Our Class Teaching Team
Martine
Class Teacher
Martine joined Our Place Group as a support worker in 2019 and has worked as a SEND teacher at Our Place Schools for over 4 years. During this time Martine has taught a variety of students, establishing safe and secure environments to promote good learning, enhancing their independence skills and functional communication. Prior to this she spent 10 years teaching over seas in Kuwait as a primary teacher, specialising in KS1. On returning to the UK, Martine then spent the following 12 years at Powick (during which time the school achieved 2 outstanding OFSTED inspections). During this time Martine had the responsibility of preparing her learners for the National Year One phonics assessment and was proud at promoting a love of reading in her students
Sean
Class Teacher
With nine years of enriching experience in education, Sean brings a vibrant and dynamic presence to the classroom. Sean creates an engaging and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and motivated. Sean’s passion for sports and active lifestyle not only keeps Sean energised but also enables him to encourage teamwork, discipline, and perseverance among his students. The key aim for Sean is to make learning enjoyable and memorable, fostering a positive atmosphere that promotes both academic and personal growth.
Mark M
Class Teacher
Mark has extensive experience working with children with SEND and their families. Over the past eight years, whilst at Our Place School, Mark has dedicated his career to supporting SEN students and fostering inclusive learning environments. Mark recently completed my degree in Early Childhood with a specialisation in SEN, which has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to serve the students at school better. In addition to his teaching role, Mark is the school’s Careers Lead, where he guides and supports students in their career planning and development where appropriate.
Sam D
Class Teacher
Originally from South Africa, Sam is a passionate and caring educator who brings a unique blend of cultural richness, a wealth of teaching experience and teaching expertise to the classroom. She brings a vibrant and bubbly energy to the classroom, creating an environment where learning is both fun and meaningful. Known for her high expectations and commitment to excellence, she believes that every student can achieve great things with the right support.
In her classroom, Sam combines clear rules and boundaries with a nurturing approach, ensuring that students feel safe and respected while being challenged to reach their full potential. Her sense of humor and engaging teaching style make learning an enjoyable experience, and she is dedicated to fostering both academic success and personal growth in her students.
Her dedication to providing an outstanding teaching and learning experience is evident in the way she engages with her students, blending fun and creativity with a deep commitment to academic excellence. Sam is excited to continue inspiring and guiding her students, helping them grow both academically, socially and emotionally.
Courtney
Class Teacher
Courtney completed her university degree in Carmarthen Trinty Saint David where she undertook a degree in Primary Education studies. In 2018, Courtney completed her PGCE in Primary Education in Swansea Trinty Saint David. She then started her teaching career in Kent, England where she was a Reception teacher before moving to Worcester and joined Our place group as a support worker during COVID in 2020. Courtney became a teacher at Our place Schools in 2022 and has worked with mainly our Post-16 students getting them prepared for adulthood and getting them to enjoy learning. Courtney has become a Thrive practitioner at our place in 2024 whilst also going back to university to complete a Master’s degree in National SENCo in 2024. Courtney has a passion for teaching and working with SEN children which is shown by her wanting to increase her knowledge and develop herself in these courses.
Lexi
Class Teacher
Lexi achieved a First-Class Honours degree in Performing Arts at Cardiff University, and she completed a PGCE in Secondary Education at the University of Exeter. Lexi started her teaching career 12 years ago, working in a range of settings, and she her specialist teaching journey in January 2017 at a trauma-informed, residential specialist school in Stroud. In her role as a teacher at Our Place School, Lexi strives to engage her students in positive learning and life experiences, and to help them to achieve their full potential socially, emotionally, personally and academically.
Katie
Class Teacher
Katie joined Our Place School in January 2024 having previously worked in an inner-city Birmingham school for five and half years teaching across a range of year groups. Katie is able to bring her extensive and diverse teaching knowledge to Our Place School and promote high expectations of learning and progress to support all those to achieve their full potential, in both academic and personal social skills too.
Sumaya
Class Teacher
As a teacher, Sumaya is committed to creating a fun, safe, and inclusive learning environment for all students. Sumaya believes that every child has the potential to succeed and that as educators, it’s our job to help them reach their full potential. Sumaya’s specialty is working with pupils who have Autism and she believes that education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire.
Isobel
Class Teacher
Izzy attended Oxford Brookes University, where she studied Primary Education. After graduating, Izzy embarked on her teaching career in a mainstream primary school, where she worked for nine years. In addition to her full-time role, Izzy also worked on weekends and during school holidays in a Special Educational Needs setting. This experience deepened her understanding of the diverse needs of students and strengthened her belief in the importance of tailored educational approaches.
Izzy’s dual experience in mainstream and SEN settings has made her a well-rounded educator, equipped with the knowledge and empathy to meet the needs of all her students. Her dedication to education and her passion for helping children of all abilities thrive continue to drive her forward in her career.
Asher
Class Teacher
Asher achieved a degree in Sociology & Anthropology at Goldsmiths University, London. Since then, he went on to complete a PGCE in Secondary Geography at Middlesex University before coming to Our Place as a teaching assistant last year. He has also had prior experience tutoring children Maths and English for children ages 6 to 18 in which he primarily worked with children with ADHD. As a teacher, Asher places great importance on meeting children where they are currently at to build up their confidence so that they can realise and reach their full potential.
Jessica
PPA Teacher
Jessica achieved a First-Class Honours Degree in Primary Teaching at the University of Worcester in 2018 after spending a few years working in early years and primary based educational settings in Devon and Worcestershire. After University, Jessica has gone on to teach in a variety of settings across Worcestershire, ranging from mainstream primary schools to private educational settings. Jessica then began specialising in Special Needs education when working in Early Years settings, where she qualified as an Early Years SENCO. She then went on to become a support worker at Our Place, before going on to teach at Our Place school as a class teacher and PPA teacher. Jessica has a passion for utilising cross-curricular learning throughout her teaching, through the use of sports, performing arts and cooking to support students in developing their independence, confidence and life-skills alongside academic success.