Meet the Team
Ellern Mede Derby School’s highly qualified staff team provide SEN teaching and support of the highest standard, at a pace and level to suit students who are struggling with mainstream school, for whatever reason.
The teaching and support staff are committed to safeguarding the welfare of students. Teachers are able to focus individual attention on students and, given the smaller class sizes, offer greater support. We take a therapeutic approach, delivering education and excellent results for all our students. We recognise each student’s personal skills, aptitude and learning style. We build on these in order that they may return to their home school, or continue their education with us following their recovery, or with another establishment.
We are a dynamic educational team working together across multiple school sites. We work in partnership with the staff at Ellern Mede Services eating disorder hospitals to bring about real recovery in the lives of the students we serve.
Chris Johnson
Head of Site, Teacher of Humanities
Chris joined the Moorgate school in 2020 as a Geography and History teacher. He has a BA(Hons) in Human Geography and has been teaching in secondary schools for over nine years. Chris enjoys working with young people, and he appreciates how teaching humanities subjects gives him the opportunity to help students explore place and develop their understanding of relevant issues such as climate change, habitat loss and resource management.
Chris lives in Sheffield and likes to spend time with his family (including Bella the Border Collie). He tries to get outside as often as possible and enjoys walking, mountain biking and camping.
Emma Heeley
Teacher of English Literature and Language
Emma has been a teacher of English for 23 years after gaining an English and Literature degree BA (Hons) from Liverpool University. She has taught across the age and ability range in a variety of school settings. Emma has had numerous leadership roles during her career and worked alongside Huddersfield University as a mentor to ITT and PGCE students.
Emma joined Ellern Mede in October 2019. Emma has always been passionate about working with pupils with complex behavioural difficulties; supporting them to develop their confidence, promote positive attitudes towards education and to ensure that they achieve their full potential. Emma has also gained much experience of working with pupils with EAL, SEMH issues, PDA and Autism.
Gill Golding
Learning Support, HLTA and Admin Assistant
Gill joined Ellern Mede, Moorgate in September 2020 as a Learning Support and Admin Assistant. After spending 23 years working for the NHS in various specialities as a Registered General Nurse and reaching the position of Deputy Sister, Gill took a career move into Education. Gill worked in a mainstream secondary school for 15 years, firstly as EAL support, then as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant within the English department and finally as the Learning Resource Centre Manager. Gill works alongside the teaching staff to offer support in terms of day-to-day administration and as learning support. Gill specialises in working with pupils requiring intervention at KS3 and KS4.
Lucy McCollum
Teacher of Science
Lucy has recently joined us at Ellern Mede Moorgate as our Science Teacher. She has a degree in nutrition and is an Associate Registered Nutritionist as well as a qualified teacher. Her main subject is Biology, but she teaches general science as well. She is passionate about teaching students the scientific process and how to interpret scientific evidence. Lucy believes that this understanding helps to empower students to be successful and make sensible choices throughout their lives.
Outside of Science, Lucy is interested in social history, reading and spending time with her family.
Ella Dummackin
Inclusion Assistant
Ella has recently joined our team as Inclusion Assistant, transitioning from working on our hospital ward as a Senior Healthcare assistant since 2020. Ella has over 8 years experience of working in the care sector and for the NHS, before taking a career move to education last year. Ella works alongside our teaching team to offer support with engagement and learning support, as well as working alongside our Inclusion Lead with assisting in the application and formulation of EHC plans for our students. Ella has experience of working with children and young people of all ages, specialising in those with an Autism diagnosis whom display challenging behaviours requiring intervention. Ella believes that all children and young people, regardless of diagnosis, should be empowered, have a right to thrive, accomplish and achieve to the best of their abilities, and should be supported to have a positive education experience.
Outside of work, Ella enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, is passionate about music, and looks forward to going on holidays in her free time.
Have a question?
Latest Articles
We never stop talking about careers…
10 Mar 2023
The chicks are in…
25 Jan 2023
© 2023 Ellern Mede School | T&Cs | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy