ADL Headteacher
Stephen Phipps
I am an experienced senior leader with 30 years’ experience in mainstream, online and international schools. I am passionate about learning and teaching both in a physical setting and online, with strategic experience in leading: Alternative Provision, SEND, Safeguarding, Staff Professional Development, Learning and Teaching, Quality Assurance, and Behaviour and Attendance. I am excited to be leading ADL as we expand our curriculum and services to young people.
Outside of school I enjoy most sports, but my main interest has been football which I still try to play! As a history teacher I also love visiting places of historical significance and reading books on the world wars. I enjoy my time with my family having worked away for three years and relax every evening by walking the dog.
ADL Designated Safeguarding Lead/Assistant Headteacher/Head of English
Alison Johnson
I am one of the Assistant Headteachers at ADL, as well as being an English teacher. I started teaching way back in 1999 when I was a college lecturer. I also spent many years in mainstream schools teaching English before coming to ADL in 2019. I love English but I also love the ancient world and that will sometimes pop up in you Assemblies and Enrichment sessions.
I have two sons, and a dog called Misty, who may also pop up from time to time. I am usually quite a calm and sensible person and love reading, music and long walks, but I also love to go fast with the wind in my hair, so my favourite ways to travel are by jet boat or on top of bi-plane- even though I have only managed to do this once.
ADL Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead/Assistant Headteacher/Head of Science/ Head of Pastoral
Clare Shaw
I have taught Science in secondary schools since 2005 and also worked as a private tutor with all ages and abilities from 2016, before joining ADL right back when it started in 2019. I have nearly 20 years’ experience of leadership, including pastoral leadership and overseeing the use of pupil premium funding to accelerate the progress of the most vulnerable.
Outside of science I am a huge fan of music and try to pick up my guitar as often as I can. If I can tie in music to science in any way, then I will. I don’t have a particular type of music I like, I prefer to discover a new artist or genre and let it take me on a journey. I also have a passion for history, my favourite period in history being the Tudors. I love to learn how we have changed over time – if I wasn’t a science teacher, I would be a history teacher. I am also a fan of Harry Potter (team Hufflepuff!), learning new languages, and am rather partial to an Xbox game or two!
ADL Head of Maths
Sarah Emson
I love teaching Maths and have done for 24 years. Specific learning difficulties and barriers to learning in Maths are of special interest to me. I have enjoyed working in a special school and for a medical education team, for students who couldn’t come into mainstream school. I have worked as subject leader and lead practitioner for Maths in four varying size schools. I have also worked as a specialist leader in education (SLE) for a teaching school hub. I am a ‘Teaching for Mastery’ specialist and an NCETM accredited professional development lead. I am an Initial teacher training and early career teacher subject mentor both in schools and for a PGCE programme.
As educators, our job is simply to provide joy in our lessons, show students that they are in control and ultimately start them on a road to self-sustainability. It is vital that teachers teach their students the subject – not the subject to the students. We need to engage with our learners and understand their needs. I am not sure I always get this right, but I will keep trying!
I love letter boxes and all things postal, travelling, exploring and picnicking on tiny islands. I used to live in the South Atlantic and once spent a couple of nights on Saunders Island in the Falklands with a colony of gentoo penguins and some albatrosses for company!
ADL Teacher of Maths
Mark Coles
While still fairly new to teaching (I qualified in 2018 with a 1st), I have spent the last 2 years teaching some fantastic students with complex needs from age 8 to age 16, but mainly with those in upper KS2 and KS3. Fact: I am also a fully qualified mechanic (with everything from lorries down to motorbikes).
I love to ride bikes, however they come, although mostly mountain biking. I love to cook, and eat, eating is the best part! My main hobby is racing hovercraft, and I was (a long time ago) the Formula Junior World Champion (that’s for 11-16 year olds). My hovercraft uses a 500cc snowmobile/microlight engine and can reach speeds of up to 40mph. It also has no seatbelt and no brakes! A couple of the best parts about it are that it feels like you drift around every corner and when you transition from water to land you can get some serious air! That’s right, it goes on land and water!
ADL Teacher of Maths
Clare-Marie Nesbitt
I have previously taught Maths in various secondary schools which have been Outstanding across all areas. I have experience in supporting SEN students and those who find Maths a challenge. During my time teaching both Maths and Science in several SEMH schools, I have mentored NQT’s and encouraged them to become the best teachers possible.
I am passionate about stretching individual abilities, improving pupil progress by teaching students to appreciate Maths for themselves. I believe that every child should be given equal access to education regardless of any barriers and mental health issues. The key is how delivery is adapted to meet individual needs, to ensure they realise their full potential. The learning setting should be a fun, exciting, and a safe environment for both the pupils and staff, where mutual respect is present. I believe that mistakes should be embraced, as they are the stepping stones to success.
In my personal life I love to travel. In 1992, I watched a live shuttle launch from the roof, at NASA Cape Canaveral, Florida, where we could hear the astronauts, and the count down. In 2014, I fell down the stairs outside St Paul’s Basilica. The Pope’s doctor and ambulance came and took me into the Vatican City grounds as a short cut to Rome’s hospital. I recently got married, and on our honeymoon, we were lucky to be upgraded to the Royal Suite!
ADL Teacher of Maths
Melissa Griffiths
I have taught Maths in both SEN and mainstream secondary schools. I like exploring maths in different ways and really enjoy seeing when people have that “win” moment and start to understand something they previously found difficult. I have previously worked as whole school numeracy lead and as part of this I like seeing where maths fits into other subjects and everyday life.
I aim to help people see mistakes as part of the learning process and want to help people build resilience to help them reach their full potential. I also believe that maths is fun! I like trying to find the joy in learning a new topic or area and help pupils to explore this also.
Outside of teaching I enjoy spending time with my son and two dogs. I like getting out on walks in the countryside and my springer spaniel is particularly fond of water, so most of our walks involve a river, lake or the seaside. I also enjoy playing netball and drinking coffee with friends.
ADL Teacher of English
Gilly Morrow
I officially qualified as a teacher in 2011, but my time in education began quite some time before that and my roles have been varied along the way: I have been a swimming teacher, teacher of English as a second language and a teaching assistant, amongst other things! Since qualifying, I have worked in mainstream schools, but I also spent many years working in a specialist school, teaching and supporting students with SEMH needs; I have worked for ADL since April 2021.
I love the nurturing side of education and truly believe that those who the world might view as “challenging” or “naughty” (what a horrible word!) just need some extra love and help to find the right path, and support, to overcome the extra barriers that life has put in their way.
I am a qualified yoga instructor, and I lived in Japan for a while and can speak some Japanese. I like making things, including costumes for drama productions, jewellery for special occasions and crocheted blankets and hats! productions, jewellery for special occasions and crocheted blankets and hats!
ADL Teacher of English
Morgan Melhuish
I am an experienced and skilled educator having taught English for over 15 years, I taught English in mainstream schools in different authorities around England and even enjoyed a brief spell in Azerbaijan!
I am passionate about supporting students beyond their subject, organising events for Empathy Day and World Mental Health Day.
I was once the county champion of the Chatterbox competition. I enjoy sea swimming. I have an encyclopaedic knowledge of Dr Who – test me!
ADL Teacher of English
Victoria Jackson
After starting teaching in mainstream, I moved over to Special Education over 9 years ago. My personal philosophy of education has always been about giving students a positive educational experience and understanding that every student, given the right support, can learn and should feel empowered to do so. Learning is a natural state, and we should make it fun and enjoyable for all!
I live in Snowdonia National Park in Wales, and I have a retired Therapy dog, Buckley, who used to work alongside me in a couple of previous roles and I love to go on meditative solo hikes in the mountains to recharge my brain!
ADL Teacher of Science
Marianne Ogunoshun
I have a great love of teaching Science – particularly Chemistry. I enjoy bringing science to life with young pupils and relating it to real life. After several years of teaching in bricks and mortar school, I embarked on the journey of online teaching to show to students that science can still be fun even in a virtual classroom.
I am a lover of anything bright, and as such you will see me in my bright coloured berets and jewellery.
Outside of teaching, I love walking and looking for eyeshadows and beauty products in TK Maxx for hours!!
ADL Teacher of Science
Teacher of Science
I have been teaching science for over 10 years. Before teaching I worked in various scientific fields including Forensics and Climate Research.
In the classroom I love questions. I like to ask questions (obviously I’m the teacher) but I also like it when students bring questions and ideas for us to explore.
Outside of teaching I like to explore our local forest and find perfect places for picnics.
ADL Teacher of Humanities and History
Louise Bentham
I qualified as a teacher in 2002 and taught in mainstream schools before joining ADL in 2025. My motivation for teaching has always been the desire to develop a curiosity in students about history and the events that have shaped the world around us. After all, how can we understand what is happening today if we don’t know what has come before! I am passionate about my subject and hope that this enthusiasm is infectious in the classroom. Please don’t ask what my favourite period of history is – I couldn’t possibly choose!
Outside of teaching I am a mum to two teenagers and if that wasn’t enough to contend with, I also have two dogs – a labrador and springer spaniel. I love nothing more than a long walk with the dogs (and sometimes the teenagers) and believe that being outdoors is good for the soul. When not walking or in the garden I can be found curled up with a book; I love reading and if I can combine this with a bit of history then I am in heaven!
ADL School Office
The Engine Room of ADL
Hello, from the part of ADL that you don’t get to see. This is the office, busy beavering away in the background for our wonderful clients/parents/carers/colleagues and of course, our super students.
The office is where it all begins for you to become part of the ADL family, so welcome aboard, enjoy the journey. The office is here if you need anything and can point you in the right direction if you go off course a little. We look forward to hearing from you.