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Meet Our Senior Leadership Team
At Coombe House School, our Senior Leadership Team—often referred to as SLT—is dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive, and inspiring environment for every student. With a wealth of experience in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), our leaders are passionate about ensuring that all children and young people receive the personalised education and care they deserve.
Guided by expertise, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, our team works collaboratively with staff, families, and the wider community to empower every student to achieve their full potential.
If you would like to get in touch with a member of our Senior Leadership Team, they can be contacted through the main office using the details below.
Darren joined Coombe House School in January 2023 and has overseen a period of growth that has seen pupil numbers increase from 36 to over 100.
Darren comes with significant experience in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) having worked in both the maintained and non-maintained sectors. Having qualified as a Physical Education teacher in 2003, he taught in a Community College for five years before moving into supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs. Darren has continued this work since 2009 and has held senior posts including Assistant Headteacher, Headteacher and Principal and has overseen both specialist schools and residential social care settings. Darren has played a significant role in a number of Outstanding Ofsted inspections in his various roles and holds the achievements and successes of his pupils at the heart of his work.
Outside of work (and in work, actually) Darren is always willing to discuss his beloved York City Football Club with anyone that will listen.
Jemma joined Coombe House School as Deputy Headteacher in June 2023, bringing a wealth of experience in the independent SEND sector. She began her career in 2013 as a keyworker at an SEMH school in Blackburn, where she later trained as a teacher, qualifying in 2016. After relocating to Wiltshire, she joined a SEND school for children with dyslexia, quickly progressing through leadership roles, including Head of Department, Head of Year, and ultimately, Director of Studies.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Jemma moved to England in 2009 to attend university. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where young people can thrive. Jemma is excited to contribute to the growth and development of Coombe House School along with the support of her dog Quill who you will see wagging his tail around school.
Bex joined Coombe House School in April 2022, bringing over twenty-five years of experience across a diverse range of educational settings. Throughout her career, she has worked in mainstream primary schools, special schools, and within a Category C prison, gaining a deep understanding of the varied and complex needs of learners. As an experienced teacher and SENDCo, Bex is committed to ensuring that all pupils receive the tailored support they need to thrive.
Beyond her work in education, Bex is also a published author, writing under the name Rebecca Westcott. She has written more than ten books, including four bestsellers co-authored with an autistic teenager, which provide an authentic and powerful insight into neurodiverse experiences.
Bex is deeply passionate about amplifying the voices of young people and ensuring their perspectives are not only heard but valued. This ethos is central to her work at Coombe House School, where she is dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for all pupils.
Martin has been dedicated to education since qualifying as a teacher in 1997. He began his career as a PE teacher in a Middle School, where he developed a passion for supporting pupils both in and beyond the classroom. Progressing through leadership roles, he became a Headteacher in 2014, leading with a strong commitment to pupil development and school improvement.
In 2017, Martin transitioned into the SEND sector, where he took on the leadership of an Alternative Provision. Through his vision and dedication, he transformed it into a National SEND Award-Winning Alternative Provision, recognised for being the ‘Most Innovative Provision’. This experience deepened his understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within SEND education, further fuelling his dedication to creating environments where all pupils can succeed.
With over 27 years in education, Martin continues to learn and grow, embracing the energy, curiosity, and challenges that young people bring to school every day. He finds the most rewarding part of his role is helping pupils flourish — guiding them to discover their passions and witnessing the transformative impact education can have on their lives.
Outside of school, Martin is a devoted husband and father of four, a passionate rugby fan, and a keen dog walker.
Martin has been at Coombe House School since September 2022 after working as an Assistant Headteacher in a two-form entry Primary School.
Martin started his teaching career after gaining a PGCE at Bath University, following a degree in Countryside Management from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. He went on to teach at both Middle and Primary Schools before working at Coombe House School, initially as a teacher and then Assistant Headteacher. Martin has experience of teaching a wide range of different ages and subjects and in the past has been heavily involved with school improvement strategies, including through completion of the Outstanding Teacher Programme. He loves the day-to-day challenges and rewards of working in specialist provision and believes relationships are key in everything that he does, and the way to unlock so much learning potential.
Away from work, and when not watching Liverpool on the TV, Martin loves spending time with his family and being in the countryside, either walking his dog Poppy, out on his quad bike or competing in fishing competitions.
Jenny joined Coombe House School in September 2023 where she started as a Class Teacher and has since progressed to Assistant for Birch, Cherry and Willow.
Jenny has been teaching for 10 years and has a keen interest and specialism in English, pupil relationships and behaviour. Whilst at her previous school Jenny held a position as a Pupil Relationships Engagement Leader.
She gets excited by all things innovative and loves solving problems by thinking outside the box and role models this to pupils on the regular. Outside work, Jenny can normally be found wading knee deep in mud tending to her horses and riding whenever the weather allows. In the summer months, Jenny can also be spotted driving around in her, somewhat temperamental, classic Beetle.