Meet the Team
Headteacher
Tawanda Madhlangobe
Dr. Tawanda Madhlangobe is a leading educator, academic and father of two. He qualified as a teacher from the University of Zimbabwe in 1993. Tawanda is deeply committed to the well-being of disadvantaged learners, hence his pursuit of a Bachelor of Philosophy in Special Educational Needs at the University of Birmingham. He then went on to study for a Master of Education at the University of Hertfordshire, awarded with a commendation. In his research, Tawanda focused on how to measure and understand disaffection as part of these studies. In 2008, Tawanda distinguished himself as a recipient of the Teacher of the Year award London Secondary School category for his outstanding work with disaffected students. He went on to study for a Doctorate in Education Degree investigating how educators use the experiences of students to design alternative curriculum provisions.
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Deputy Head Teacher, SENCO, Designated Safeguarding Lead
Melisa Çokdeğerli
Melisa is a qualified SENCo and teacher specialising in Special and Inclusive education. She has over 10 years of experience leading and working with children and young people in youth offending, education, youth targeted support in diverse settings, and is passionate about education and committed to breaking down barriers to ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for all. As a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, Melisa actively work towards creating awareness and understanding with a strong commitment to student wellbeing.
Music Instructor and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Lee Bigland
Telephone: 01945 660988
"I am a passionate educator with experience teaching both peripatetically and classroom music. Before working at Home Tree School, I taught at 5 schools in Norfolk delivering instrumental lessons to classrooms and individual students from key stage 2 up to key stage 4. Whilst doing this, I also had just over 60 private students studying guitar, bass guitar and banjo for weekly lessons. My students have a 100% pass rate when taking graded examinations.
When I am not delivering music, I am performing with a function band around the country called The Walks as a bassist. My work has allowed me to perform at extravagant venues, festivals and recording studios around the United Kingdom.
Other than having a passion for music, I also greatly enjoy raising awareness and funding for West Norfolk Mind mental health charity. My fundraising efforts include skydiving from 13,000ft, cycling 300 miles from London to Paris and summiting the world’s tallest freestanding mountain Mount Kilimanjaro and most recently, I have cycled from Lands’ End to John O Groats during the summer holidays. Because of my charity work, I was awarded the title of Charity Champion of West Norfolk."
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Teacher
Louise Hishon
"I have been working in the Education system for about 10 years, both in Primary and Secondary education. I completed my degree in Psychology and Sociology and particularly l enjoyed applying both these disciplines to fairy tales. I have been teaching English for nearly 10 years and have thoroughly enjoyed teaching and am still enjoying the challenge. I have many hobbies and these include reading, exercise and gaming."
English Lead
Sandy Clayton
"For twenty-five years I have worked in education firstly as a mainstream drama teacher than as a head of department in charge of performing arts. After six years I left to complete a masters degree in Drama and theatre in education. I then took a position as a head teacher at a special school where I stayed for 6 years using drama and theatre at the centre of the learning. I then specialised in re-engaging disaffected students back in to education and 1:1 work which I enjoy along with being a home tutor for CareTech.
My education history is a Drama degree. Drama and English PGCE and an MA in drama and theatre in education."
Humanities Teacher
Sonia Warnes
I’m Sonia and before becoming a fully qualified teacher I was involved in the provision of Early Years education. Immediately prior to working at Home Tree School, I spent 16 years working in secondary and further education settings, teaching a range of age groups including KS3, KS4 and KS5. I have taught a variety of subjects across these age groups, including History, Religious Education and Sociology to GCSE and/or Advanced Level. I have also instructed in Geography, ICT and English to the lower year groups.
At Home Tree School I am responsible for the delivery of the Humanities subjects, and running assemblies twice a week.
My interests outside work include socialising with friends and family, yoga, walking, cycling, and visiting historic sites/museums.
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Art Teacher
Ebru Sahin
I’m Ebru and have been in education for over 10 years. I have experience of working within a Primary Speech and language Specialist provision which was a highly rewarding placement.
I moved into a specialist provision for secondary aged pupils requiring support to access the curriculum where I had the opportunity to plan and teach a range of subjects.
I studied Art and Design at Middlesex University and gained my Higher-Level Teaching Assistant qualification through the University of Northamptonshire, and have chosen to support young people within the Art room to by joining Home Tree school as an Art Teacher.
I am a mother of 2 and enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cooking and exploring new places.
Teaching Assistant
Carol Bowett
"Prior to working at Home Tree School, I was serving in the British Army for 14 years, employed within the Royal Military Police. In 2010, I left the Army to start a family and subsequently took a 7-year career gap in order to bring up my 2 children. It was during my time as a full-time mother that I realised how rewarding a career in education would be. I obtained my Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools qualification and began my career with a charity providing bespoke educational packages for children, aged 14-16, who have been excluded from mainstream school. I then moved onto working as a Teaching Assistant at Home Tree School, which seemed a natural progression in my new career.
Outside of work, I am a member of a local running club and enjoy participating in competitive races of distances ranging from 5k to marathons. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family."
Teaching Assistant
Kai Booker
Hello I am Kai, I am a teaching assistant, I came to Home Tree School after working in children’s homes for a few years. I have a few quirky hobbies including LARP, airsoft.
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Teaching Assistant
Matthew Chukwudi Okolo
Matthew is a passionate and self-motivated individual and a graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu, Nigeria.
He also holds a Masters degree from the same Institution. Taught briefly as a Maths and Science School Teacher before going into Engineering practice. He Practised as a Registered Engineer in the field of Electrical Building services and was engaged in Designing, Draughting (AUTOCAD) and Supervision of Electrical service project back home in Nigeria. He was involved in Designing, Draughting and Supervision of Electrical Service Projects for Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in Nigeria.
In his free time he likes listening to good music and exercising.
Teaching Assistant
Gemma Bates
Hello I am Gemma, I am a teaching assistant.
I came to Home Tree School after working as a health care assistant in a hospital.
I enjoy going hiking in my spare time
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Teaching Assistant
Caroline Hanger
Hello my name is Caroline, I am a teaching assistant at home tree school, I have previously worked in a secondary school and in a residential home beforehand. I enjoy helping the young people to be the best they can be. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family friends and my dog going on walks, yoga, meditation and the gym.
Administrator
Angela Robinson
Hello I am Angela and I am the new Administrator at Home Tree School.
After working in an admin role for the last 22 years in busy traffic office of haulage company I have decided to have a change and do something a bit different.
I have 2 children and a grandson who suffer with Autism.
In my spare time I help out at Emma’s Hedgehog Hospital where I go out to events to help raise much need funds, I am also in charge of the stock items we sell.
Governance Board
Termly Governance Board meetings are held at Cambian Home Tree School to ensure that the management of the school is closely scrutinised and held to account in all areas of responsibility.
The agenda comprises of:
✓ Voice of the Child - student feedback
✓ Head Teachers Highlight Report outlining achievements and challenges and progress against school improvement report
✓ Outcomes for Children and Young People - Care
✓ Outcomes for Children and Young People - Education
✓ Outcomes for Children and Young People - Therapy
✓ Commercial Performance
✓ Staffing and Personnel
✓ Estates Report
✓ IT report
Chair of the board is Steve O'Gara who is contactable here or by phone: 07727 232 299
The Governance Board contain key individuals from outside and within the school who attend this meeting each term and parental and staff feedback is always welcomed.