Laura Horne – Executive Headteacher
As the Executive Headteacher, Laura oversees both Oak Tree School and Redmoor in Lanivet. Working in a variety of education settings since 2006, Laura started with her BA in Primary Education in Birmingham where she taught at an inner-city primary school for three years. Following her move to Cornwall in 2008, Laura continued her education journey working as a Key Skills Lecturer at Truro College before moving to the Alternative Provision Academies (APA) in Cornwall as the Acting Teacher in Charge at the New Horizons Nurture Group for a year and a half.
Laura then completed her Master’s in Education and her NPQH whilst working at Oak Tree School, where she was Deputy Head for 6 years. Laura’s vast experience sees her very well placed to lead the teams at Oak Tree School and Redmoor School
Laura is wholly committed to ensuring that every student that enters Oak Tree School experiences the opportunities and success they deserve, in both their educational achievements and their social and emotional development.
Luke Bolsin – Head of School (Darley) & CPI Trainer
Luke qualified as a Geography teacher in 2005 and worked as a secondary mainstream pastoral head of year for 10 years. In these roles he has dealt with a range of pupils from a variety of backgrounds and with a wide range of needs. Luke qualified as a SENCo in 2016 and has a passion for working with pupils with social and emotional mental health issues and staff training in these areas.
Luke has a firm belief in the positive and therapeutic effects of the great outdoors and their impact as part of a holistic personalised education. Prior to teaching he spent a number of years working in and running water sports centres. He still regularly enjoys being in the beautiful waters around the Cornish coast. He is also a CBT practitioner and a trauma informed schools trainer. He also sits on our therapy team.
Edd Bissenden – Assistant Headteacher & Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Edd qualified as a Primary teacher in 2013 and has worked at different mainstream schools across the county. He joined the Oak Tree team in 2018 as a tutor, first in Polly Joke and as part of the outdoor Ed team then in Perranporth class. Edd is a big believer in providing opportunities and experiences to enrich students’ lives and help them see what the world can offer if you have goals. He believes positive personal development and self-esteem is the key to success. Outside of school Edd is a keen surfer and avid sports fan. Rugby is his main passion and he played for many years at clubs like Moseley in Birmingham and also for the Army Medical Services.
Michelle Pascoe – Head of School & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Michelle has worked at Oak Tree since it opened in 2014. Her role has changed significantly in this time, starting as an HLTA to developing the role of the Parent and Child Support Worker.
Michelle’s role is currently the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Therapy Coordinator. Michelle is the school’s therapist, offering counselling and play therapy. She is one of the key people on the school therapy team. She also has extensive knowledge of external agencies within our locality who can support our children and their families. Michelle line manages our nurture provision as well as our Family Support team.
Michelle has worked with children with social and emotional difficulties for sixteen years after working primarily with primary children she has enjoyed the move to mixed key stages here at Oak Tree School.
Jo Goldring- Business Manager
Jo joined our Senior Leadership team at the beginning of 2023 she first started with Outcomes First Group working with the children’s homes as an administration assistant and then joining Oak Tree School in September 2021. She loves being highly organised and ensuring procedures are communicated effectively. Jo has an enthusiastic approach to life and her role with a real passion for being helpful to staff and students ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Outside of Oak Tree, Jo spends a lot of time around the coast either in the sea (during the warmer months) or out walking. She finds it hard to sit still and is always looking for the next challenge in life and work.