Meet our team

Emma Willis, Co-Headteacher

Adam Masterson, Co-Headteacher

Karen McAtear, Deputy Head Formal Pathway

Karen came to Acorn Park in December 2018 initially as an English teacher. She soon after became the Head of English and Building Lead for the secondary school before taking on her current role as Deputy Headteacher for the Formal Curriculum Pathway.

Karen graduated from university with an honours degree in English Literature. She then completed her teacher training and a Masters degree in Autism. Since then, Karen has completed her NPQSL and NPQH qualifications for senior leaders in schools.

Prior to coming to Acorn Park, Karen taught in a wide variety of educational settings across East Anglia, both mainstream and specialist settings. Karen has a passion for teaching and ensuring that all children receive the very best educational experience possible.

Sarah Short, Deputy Head, Semi Formal pathway.

Sarah joined Acorn Park in January 2023 initially as an SEN class teacher before progressing to Deputy Head for the Semi-Formal pathway. She brings 8 years experience from mainstream key-stage 1, EYFS and reading leadership at a Short Stay School developing teaching and learning across primary aged pupils. As a year leader in this time, Sarah supported trainee teachers, bespoke classroom provision for SEN pupils and completed her NPQML qualification. Her passion for enabling success and maximising every individual pupils potential is at the heart of her commitment to Acorn Park and the wider school community.

Emma Thompson, Assistant Head.

Emma joined Acorn Park in October 2020 as Safeguarding Lead and, in 2023, progressed into a Quality and Compliance role overseeing both education and residential provision. She brings over ten years’ experience working within mainstream SEN settings, alongside extensive leadership experience in an independent SEMH/EBD provision. Emma has a strong background in multi-agency working, collaborating closely with professionals to support the complex needs of pupils and their families. In her current role as Assistant Headteacher for Quality and Compliance she oversees pastoral care, safeguarding and staff training, ensuring high standards of practice, safety, and compliance across the setting

Aziza Paylor, Assistant Head.

Aziza joined Acorn Park in January 2025, bringing 25 years of Education experience with 15 years of school leadership experience. With her NPQH and coaching experience, she served as a Headteacher in mainstream primary education for four years, with a further four years working as a consultant in MATS and schools across the country ranging from Nursery to Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form, both within mainstream and Specialist Schools. She is a relational school leader who believes strongly in a collaborative perspective of the young person and our joint responsibility in preparing your young people for their next stages of education and beyond.

Paula-Marie Leech – SENDCo

Paula-Marie joined Acorn Park School in 2021 and, following two years as Assistant SENDCo, progressed to the role of SENDCo. She has been a member of the Senior Leadership Team for the past two years, working towards developing and enhancing provision for pupils across the school.
Paula-Marie has extensive experience working with autistic children and young people, including those with a demand-avoidant profile, and is passionate about developing a deep understanding of each pupil’s individual strengths, needs and aspirations. She works closely with families, clinicians and educational professionals to ensure a collaborative and holistic approach to support.
Committed to neuro-affirming and child-centred practice, Paula-Marie is dedicated to creating environments where pupils feel understood, valued and supported to succeed. She is particularly passionate about ensuring that each child receives the individualised support they need to thrive academically, socially and emotionally, while building the skills, confidence and independence required for successful transitions to their next stage of education and beyond.

Georgeena Taylor, Therapy and Wellbeing Lead and Occupational Therapy Lead.

Georgeena started working at Acorn Park in May 2022, as a Specialist Occupational Therapist. Before Acorn Park, she was fortunate enough to work in very rewarding clinical settings including: a child and adolescent mental health hospital, community mental health and crisis response team, primary care, residential services and within school settings.

Georgeena has continued to develop her specialism in Sensory Integration, obtaining Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner status, and uses this to guide and support interpretation of the young people’s presentations and their own unique sensory profiles.