Compliant and registered provider with Dorset & BCP CouncilWatch our online prerpectus here

Meet the Team

Callum Cooper

Callum Cooper

Director, Senior Leadership Team, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Callum is a Qualified Teacher and Senior Leader. Callum has worked in local BCP schools for over 11 years.

 
Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith

Director, Senior Leadership Team, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Dan is a Qualified SENCo and Qualified Teacher. Dan has a sporting background and has over 12 years experinece in working in BCP schools. 

 
Jack Gauden

Jack Gauden

Director, Senior Leadership Team, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Mentor.

Jack has worked in schools as a 1:1 SEN Learning Support Assistant.

Taylor Edwards

Taylor Edwards

BCP Area Manager, Senior Leadership Team and Senior Tutor and Mentor

Taylor has worked in schools delivering PE to all age groups as well as working within after school clubs and school holiday provision. 

 
Ziggy

Ziggy

Therapy Dog

Ziggy is training to become a Qualified Therapy Dog and spends his days in our bases supporting children with their emotional regulation and listening to them read (when he's not at the beach!).  

 
Sam Hansford

Sam Hansford

SEMH Mentor

Sam is our specialist SEMH Mentor and works in transitioning children back into school after long periods of absence. Sam has also worked as a coach for a holiday club provider. 

Deb McDonagh

Deb McDonagh

Tutor and ELSA Mentor

Deb is a qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) SpLD Teacher and has worked in hubs within mainstream schools supporting children with additional needs. 

 
Hannah Scott

Hannah Scott

Tutor

Hannah is a Qualified Teacher, having worked in mainstream schools as a class teacher. Hannah also has the TQUK Level 2 certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health and TQUK Level 2 certificate in Counselling Skills (RQF). 

 
Bridget Westbrook

Bridget Westbrook

Tutor and Mentor

Bridget is a qualified SpLD Teacher, having worked in hubs within mainstream schools, supporting children with additional needs. 

Claire Ellement

Claire Ellement

Mentor

Claire is a qualified CBT Counselor and uses these skills to help the young people she works with in RISE. 

 
Charlie Firth

Charlie Firth

Mentor

Charlie has worked in schools providing PE lessons as well as a coach for a football coaching company and a holiday club provider. 

 
Nicola Criticos

Nicola Criticos

Tutor and Mentor

Nicola has worked many years in Alternative Provision as well as fostering children. 

Niall Dixon

Niall Dixon

Mentor

Niall has worked as a sports coach in schools and also as a coach for a holiday club provider. 

 
Fran Sayers

Fran Sayers

Mentor

Fran has worked in Alternative Provision supporting children to regulate their emotions and reintegrate back into education. 

 
India Robinson

India Robinson

Mentor

India has worked in SEN schools as a 1:1 support assistant. India is a keen artist and uses this to help children express themselves. 

Lucinda Wyatt

Lucinda Wyatt

Mentor

Lucinda has worked in Alternative Provision supporting children with additional needs. Lucinda loves being outdoors and going on nature walks!

 
Max Mountford

Max Mountford

Mentor

Max has delivered PE within schools as well as a coach for a holiday club provider. 

 
Natalie Heasman

Natalie Heasman

Mentor

Natalie has worked in residental children's homes, supporting children with regulating their emotions and providing a safe and nurturing environment for them. 

Annelies Paris

Annelies Paris

Tutor and Administrative Assistant

Annelies is a Qualified Teacher and has taught in Primary Schools across BCP. 

 
Kate Morcos

Kate Morcos

Sports Mentor

Kate is a Qualified Teacher and has taught PE in school across the primary age ranges. Kate has a passion for sports and enabling children to use sports to build their self-esteem. 

 
Verity Cooper

Verity Cooper

Mentor

Verity is a qualified Forest School Practitioner and has worked as a Manager within a Forest School Nursery. 

Marc Plunkett

Marc Plunkett

Sports Mentor

Marc has a BSC in Sports Coaching and is a qualified English Boxing Level 2 Coach. 

 

We're always looking for the right people to join our team. If you think you have the right skill set and knowledge to become part of the RISE team, get in touch here.

Latest News

Empowering Growth: RISE's Staff Day on Safeguarding and Emotional Literacy

staff day 1

Posted: 05-03-2025

RISE Alternative Provision Staff Training Day Focuses on Safeguarding and Emotional Literacy Assessment

> Read more...

2nd reintegration in one week!

RISE 1

Posted: 28-02-2025

RISE Successfully reintegrates another pupil who was permanetly excluded back into education!

> Read more...