Peter Marshall, Head of Service
Peter’s role as Head of Service is to provide strategic leadership of all the children’s services at Acorn Park, including education, care and therapeutic support.
Peter has a strong record of accomplishment in service improvement and is dedicated to improving the lives of young people and their families through outstanding education and care. He has significant experience in Autism, SLD, ADHD, SEMH, Attachment and Trauma and has considerable leadership positions during his career.
Philippa Whipp, Headteacher
Philippa joined Acorn Park in 2020 and has 18+ years of teaching and leadership experience, as well as experience of curriculum development, school improvement and SEND knowledge. As Head of School, Phillipa is committed to the improvement journey of Acorn park and to quality education to its young people.
Selina Wightman, Therapy and Wellbeing Lead and Speech & Language and Communication Lead.
Selina worked in the NHS as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for 21 years, in the field of autism spectrum conditions and other associated diagnoses. Selina led the diagnosis and intervention part of the service for Autism Spectrum Conditions. Selina holds a Leadership qualification and is a Positive Behaviour Support Coach. Selina’s aim is to work collaboratively with school staff and provide therapy support in a streamlined way in order to address the needs
Sam Hayon, Facilities Manager
Sam joined Acorn Park in 2023, having previously gained considerable experience in Facilities Management. Sam started his career as an apprentice electrician in London, where he became a qualified electrician and worked on projects such as the Olympics site, amongst others within the M25. Sam later moved on to work with Network Rail, The University of East Anglia, The Eastern Daily Press and several Police investigation centres across Norfolk – both at a supervisory and managerial level.
Sam is passionate about compliance, health & safety and project management. Sam’s goal is to improve the quality and safety of our service, for both pupils and his fellow colleagues. Sam is delighted to join the service in a senior position, having been struck by the warmth of the school, its values and ethos, and the reward of supporting the young people and adults to Grow, Strive, Care and Thrive
Education Leadership Team:
- Head of School: Philippa Whipp
- Deputy Headteacher: Emma Willis (Formal Pathway & Personal Development)
- Deputy Headteacher: Adam Masterson (Semi-Formal Pathway, Assessment& Behaviour)
- SENDCo: Paula-Marie Leech
Our SWIFT Team
The wellbeing of children and families is of the greatest importance to us at Acorn Park and so we have a dedicated family and pastoral support team, our SWIFT team – Student, Welfare, Integration, Family Team.
This team works across the school with young people, families and outside agencies to improve the welfare, wellbeing and integration of our learners and to provide support and advice for families as we recognise that supporting a child with Autism and often other conditions, can be challenging, exhausting and at times, incredibly lonely.
Family Outreach
Our Family Outreach Manager works in the home and community with families and carers to provide support to pupils not attending school, requiring home support ( referral is through the SWIFT team) or with specific challenges.
They run parenting courses and group meetings as well as facilitating training and sourcing local speakers and support groups.