Alexis Carpenter
A bit about me
With over 25 years of experience working with children, my career in education has been shaped by a deep commitment to helping every child feel seen, valued and supported. After starting as a class based teacher, I quickly moved into senior leadership, where I discovered my true passion for inclusion, wellbeing, relational practice and safeguarding.
For the past 12 years, I have led on Special Educational Needs and Inclusion across schools. My work focuses on supporting vulnerable pupils and empowering families to ensure every child can thrive. Central to my approach is a deep commitment to restorative and relational practice, ensuring that mental health and wellbeing are at the heart of every intervention. This path led me to gain my NASENCo qualification in 2014, and I have since continued to expand my expertise, training as an Autism Awareness Lead, Emotion Coach and Attachment Awareness Lead. I also serve as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Teacher responsible for advocating and improving the outcomes for children who have been in the care of the local authority, and for previous care leavers. On a daily basis, I work closely with families during some of their most vulnerable moments.
My work in mental health and wellbeing has been a strategic role, leading on approaches that support children, families and staff wellbeing. Outside of my professional life, I find joy in simple things that keep me grounded - long walks, reading and spending time with family and friends. These moments remind me of the importance of balance, connection and kindness in everything I do.
My job roles have also influenced me personally and I hope to register as a foster carer in the future, offering care to babies and children who need a safe, loving home, as well as providing respite for families in challenging circumstances. It feels a natural extension of the values that have guided my work for so many years.​
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Catherine Newhall
A bit about me
After qualifying and working as a solicitor in the City, I made the decision to pursue my passion for working with children and retrain as a teacher; a decision that has shaped both my career and my sense of fulfilment. I have always been drawn to working in schools where a wide range of need within both the children and families has existed. In these settings, I soon recognised that building strong relationships and implementing a calm, honest and respectful approach made the greatest difference when working with people who were at their most vulnerable. Through these experiences, I have developed a deep understanding that all behaviour is a form of communication which requires a thoughtful response when supporting individual needs and promoting positive outcomes.
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Despite joining teaching later in my career, I quickly progressed into senior leadership roles, driven by a commitment to ensure every child feels seen, supported and championed. To help with this, I constantly endeavour to improve my practice and as such, I am in the process of completing the NPQ SENCO course to deepen my knowledge and understanding of inclusion and how best to support our children, particularly those who are finding the classroom overwhelming. ​
Viewing children as whole individuals, each with their own story, strengths and potential is central to my approach. I strive to ensure that every child has an advocate, a champion and a space where they can thrive. To be able to do that, I am very aware of my own wellbeing and the need to be grounded myself before I can support others. Cold water swimming has become a new passion of mine as well as spending time outside and being surrounded by friends and family. Having three sporty boys of my own under the age of 16 continues to keep me on my toes but has given me first hand experience of the challenges and realities of parenting while balancing work and family life.