Staff Stories
We employ a wide range of specialist teachers and support staff. Our small classes and expert staff help maintain a calm environment, conducive to learning. The real benefit of a school like this is that the staff at LVS Oxford really understand what autism is.
Scroll down for profiles of just some of our staff and see the rewarding work they do.
Gayle Fox
Supporting students onto their next step is an essential role of LVS Oxford. Spearheading this support is Gayle Fox, the school’s careers guidance advisor, work experience and transitions co-ordinator.
With students going on to study at one of the many local colleges or joining apprenticeship schemes, LVS Oxford enables every individual to find the right pathway for whatever they want to do next.
“At LVS Oxford, we all work towards giving the students the best outcomes they can possibly have…. We help them get the best out of school and put them on a pathway for the future. They leave here knowing that they can have a future: I can work, I can earn money, I can take holidays and buy nice things,” says Gayle.
Laura Trinder
At LVS Oxford, all students are allowed to thrive. “Autism doesn’t stop them,” says Laura Trinder, a Higher Learning TA, responsible for PSHE. “Occasionally we need to change things, but here they are students. We talk about everyone being different and that it’s okay – we rarely see autism prevent the students achieving, because they are thriving.”
Laura feels lucky to be part of these young peoples’ lives. “Seeing their transition from Year 7 to Year 8 and the journey they’ve been on is remarkable. They are happy to come to school, to form friendships and progress into the other year groups.”
Students in the upper school act as mentor to those younger students in the lower school, with being a mentor seen very much as a badge of pride throughout the school.
Lucy Whorton
Art classes are hugely popular at LVS Oxford, with every pupil given the opportunity to be creative, thanks to the Friday afternoon enrichment clubs, which include an art group and Zentanglers, a mindful art technique that uses patterns and doodles to create pictures.
Lucy enjoys giving her students plenty of opportunity to experiment with colours, textures and materials, as well as having the chance to create interesting objects, from mosaic pots to t-shirts bearing an individual design
“We aim to make the classes fun, and our students’ art tends to be really eye-catching…. I’m really proud of what they create and we display their finished artworks in cabinets in the reception for everyone to see.”
Bruce Strouts
“LVS Oxford is a really positive and well-resourced school environment. While some of our students may have struggled with sensory overload within in a mainstream school setting, here the small class sizes and expert teachers help maintain a calm environment, conducive to learning. It’s the real benefit of a school like this. The staff here understand what autism is,” says Therapy Assistant Bruce Strouts, who supports the children to develop new techniques and learn more skills, from tying their shoelaces to overcoming sensory issues.
“In class, therapy will also work on posture and techniques to help the students be better able to focus. Other skills might be as simple as getting them to take turns.”
Emily Kemp
Responsible for admissions at LVS Oxford, Emily is often the first point of contact for new parents looking to learn more about the school. She is also the EHCP Co-ordinator.
Emily enjoys working within the supportive setting of LVS Oxford, part of a team that puts everyone’s wellbeing front and centre. As well as being a fabulous learning environment, in a stunning location, individuals progression is paramount, with plenty of scope for students to learn and develop new skills.
Students at LVS Oxford also benefit from a number of successful collaborations with local businesses, including the prestigious Blenheim Palace, which are designed to open up a world of exciting opportunities for pupils, from day trips to work experience.