Sarah Makin – Executive Head Teacher

Sarah joined the team when the school opened in 2015 and has been our Headteacher since 2019. She has worked in education for over 20 years and has been a TA, a Primary Teacher, a Secondary SEN teacher, a Learning Support Leader, a SENCO, an Assistant Head and a Headteacher. Sarah helps everyone else in school be their best. In her spare time she can usually be found with a nose in a book, surrounded by her cats.

Veronica Duggan – Head of School

Veronica completed a degree in Philosophy with Education, and then undertook a PGCE in Secondary Religious Education before working at mainstream schools in Tameside, Glossop and Stockport. She has worked at Reddish Hall for more than half a decade, starting as our learning supporting teacher, moving into the role of assistant SENCO, SENCO, Assistant Head for SEND and then Head of School. She is a qualified SENCO amongst other things and also holds the Proficiency in Assessment for Access Arrangements (PAPPA), which enables the school to ensure that pupils receive the right level support for them in formal qualifications. In her free time Veronica likes to bake, which the staff team are VERY appreciative of, and to go on holiday as much as possible!

Colette Nuttall – Assistant Head Teacher (Personal Development/Health and Safety)

Key Stage 2/3

Colette studied a degree in Film & Media before working as a mainstream TA. After completing a PGCE in English and Special Educational Needs, she taught for 18 years in mainstream secondary settings in Manchester. During this time, she undertook roles as Head of Media Studies and Head of English faculty, before moving to lead the SEN department of a large mainstream secondary school as an Assistant SENCo and Head of Additional Needs. Colette joined Reddish Hall in April 2023 as Assistant SENCo and has since become Assistant Head for Key Stage 3, Personal Development and Health & Safety. In her spare time, Colette enjoys watching films and spending time with her family usually being beaten at board games!

Kathryn Smith – Assistant Headteacher (Behaviour & Attitudes)

Key Stage 2/3

Kathryn completed a degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status before a lengthy and varied service at a mainstream primary school in Cheshire East. During her time there, she taught across the full primary age range, held responsibility for curriculum co-ordination in Science, was the school’s Designated Mental Health Lead and fulfilled Designated Safeguarding Lead and Special Educational Needs co-ordinator roles as part of her Assistant Headship role. She moved to Reddish Hall School in January 2023 to further pursue her passion for child-centred practice in education. Outside of school, Kathryn will often be found reading, gardening or planning a trip – usually to Italy!

Cheryl Hunt – Assistant Headteacher (Quality of Education)

Key Stage 4/5

Cheryl graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University before gaining her PGDE in Education in 2011. She has worked in education ever since. Initially teaching and co-ordinating programmes for young people with additional needs aged 14-19 in Trafford, she gained her passion in supporting children and young people with finding their voice. Following this she worked as Curriculum Lead and Exams Officer for an independent school as part of Manchester Secondary PRU for seven years. She started as Assistant Head at Reddish Hall School in 2022 where she continues her quest – to help children and young people have positive and successful educational experiences. When Cheryl isn’t geeking out about qualifications, she is either up a hill or admiring a food menu.

Cath Ward – Operations Manager

Cath Ward has worked at Reddish Hall school almost since it opened.  She’s supported a wide variety of young people in a variety of mainstream settings, with a couple of Reddish Hall staff being past pupils she worked with!  Cath has been a classroom TA, head of key stage, senior TA and now leads on the operational running of the school as part of the senior leadership team.  Outside of school she follows the misfortunes of Manchester City, enjoys holidays abroad with lots of sunshine and being with her dog, Queenie.

Jane Neale – Designated Safeguarding Lead

I have worked at Reddish Hall School for 7 years. In that time, I started in the main office as administrator, then I became the Family Liaison officer and I am now in my current role as Designated Safeguarding Lead. In these seven years, I have got to know parents and students very well and built-up good relationships. I have two dogs and three cats, which keep me busy. I love playing darts and I am the captain of a ladies darts team. I also love to watch darts on TV and at live venues.

Chloe Unwin – Senior Admin

Chloe joined the Reddish Hall School team two and a half years ago. She is the school’s senior administrator, currently undertaking a SBM qualification to expand on her skills and knowledge. Chloe spends a lot of time communicating with parents and building some amazing relationships with both students and parents. She has two young children of her own. You will most likely find Chloe trying out new restaurants and her weekends involve lots of football and out of school activities with her kids.

Emily Aris – Head of Careers and Destinations

Emily is an avid reader, home cook and chatter. She studied English Literature at university before specialising in supporting young people back into mainstream education from alternative provisions. After an excursion as a learning coordinator in international schools in the Netherlands, she moved to Manchester to work in the voluntary sector where she specialised in running inclusive youth work provisions. Emily is passionate about community inclusion and tackling barriers to access for young Mancunians. As Head of Career and Destination’s, she looks to raise aspirations of students whilst building awareness of the diverse skill set that young people with additional needs have to offer the world of work.

Connor Frater – Head of Science

Connor undertook a degree in Architecture before starting work in education. After studying for a PGCE in Secondary science teaching, he has taught in mainstream schools across the Greater Manchester area. He started teaching science at Reddish Hall in 2021 and became Head of Science in 2023. In his spare time, Connor will usually be found in the gym, coaching football or training freestyle kickboxing.

Aimee Sargent – Head of English and Lead Teacher

Aimee Sargent pursued a degree in Crime, Deviance, and Society with English Literature with the initial goal of becoming a probation worker. After the birth of her first child, she shifted her career focus and became a teaching assistant at Stockport College, where she discovered her passion for teaching, particularly in Alternative Provisions. She earned her PGCE and QTS while working in the Foundation Learner Inclusion Department at Stockport College for seven years.

In 2014, Aimee transitioned to a PRU, where she served as PM Group and Functional Skills Lead. She joined RHS as Head of English in 2022 and has since taken on the role of Outstanding Lead Teacher. Aimee is also working towards her NPQSL, having completed her NPQLL. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her three children, watching live music, and reading.

Chantelle Morgan – Lead Nurture Teacher

Chantelle completed her degree in English and Sociology and studied for her PGCE in primary and middle school education. She then earned a MA in Education and taught in mainstream primary settings for eight years in America and England. After a period of working with struggling learners as a literacy intervention teacher, she undertook Reading Recovery training and worked as a reading specialist. Chantelle moved to Reddish Hall School as Nurture Lead Teacher in September 2023. Besides ferrying her children around to various football commitments, she loves to read, listen to podcasts and spend time with family and friends.

Kylie Shaw – Operations Supervisor

Kylie has been at the school since its opening, transitioning from adults’ services to working with young people. She began as a one-on-one classroom assistant with a student, then moved to a classroom teaching assistant role, and later took on the position of pastoral lead, supporting students in their pastoral needs. Subsequently, Kylie transitioned to the careers department focusing on personal development before moving to the operations side, which she particularly enjoys. In her spare time, she likes spending time with her children and watching series.

Josh Baldwin – Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator

Josh is the Key Stage 3 Coordinator at Reddish Hall. He teaches both Maths and English, focusing on providing a structured and supportive learning environment. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he oversees the transition of new pupils into the school, ensuring they integrate smoothly and feel supported. With 12 years of experience working with young people with additional needs and a background in arts-based youth work, Josh’s practice is founded in experiential and exploratory learning. He is dedicated to fostering personal and academic growth, helping each student achieve their potential. In his spare time, Josh enjoys running, hiking up mountains, playing the guitar, and making videos eating food in exciting places.

Rachel Bailey – Key Stage 4 Co-ordinator

Rachel worked in adult services for ten years before joining Reddish Hall School. She started Reddish Hall in 2018 as a classroom assistant, working with different year groups across both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. She advanced to Senior Teaching Assistant and more recently, gained the role of Key Stage 4 Coordinator, which she is enjoying each day. In her spare time, Rachel likes to spend time with her three children and family.

Beth Keenan-Chapman – Pastoral Lead

Melissa Dolan – Assistant SENCO and Head of Art

Mel is a creator, avid reader, and enthusiastic traveller. With a degree in Visual Art, she has gathered a treasure trove of experiences from working in various UK galleries and companies. Alongside, Mel has spent six years specializing in alternative education across Manchester schools.
For the past three years, Mel has been a member of the Reddish Hall School family, passionately enriching students’ lives with creative adventures. As our Art Lead, she believes in the magic of creativity and sprinkles arts and culture into every corner of our curriculum. Her mission is to inspire and nurture the unique creative spark in each student, creating a vibrant and inclusive environment.

Mark Hodgson – Assistant SENCO / SEND Assistant

External Communications Lead

Mark joined Reddish Hall School in 2019 as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), where he supported students both in the classroom and through tailored interventions. Throughout his tenure at RHS, he has taught classes across Key Stages 2 and 3, demonstrating a versatile and adaptable teaching approach. Mark is now based at the Hive as an assistant SENCo / SEND Assistant. 

Prior to his time at Reddish Hall, Mark gained valuable experience in mainstream primary education across three different boroughs as a Primary teacher. In addition, he brings fifteen years of expertise in IT support as a software and network technician. Outside of school, Mark enjoys spending quality time with his family exploring the countryside and various sports activities.

Claire Quigley – Wellbeing coordinator / Dramatherapist

Claire Quigley is a Dramatherapist and Neuro-Dramatic Play (NDP) Practitioner. Since qualifying in 2019 she has worked with a variety of clients but specialises in young people with trauma and attachment difficulties.

Claire uses the creative arts in her clinical sessions to help support regulation, connection and self expression, over the traditional ‘talk therapy’ approaches; it offers an alternative way to explore and communicate our life experiences.

Claire is also involved with Edge Hill and Salford University in their ongoing research called Arts For The Blues (www.artsfortheblues.com) to bring creative therapies into the mainstream within IAPT (improving access to psychological therapies), across all ages, to support mental health and wellbeing. She is currently supporting the training of Manchester CAMHS practitioners to integrate the AFTB model into their work.