Meet the Team
Henri Monier-Williams
Henri has been involved in youth work within the UK and overseas for the last 30 years. Henri has achieved Equine Assisted Qualified status and undertaken extensive training in trauma and attachment, recently completing Dyadic Developmental Practice, Psychotherapy. Henri is the Centre Lead and is in charge of the day to day running of the centre. She is the Centre’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and lead on SEN. When the opportunity can be found you will find Henri enjoying time with her dogs and horses.
Marcus Monier-Williams - Head of Logistics
After 34 years in the army, interspersed with time spent as a defence consultant and as Director of Rugby and Activities at a local Public School, Marcus officially joins the team as our lead for logistic support, including Health and Safety, Risk Assessments, IT Manager, Fire Officer and maintenance lead. Marcus is married to Henri and has been part of the foundations of Luccombe Hub’s Development. Marcus is a Level 3 NVQ Assessor and is currently studying for a Level 3 qualification in Education and Training. Outside work, when time allows, he has a passionate interest in animals, rugby and refereeing, and has officiated at every level of services rugby over the last 6 years.
Lucie Wharton – Educational Manager/Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Lucie joins the team with almost 20 years, experience working as a deputy head within a specialist residential school. She leads the educational team in the writing and implementation of curriculums, writing learners support packages and assessing our primary level learners. She has responsibility for maintaining schemes of work in Maths & English Primary and the delivery of Functional Skills. Outside of centre life, Lucie likes countryside walks with her family and recently honing her upholstery skills.
Minka Oak-Rhind - Outreach worker facilitator and DDSL
Minka has re-joined Luccombe after a spell in Devon, honing her skills supporting learners to re-engage in life and education. Minka is one of the original facilitators at Luccombe and returns to support us in the same capacity and as a Safeguarding Lead.
Rachael Brewer – Teacher & Lead on Art
Rachael has been a teacher of art for almost 25 years, she holds a PGCE in Special Educational Needs and after her training started working within specialist setting. She leads our Art sessions delivery ASDAN, GCSE and Expressive Awards and creating bespoke curriculum for learners where required. Rachael supports the lead on music with the development of curriculum and schemes of work. Rachael is joined by her furry friend Samson to help deliver her lessons.
Lydia Bryant – Thrive Practitioner and Primary PSHE Lead
Lydia is our Thrive Practitioner, having worked for a number of years within the education sector. Thrive is a dynamic, developmental and trauma-sensitive approach to meeting the emotional and social needs of children. It explores the role of arts, play and creativity in facilitating healthy development. Lydia leads our Primary PSHE/SMSC curriculum utilising schemes of work from Jigsaw. Lydia is a keen runner and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Rob Lee - Lead on Outdoor Education
Rob is our Outdoor Education lead, with years of experience running Outdoor Education for SEN and additional needs he uses the outdoors to promote learning, engagement, and above all the mental well-being of the learners. As well as outdoor pursuits he uses his experience of working in photography and his love of music and history to help learners discover hidden interests and ways to create a deeper connection with the outdoors.
Katie Cutts – Facilitator - Life Skills, ASDAN Foodwise & PSHE/SMSC
Katie has worked with children for many years and trained in Early Years & special Educational Needs, Katie works alongside Ness to create and deliver our Life Skills, ASDAN Foodwise and PSHE/SMSC curriculum. They run the kitchen area and you can find her assisting our learners to create some delicious foody treats.
Jay Hopkins - Primary Teacher, Phonics Lead
Jay Hopkins joins the Luccombe team as an English and Maths teacher trained in Phonics and Fresh Start. With over 20 years’ experience of working with children and teenagers, he is passionate about learning - especially reading and number. When not at Luccombe, he enjoys walking, art, watching football and seeing live comedy and music and can often be found hanging out with one of his three cats!
Debbie Tibbey - Teacher & SMCS Lead
Debbie is a qualified teacher who has spent over 25 years teaching in primary schools, and the past 5 years as a mentor and tutor for young people in Alternative Provision. She has a degree in drama and art, and enjoys music and collecting stories from many cultures and countries. Gardening, baking cakes and being with her family and cat take up most of her spare time.
Tracy Gear - Business Administrator
Tracy has joined the team as Business Administrator, she has many years of experience in administration, having worked previously for Dorset Council and the NHS. In her spare time, she loves to bake, spending time with her family and walking her dogs in the beautiful Dorset Countryside.
Kath Oxlee – Director of Finance
Kath uses her accountancy and charity background to take charge of all things finance and reporting on learners from registrations to EHCP reviews, CIN/CP’s, LAC and TAF/TAC. Outside of Centre life, Kath is a talented artist and maker.
Hazel Lappin – Management Support and Facilitator
Hazel has worked in both mainstream primary schools as a HLTA and alternative therapeutic providers for almost 20 years. Hazel is our Lead on the community allotment project and teaches our ASDAN gardening course. She maintains our relationship working with The Forestry Commission and Dorset Coppicing Group, to offer our learners an alternative education and practical experience in the outdoor environment. In her spare time, Hazel is a member of a carriage racing team and fundraises for the Blind Veterans Society.
Jo Clayton – Secondary Lead 2/Teacher
Jo has recently joined the team having spent many years teaching in mainstream schools and recently working with Dorset Council within their assessment and support department for adults with learning disabilities. Holding a degree in Zoology and
Simon Oxlee – Teacher/Lead on Humanities
Simon a qualified primary school teacher leads our humanities, following national curriculum focused projects and delivering ASDAN History course. A keen historian, you may just see a Saxon or WW1 Soldier walking around the Centre! In his spare time, Simon is an accomplished singer/songwriter having released an album or two.
Martin Lynch – Facilitator – Music
Martin joins the team having worked for many years with those with diverse learning needs. Martin a keen musician, playing several different instruments, understands the power that music can play in education. He is the lead facilitator in music and assists with the development of our music curriculum. Martin aids in the day to day running of the Centre as is one of our Fire Marshalls. In his spare time, Music still plays a huge part and he’s keen to attend gigs.
Denise Bones – Farm Support
Denise another or our horsewoman, Denise works at the Therapeutic Farm to help run and maintain the standards of animal care and welfare at the site.
Leanne McMillan - Thrive Practitioner & PSHE
Leanne McMillan has worked within the education sector for the last 11 years and for Dorset County Council as an assessment support coordinator. She has worked in various settings including residential schools, youth mentoring roles in the community, respite support and assisting people to manage at home independently. Art is a particular interest of hers especially water colour, graphite, and acrylic. She has always loved animals and regularly competed in many competitions with her own horses particularly show jumping, although never won the pony club egg and spoon race!
Sarah Reynolds - Outdoor Education & Forest School
Sarah Reynolds has worked with young people for many years specialising in running outdoor education. She is a Level 3 Forest School leader and is currently undergoing training to become a counsellor. In her free time, she loves everything outdoors especially cycling and long hikes.
Amy Armitage - Facilitator
After completing my degree in early childhood studies, I was keen to explore SEN. I have now spent over a decade working in a specialist residential school in both care & education. When not at work I enjoy playing netball and paddle boarding with my family.
Joe James - DT & Therapeutic
Joe has been working in education for over 6 years with the majority of that time spent within a SEN provision. Previous to working in education Joe was a prop maker in the Animation and Film industries. He uses his experience from this industry along with his keen interest in design and manufacturing to assist students with getting inspired, finding a creative passion and learning to hone new skills. Out of work, Joe enjoys all things creative as well as spending time outdoors; rock climbing, hiking and kayaking.
Leeza Willcox - Teacher
Leeza has been working in KS3/4/5 SEN education for almost 20 years and has also been a mentor in an alternative provision. She is a maths specialist and joins our English and maths teaching team. She has an Earth Science degree and is a keen explorer and enjoys researching innovated ways to engage learners with maths and geography. While she is not teaching at Luccombe she loves to travel and spend time with her dog.
Ruth Dal Din - Teacher - Maths, English & Biology
Ruth has recently joined us as our Lead on GCSE Maths, English & Biology and assists the educational team with delivering and planning curriculum schemes of work. Ruth has been a SEN Teacher for 30 years and brings a vast amount of experience and knowledge in supporting young learners with diverse abilities to access and thrive in education. An avid reader and recently a player of Bowles.
Ashley Crocker – Behaviour and Inclusion Manager/Educational Visits Co-Ordinator
With Ashley’s extensive experience working with children with behavioural and educational needs, trained in Level 4 BCAP Counselling and other behavioural & restorative practices, Ashley oversees behaviour and pastoral care for all the centre’s learners. Provides training to the team to ensure consistent approaches and assists with the development of our behavioural management approach. As a qualified Forest School Leader, Ashley leads our Forestry School sessions.
Vanessa Mansfield – Facilitator - Life Skills, ASDAN Foodwise & PSHE/SMSC
Ness has worked with children for over 30 years in various settings, including schools, youth clubs, residential and 1:1 within the community with young people with social and emotional behaviours. Ness along with Katie Lead our life skills project, delivering PSHE/SMSC curriculum. She facilitates delivering of ASDAN Foodwise course and assists with promoting British Culture through celebration days. Outside of work Ness is a Level 3 Foster Carer for Dorset and devotes her time to children in need and her family
Gaynor Somerville – EAQ Facilitator
Gaynor is our Equine Assisted Learning facilitator, a proficient horsewoman and teacher of horsemanship skills, having taught members of the armed forces. Gaynor takes our EAQ sessions. Gaynor is a qualified gym instructor also, so outside of the Centre you will find her teaching her spinning classes.
Rosie Closier - Farm Manager & DDSL
Rosie Closier has 9 years' experience working at a specialist residential school, supporting in both education and therapeutic equine departments and delivering a range of ASDAN courses. Rosie has joined Luccombe and taken over the role of Farm manager. 'I have grown up around animals, living on a farm for several years and have completed a level 3 equine management course. When not at the Hub I enjoy walking my dogs and sea swimming!!! '
Pippa Dooley - EAQ Facilitator
Pippa Dooley joined the Luccombe team with some prior animal and health care experience. Having finished her A’levels, she returned to her love of animals and now works as our farm assistant as well as facilitating. She values the therapeutic benefits that working with animals can bring and aspires to progress in this area further through her training as an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator.
Lorraine McCadden - Teacher
Lorraine has worked with secondary students out of mainstream school for 17 years now, and completed her Qualified Teacher Status within a Pupil Referral Unit. Her main subject is English, but has also headed up Life Skills and Careers. “I joined Luccombe Hub as I love the ethos- I have worked with many different students from varying backgrounds, but not been lucky enough to work in a place that is based on therapeutic interventions before. In my spare time, I can be found reading a good book, writing short stories, making silly crafts and spending time with my sons.”
Jane Farnhill - Facilitator
Jane has 20 years' experience supporting children and young adults with varied additional and special educational needs, assisting them with their social activities and everyday life skills, she specialises in supporting young people with ASD and more recently working in a preschool as a 1-1 keyworker. When not working, Jane enjoys cooking for her family which includes her two children, a large dog and a tortoise. She enjoys regular yoga classes & anything nature based- walking, gardening, photography and using her creative floristry skills.
Bridget Lo Cascio - Admin Support
Bridget has recently joined our team as Office Administrator. She has many years’ experiences in admin and facilities management. Prior to joining us she worked for Dorset Council within Children’s Services, Safeguarding. In her free time, Bridget enjoys watching live music, camping and coastal walking.
Alan Whale - Mechanics
Alan joined the team recently bringing his expertise in joinery and also running our Mechanics Department and our 'Green Power' STEM project. Alan has a wealth or experience working with children and has been a scout leader for 38 years.
Danielle Sweetland - Facilitator
Danielle has worked with children for several years as a Children’s Resource Worker (CRW) with the Local Authority and as classroom support within local mainstreams. She has extensive experience of working 1:1 with children with additional needs, supporting them to achieve their best. In her spare time, she enjoys walks in the countryside, reading and spending time with her family.
