuring that our provision best meets the needs of all pupils.
Alongside my role as Headteacher, I serve as the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). This responsibility, together with regular time in the classroom, enables me to maintain a detailed understanding of each pupil’s individual needs and to ensure our curriculum and therapeutic approaches continue to support their holistic development.
As a qualified teacher (QTS), I am committed to leading Willow Park with warmth, high expectations, and a continued focus on strengthening outcomes for our pupils. I am excited to build on the significant progress already made and to help guide the school through its next phase of development.
Outside of school, I enjoy baking and spending quality time with my family, including my young daughter and our newest addition, born in May.
Our Teaching Staff
"All the staff are very welcoming and amazing"
...a Willow Park Parent 2025
JAYNE WHITE
Teacher
Jayne is the class teacher at Willow Park School and brings a wealth of teaching experience, passion, and professionalism to her role. Teaching has always been central to Jayne’s career. She studied at Sheffield Hallam University, graduating in 2009 with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status. Since then, she has taught across a range of Leicestershire primary schools, working in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 before joining Willow Park in November 2024. She is now an enthusiastic and dedicated member of the team, thriving in the specialist environment and deeply committed to the pupils she serves.
Trained in the teaching of synthetic phonics, Jayne is skilled in supporting early literacy development through structured, systematic teaching of letter–sound relationships. She enjoys fostering a love of reading and uses her expertise to create a positive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for all pupils.
As class teacher, Jayne works closely with Alex and Joel to ensure the school’s vision for teaching and learning is consistently realised in daily practice. She leads high‑quality classroom sessions and therapies, delivers robust yearly, termly, and weekly planning, and ensures that the learning environment remains purposeful, nurturing, and reflective of the needs of Willow Park’s pupils. Jayne also plays an important role in shaping the practices of the teaching assistants, modelling effective approaches and supporting colleagues to deliver high‑impact provision.
Jayne has been instrumental in improving planning formats across the school, helping to establish clearer structures that strengthen teaching and learning. Her work has enabled all staff to better understand their roles, contribute more effectively to pupils’ progress, and deliver a cohesive, high‑quality curriculum.
Jayne’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to continuous improvement make her an invaluable member of the Willow Park team.
SAMANTHA BROWN
Teaching Assistant
Sam is a highly skilled Teaching Assistant at Willow Park School, bringing specialist expertise in therapies, sensory support, and communication tools. Her calm, nurturing manner and her passion for supporting children with complex needs make her an invaluable part of the school team.
Samantha is dedicated to enhancing pupils’ communication and uses a wide range of approaches to help each child express themselves confidently and meaningfully. She is skilled in implementing communication systems and sensory strategies, adapting her methods to suit the individual strengths, needs, and developmental stages of every pupil. Her creativity and patience ensure that children remain engaged, understood, and well‑supported throughout their learning journey.
In addition to her classroom work, Samantha brings unique professional knowledge as a trained Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) support worker. This role has equipped her with a deeper understanding of language development, communication barriers, and therapeutic intervention. Her ability to collaborate closely with therapists, teachers, and families enriches the provision offered across the school and helps ensure pupils receive consistent, high‑quality support.
Samantha’s commitment to inclusive practice, her strong therapeutic skill set, and her unwavering dedication to pupil wellbeing all contribute to the nurturing and specialist environment that Willow Park strives to provide. She is a valued and trusted member of the team, always focused on helping children grow, communicate, and thrive.
NICKY FAITH
Teaching Assistant
Nicky brings a unique blend of professional experience, compassion, and specialist knowledge to her role at Willow Park. Before beginning her career in education, she worked within the police, spending much of her time supporting schools and working closely around matters of safeguarding. This early experience ignited her passion for working with children, particularly those with special educational needs, and laid the foundation for her strong commitment to pupil welfare and protection.
Nicky went on to work for several years within a specialist resource provision, where she developed a deep understanding of the needs of pupils requiring highly personalised support. She has a particular interest in safeguarding and behaviour management, and her calm, considerate manner helps children feel safe, understood, and well‑supported.
Nicky also has extensive knowledge of childhood anxieties and restrictive eating, bringing both personal and professional insight to her work with pupils who require additional support in these areas. She strives to ensure that every child feels accepted, included, and able to engage meaningfully with school life.
At Willow Park, Nicky has responsibility for working with vulnerable families, supporting them with empathy, clarity, and a strong understanding of the challenges they may face. She also takes a proactive lead in the school’s work on eating disorders such as PICA and ARFID, using her expertise to guide staff, provide tailored strategies, and ensure that pupils’ needs are met safely and sensitively.
Nicky’s dedication, specialist knowledge, and unwavering commitment to children’s wellbeing make her an invaluable member of the Willow Park team.
KIRSTY MADELEY
Teaching Assistant
Kirsty Madeley is a dedicated and highly valued Teaching Assistant at Willow Park School. Since joining the team, she has made a significant contribution to the school’s ethos through her specialism in outdoor learning, British Values, and protected characteristics. Her passion for creating meaningful learning experiences shines through in everything she does.
Kirsty firmly believes in the power of outdoor education to inspire curiosity, build resilience, and support pupils’ emotional and physical development. She uses the outdoor environment creatively and purposefully, helping children explore the world around them in a way that is engaging, accessible, and deeply enriching. Her thoughtful planning ensures that outdoor learning is not only enjoyable but also carefully tailored to the needs of each pupil.
In addition to her work outside the classroom, Kirsty plays a key role in promoting British Values and raising awareness of protected characteristics across the school. Her commitment to inclusivity helps foster a culture where every child is respected, valued, and supported to be themselves. She works closely with staff to ensure that these important principles are woven meaningfully into daily routines, curriculum experiences, and the wider life of the school.
With her innovative approach, warm personality, and dedication to best practice, Kirsty contributes significantly to the holistic development of Willow Park’s pupils. She is passionate about ensuring that every child has opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.
CHLOE NICHOLS
Teaching Assistant
Chloe joined Willow Park in Autumn 2024 and has quickly established herself as a dedicated and valued member of the team. She brings enthusiasm, reliability, and a strong work ethic to her role, supporting pupils with consistency and care and contributing positively to the school community.
Alongside her classroom responsibilities, Chloe plays a key role in maintaining the high standards of health and safety across the school. She carries out daily checks with accuracy and attention to detail, helping to ensure that the school environment remains safe, well‑organised, and ready for learning.
Chloe also leads on the organisation of educational visits, a role she takes great pride in. Her strong understanding of health and safety enables her to produce thorough risk assessments and to guide staff confidently through all aspects of each visit. Her careful planning ensures that every trip is safe, purposeful, and enjoyable for the children.
Chloe’s commitment, proactive approach, and passion for creating positive learning experiences make her a valued part of the Willow Park team.
KARINA SMITH
Teaching Assistant
Karina joined Willow Park School in Autumn 2024 and has quickly become a valued member of the team. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in Early Years education and child development, and her calm, nurturing approach helps create a positive and supportive environment for all pupils.
Karina has extensive experience working with children with a wide range of special educational needs. Her deep understanding of individual developmental pathways allows her to tailor support effectively, helping each child to progress at their own pace while feeling safe, understood, and encouraged. She is skilled in building strong, trusting relationships and in using a range of strategies to promote communication, independence, and engagement.
Since joining the school, Karina has embraced every aspect of her role with enthusiasm. She works closely with teachers and therapists to ensure the children receive high‑quality, consistent support, and she takes pride in contributing to the warm, child‑centred ethos of Willow Park. Her passion for early childhood development shines through in her work, and she is committed to helping pupils thrive both academically and emotionally.
Karina is excited to continue her journey at Willow Park and to play an active part in supporting the school’s growth and the children’s ongoing development.
DEBBIE HYDE
Teaching Assistant
Debbie joined Willow Park in September 2025 and has already settled into the team exceptionally well. With an impressive 30 years of experience working with children, she brings a wealth of knowledge, skill, and compassion to her role as a Teaching Assistant.
Much of Debbie’s career has been rooted in Early Years education, where she has developed a deep understanding of child development and the importance of nurturing, play‑based learning. Her calm, supportive manner and her ability to build strong, trusting relationships have made her highly respected in every setting she has worked in.
Over the past five years, Debbie has focused on supporting children with Special Educational Needs within mainstream settings. This experience has strengthened her ability to adapt learning, use a variety of supportive strategies, and tailor her approach to meet the individual needs of each pupil. She is passionate about helping children feel secure, confident, and ready to learn.
Since joining Willow Park, Debbie has embraced her new role with enthusiasm and positivity. She is already a valued member of the team and is enjoying becoming part of the warm, collaborative school community. Her dedication, experience, and genuine love for working with children make her a wonderful addition to Willow Park.
NICOLA MCGRATH
Teaching Assistant
Nicola brings an abundance of empathy, warmth, and understanding to her role at Willow Park. She has a natural ability to connect with children, offering calm reassurance when needed and joyful energy when it helps pupils engage and thrive. Her positive presence and nurturing approach make her a valued and much‑loved member of the team.
Nicola is an energetic professional who thrives on movement and creativity. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing, running, and spending lively, fun‑filled time with her three children. Her home life is full of excitement, thanks in part to her two playful kittens who ensure there is never a dull moment.
Balancing this energy, Nicola also finds peace and grounding in her role as an avid stable‑hand, where she enjoys the calm and companionship of horses. This connection to the outdoors and animals feeds into her gentle, patient manner with pupils.
Nicola also loves bringing colour and joy to the world through face‑painting at community events, celebrations, and children’s activities. Her artistic flair and enthusiasm turn ordinary moments into memorable ones, and she brings this same creativity and spirit into her work at Willow Park.
With her empathy, vibrancy, and genuine love for supporting children, Nicola enriches the school environment every day.
WENDY PRITCHARD
Volunteer - Teaching Assistant
Introducing Wendy Pritchard:
Wendy is a volunteer at Willow Park School. She brings a wealth of personal experience, knowledge and skills of children with ASD.
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Wendy is passionate about supporting the development of our pupils and, as well as classroom and admin support, provides the school with expert knowledge of implementing pupils' EHCPs
