Proprietor & Directors
Debbie Pester - Proprietor & Director
M.Ed. ( E.B.D. & Pastoral Care)
B.Ed. (Special Needs, & Art & Design)
Dip.AD
Member of BAAT
Debbie is the organisation’s Founder and Director. She has vast experience of special needs education; with over 25 years as a head teacher in a range of special schools and units. Her vision of a highly specialist school has become a successful reality and she continues to pioneer new methods and ideas that will help young people reach their full potential.
Debbie may be contacted via email: proprietor@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
B.Ed. (Special Needs, & Art & Design)
Dip.AD
Member of BAAT
Debbie is the organisation’s Founder and Director. She has vast experience of special needs education; with over 25 years as a head teacher in a range of special schools and units. Her vision of a highly specialist school has become a successful reality and she continues to pioneer new methods and ideas that will help young people reach their full potential.
Debbie may be contacted via email: proprietor@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
James Pester - Director & Safeguarding Link Director
Dip. Ed. ADES (SEN) / M.Ed.
James is a retired special school head teacher who now works as a director and self-employed consultant and advisor to The Yellow House. In partnership with Debbie Pester, James helped to set up The Yellow House and has been involved in the running of the school ever since. He has had a career in working with children with special needs since 1976 in a variety of therapeutic school settings all over the country. For twenty years of that time James was in senior management roles including deputy head teacher and head of education.
James is a retired special school head teacher who now works as a director and self-employed consultant and advisor to The Yellow House. In partnership with Debbie Pester, James helped to set up The Yellow House and has been involved in the running of the school ever since. He has had a career in working with children with special needs since 1976 in a variety of therapeutic school settings all over the country. For twenty years of that time James was in senior management roles including deputy head teacher and head of education.
The Senior Team
Chloe - Head Teacher
Senior Leadership Apprenticeship with NPQH (in progress)
NASENCo - National Award for SEND Co-ordinationMA 18th Century Studies: Representations and Contexts
BA Hons English
BA Hons English
Level 5 Teaching Dyslexia (ATS)
QLTS / Chartered Teacher
Chloe first joined The Yellow House team as Deputy Head : SENDCo and Examinations Officer. Prior, she has had extensive experience working in independent and international schools with pupils with special needs. She has a proven track record in leading SEND within schools and is dedicated to ensuring that all children receive the provision they need to be successful. Chloe has a strong commitment to social inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable children. Contact Chloe at: headteacher@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
QLTS / Chartered Teacher
Chloe first joined The Yellow House team as Deputy Head : SENDCo and Examinations Officer. Prior, she has had extensive experience working in independent and international schools with pupils with special needs. She has a proven track record in leading SEND within schools and is dedicated to ensuring that all children receive the provision they need to be successful. Chloe has a strong commitment to social inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable children. Contact Chloe at: headteacher@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Johdi - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Post Grad Cert Careers Guidance (in progress)
DSL - Level 3 Essex and Suffolk
BA Hons English Literature
BA Hons Classics
Johdi is our Designated Safeguarding Lead. Johdi has a varied experience working in a range of fields within business and education and is unwaveringly passionate about working with, and helping young people; especially those for whom life presents extra challenges. Johdi's values of nurturing, empowering, and celebrating young people align excellently with those of The Yellow House. Johdi is also responsible for the R&R (PSHE) curriculum and our thriving Transition programme. Contact Johdi at: johdi.mennie@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
DSL - Level 3 Essex and Suffolk
BA Hons English Literature
BA Hons Classics
Johdi is our Designated Safeguarding Lead. Johdi has a varied experience working in a range of fields within business and education and is unwaveringly passionate about working with, and helping young people; especially those for whom life presents extra challenges. Johdi's values of nurturing, empowering, and celebrating young people align excellently with those of The Yellow House. Johdi is also responsible for the R&R (PSHE) curriculum and our thriving Transition programme. Contact Johdi at: johdi.mennie@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Natalie - SENDCo
NASENCo - National Award for SEND Co-Ordination
Post Grad Cert in Education PGCE with QTS
BA Hons Fine Art, Drama and Theatre Studies
Natalie joins us as SENDCo from a mainstream setting where she developed her passion for SEND. Natalie is a strategic and values-driven SENDCo who is excited to join a specialist team with her vision for inclusive education. Natalie enjoys the nurturing, calm pace of working alongside the student and their family in order to remove barriers to education . Natalie is also passionate about sustainability and the ability of animals to soothe. Contact Natalie at: natalie.morris@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Post Grad Cert in Education PGCE with QTS
BA Hons Fine Art, Drama and Theatre Studies
Natalie joins us as SENDCo from a mainstream setting where she developed her passion for SEND. Natalie is a strategic and values-driven SENDCo who is excited to join a specialist team with her vision for inclusive education. Natalie enjoys the nurturing, calm pace of working alongside the student and their family in order to remove barriers to education . Natalie is also passionate about sustainability and the ability of animals to soothe. Contact Natalie at: natalie.morris@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Christine - Business Manager
Christine is the school’s Business Manager and has worked at The Yellow House since it’s first year of opening in 2002. She is based at our main office in our Sible site and oversees all the financial arrangements for the smooth running of our therapeutic school as well as being the collective memory for students old and new. To contact Christine at our Sible site please phone 01787 462504 or email: office@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Debs - Administrator & Exams Officer
Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Business Administration
Level 2 Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
Debs has many years of experience of business administration and working with children. She is responsible for overseeing the administrative processes that support our pupils' education. Debs is also the school’s GCSE Examinations Officer, managing the administration and organisation of examinations at our Sible site. To contact please call 01787 279139 or email: clareoffice@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Level 2 Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
Debs has many years of experience of business administration and working with children. She is responsible for overseeing the administrative processes that support our pupils' education. Debs is also the school’s GCSE Examinations Officer, managing the administration and organisation of examinations at our Sible site. To contact please call 01787 279139 or email: clareoffice@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Therapeutic Team
Lydia - Therapeutic Lead
Level 5 Diploma in Addiction Counselling
Level 4 Diploma in Childhood Development
HLTA status
GNVQ supporting teaching and learning.
Level 4 Diploma in Childhood Development
HLTA status
GNVQ supporting teaching and learning.
Lydia is a supportive team player who has many years of experience working within therapeutic settings across several schools in Essex and Suffolk. She champions bespoke input for pupils in her therapeutic role through setting targets with pupils in her development of therapeutic plans. In her spare time, Lydia has a keen interest in theatre and has performed in many amateur productions. Lydia may be contacted via email: lydia.prime@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Joanne - Curriculum Lead
Post Grad Diploma in Applied leadership and management
Post Grad Cert in Education PGCE with QTS
BA Hons English
BA Hons Sociology
European Common Language framework B1 German
Model music curriculum (Essex)
Joanne is an experienced & qualified teacher having taught many years in both the UK and overseas in the public and private sector. She uses her wide teaching experience and knowledge to support students and staff through her role as curriculum manager driving curriculum development across all subjects at the yellow house school. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Leadership and Management. As English Lead Joanne is responsible for overseeing Teaching and learning of English Language and Literature across the school. Joanne has both personal and professional experience with SEND. Joanne has a caring nature and never stops thinking about how to help our pupils achieve. Joanne may be contacted via email: joanne.dearden@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Post Grad Cert in Education PGCE with QTS
BA Hons English
BA Hons Sociology
European Common Language framework B1 German
Model music curriculum (Essex)
Joanne is an experienced & qualified teacher having taught many years in both the UK and overseas in the public and private sector. She uses her wide teaching experience and knowledge to support students and staff through her role as curriculum manager driving curriculum development across all subjects at the yellow house school. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Leadership and Management. As English Lead Joanne is responsible for overseeing Teaching and learning of English Language and Literature across the school. Joanne has both personal and professional experience with SEND. Joanne has a caring nature and never stops thinking about how to help our pupils achieve. Joanne may be contacted via email: joanne.dearden@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Pippa - Therapeutic Tutor
BA Hons degree in Early Learning.
Level 5 Initial Teacher Training
Level 3 Numeracy Teaching
QTLS
Pippa has many years of experience working within SEN schools along with Behaviour Units. Originally an LSA, then an HLTA and now a fully qualified teacher, Pippa is hardworking and driven. Pippa is a great role model for lifelong learning. Her calm and humour matches her proven track record working within specialist environments shows her commitment to therapeutic education. Pippa may be contacted via email: phillippa.cheshire@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Level 5 Initial Teacher Training
Level 3 Numeracy Teaching
QTLS
Pippa has many years of experience working within SEN schools along with Behaviour Units. Originally an LSA, then an HLTA and now a fully qualified teacher, Pippa is hardworking and driven. Pippa is a great role model for lifelong learning. Her calm and humour matches her proven track record working within specialist environments shows her commitment to therapeutic education. Pippa may be contacted via email: phillippa.cheshire@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Mia - Therapeutic Tutor
With a passion for history, Mia has taken on the role of therapeutic tutor at the school. She has many years experience of working in SEN as a teacher and student mentor. Mia also has considerable experience as an Army Cadet Leader. She is excited to be able to contribute to our creative and engaging environment here at the Yellow House and has many excellent qualities to share with the children. She also supports our Forest School Lead and has taken on Outdoor Learning as part of her role. Mia incorporates her Army Cadet training to outdoor learning. Mia can be contacted via email: mia.jadeja@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Frances- Therapeutic Tutor
BA (Hons) Degree in Education Studies
NVQ Level 3 in Working with Children and Young People
BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts
NCFE CACHE Level 2 in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
Fran has a degree in Education Studies and many years of experience working within the education sector. She is committed to creating safe, nurturing spaces where students are encouraged to grow into the best versions of themselves. She has a keen interest in therapeutic approaches to learning, with training in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties, DBT, CBT and Lego-based Therapy. These tools help her to practice a holistic, student-centred approach with a view to supporting student’s emotional, social and academic development.
As Humanities Lead Fran teaches History, Geography, Languages and Cultural and Religious Studies alongside a variety of other subjects across the curriculum. She aims to bring warmth, creativity, and a genuine passion for the humanities into her teaching, hoping to help students connect with the world around them in meaningful, reflective ways. Fran can be contacted on frances.speary@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
NVQ Level 3 in Working with Children and Young People
BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts
NCFE CACHE Level 2 in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
Fran has a degree in Education Studies and many years of experience working within the education sector. She is committed to creating safe, nurturing spaces where students are encouraged to grow into the best versions of themselves. She has a keen interest in therapeutic approaches to learning, with training in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties, DBT, CBT and Lego-based Therapy. These tools help her to practice a holistic, student-centred approach with a view to supporting student’s emotional, social and academic development.
As Humanities Lead Fran teaches History, Geography, Languages and Cultural and Religious Studies alongside a variety of other subjects across the curriculum. She aims to bring warmth, creativity, and a genuine passion for the humanities into her teaching, hoping to help students connect with the world around them in meaningful, reflective ways. Fran can be contacted on frances.speary@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Sally - Therapeutic Tutor
Sally comes to us with years of experience working in the Hair industry. She transitioned into Education four years ago, teaching Maths and English to Apprentices and Life skills along with practical skills in FE Colleges in the Essex. She has a passion for inspiring the next generation of young people while supporting them to develop their confidence and skills in all areas of daily life and heads up the Life skills we teach at The Yellow House. Sally is highly trained and experienced and we are delighted to add her to the Yellow House Team. Sally can be contacted via email: Sally.Harris@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Dan - Therapeutic Tutor
| Level 3 Forest School Lead Level 3 RHS Horticulture Level 2 Horticultural Therapy PGCE Primary Teaching Bachelor of Arts Science (Hons) in Psychology |
| Bachelor of Arts Science (Hons) in Herbal Medicine |
Dan's interests and passions are the natural world and is the Outdoor Learning Lead. In a previous role, Dan ran a therapeutic gardening department in a children's hospital. The Yellow House offers 'Forest School' - which involves our young people with real life skills and the chance to self direct learning. Aims are to help student to connect with outdoor spaces and offers therapeutic benefits. Dan may be contacted via email: dan.wheals@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Sophie - Therapeutic Tutor
| Sophie joins us as a working artist who combines creativity and organisation to guide our pupils through their GCSE Art portfolios and developing their own creative processes. Sophie has a number of years experience in schools, running therapeutic art input as well as supporting in the art department through teaching, modelling and evaluating techniques. Sophie loves all things art, textiles and creativity. Sophie may be contacted via email:sophieclark@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk |