Who’s Who

Laura Turner

Headteacher

Laura began her teaching career as a teacher of PE in Secondary Mainstream education. Gaining a Master’s Degree in Special Educational Needs she began working across alternative provisions. Laura has held many roles across her career, from teacher through to Deputy Head of School/SENDCo. She has also worked within the SEMH sector as a Deputy Head and Interim Head of School and DSL, driving improvement in behaviour and attitudes, and quality of teaching and learning.
Laura believes the SLT team are driven to ensure the quality of education is personalised and meets the needs of all pupils to ensure effective progress is paramount.
Laura holds the national professional qualification in headship (NPQH).

Matthew Page

Deputy Headteacher

Matthew has worked as an Assistant Headteacher and Teacher in multiple special schools. He also ran his own sports coaching company and worked in professional football.
At Woodlands Academy, Matthew is responsible for curriculum, assessment, and quality assurance. Matthew holds the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT).

Natasha Cornell

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Natasha has worked in education for over 20 years, previously working at a predominantly SEMH specialist setting, together with other additional needs such as ASD, ADHD and pupils who have suffered past emotional traumas. She also worked closely with pupils in care and managed transitions for new pupils.
Natasha prides myself on being very down to earth and treating pupils as individuals which includes letting them get to know her at their own pace and building a strong relationship based on this.
Natasha wants to ensure the school understands how important pupil voices are together with parents and carers views.

Sherilyn Pruhs-Borrell

Acting DSL and SENDCo

Sherri has been teaching for over 23 years. She has held various roles over her career including Designated Teacher for Looked After Children (LAC), SEND, Safeguarding, SLT and Deputy Head.
Sherri has achieved the National SENDCo Award and has a Diploma in SEND along with NPQH, NPQSL and NPQBC.
She works closely with children with ASD, ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and thoroughly believes that the child should be at the centre of everything we do in school.