Rob Millington

Executive Principal (CEO)

Rob was the founder of Newfriars College in 2018 with support from Phil Harrison (CEO Of Manor Hall Trust) and the Shaw Education Trust. Rob was originally a care and support worker before becoming a teacher, and he has never lost sight of this. He moved through the ranks at Blackfriars and gained many qualifications along the way, including a Masters of Arts in Special Educational Needs and Disability. He was previously Head of Blackfriars Further Education Department and has had two successful senior leadership roles in schools spanning all key stages.

Governance and SEND is a passion of Rob’s. He has served as a governor in primary, secondary, and special schools, including roles as Chairperson and safeguarding lead. He regularly collaborates with care and local authorities, helping to shape better provision for children and young people with SEND. Rob is a member of the Executive Board for SEND & Inclusion and the Improving Education Strategy in Stoke-On-Trent.

Rob has been pivotal and is extremely proud in setting up opportunities to support young people with additional needs to gain full time employment. If you have a passion to collaborate or support, Rob would like to work with you to improve the lives of young people.

Laura Grundy

Finance Operations Director

As Finance and Operations Director, Laura provides strategic leadership across all financial, operational, and people functions for the college. She works in close partnership with the education and leadership teams to build a robust and supportive platform—one that allows them to focus entirely on student learning and development. Known for analytical rigour and strategic focus, Laura champions solutions that maximise resources and amplify impact, ensuring that student success remains the central priority in every decision.

Laura’s greatest professional satisfaction comes from knowing that her work in creating a stable, high-performing organisation directly removes barriers for educators and unlocks life-changing opportunities for our students and the surrounding community.

Laura is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and holds a Global MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School. She brings extensive experience from senior finance roles, including Financial Controller and Head of Finance positions, and also has a strong professional background in auditing, procurement savings, and income strategy.

Stacey Oakley

Stacey Oakley brings over 26 years of teaching experience to her role as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) at Newfriars College. Her career spans both mainstream secondary education and specialist settings, giving her a deep understanding of diverse learner needs and the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments where every young person can thrive.

Stacey has also contributed significantly beyond her own setting, providing safeguarding support and guidance to other schools within a multiacademy trust. She is experienced in delivering safeguarding training to staff teams, ensuring that colleagues feel confident, informed, and equipped to uphold the highest standards of practice.

In addition to her professional roles, Stacey has contributed to governance within specialist education, serving as ViceChair of Governors for a local specialist multiphase school. This experience has broadened her strategic perspective and deepened her commitment to highquality, personcentred support for children and young people with complex needs.

Passionate about her work at Newfriars College, Stacey is committed to championing the safety, rights, and educational progress of all learners. Her calm leadership, extensive expertise, and unwavering dedication make her a central figure in the college’s safeguarding and SEND provision.

Thomas Hall

Assistant Headteacher Independent Living Pathway

Tom has trained in both secondary mainstream and SEN provisions, and worked at Newfriars for a number of years, now leading the Independent Living Pathway. In addition to holding the NPQ Senior Leadership and NPQ Leading Teacher Development, Tom brings a wealth of experience through years of working with young people, mentoring Early Career Teachers and serving as a trustee of a local charity.

Helen Sawyer-Grund

Helen is a Level 6 qualified Careers Adviser responsible for providing information, advice and guidance to help our young people and their parents/carers make informed choices about the next steps after college. She is responsible for overseeing both the Transition In and Transition Out of college for our learners, offering personalised support and helping learners make a smooth transition to adult life. She has over 30 years experience in careers work and has worked in a variety of settings including further education colleges, mainstream high schools, and SEND settings where she has developed specialist knowledge and experience of working with learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Adam Marshall

As MIS Lead, Adam Marshall brings a rare blend of strategic insight and hands‑on educational experience. Coming from the classroom himself, Adam understands how vital it is for systems to be intuitive, user‑friendly, and genuinely supportive of teaching and learning.
In the special needs sector, clarity and accessibility are essential. Adam ensures that data is collected, connected, and presented in ways that make life easier for students, families, staff, leaders, and governors. His work focuses on inclusivity—making sure every learner’s needs are visible, understood, and supported through accurate and meaningful information.

With a forward‑thinking approach and a passion for removing barriers, Adam designs and oversees systems that empower staff to focus on what matters most: delivering outstanding learning experiences for every student.

Chelsie Gaunt

HR and payroll Officer

“Chelsie joined Newfriars in September 2024 and works as our HR & Payroll Officer. She supports staff and managers across the college to help ensure a positive and well supportive working environment”

Hannah Hancock

Hannah brings nine years of teaching experience across multiple pathways at a local special school. She joined Newfriars in 2024 within the Supported Living Pathway, and from September 2025 has led the pathway, using her broad experience to support young people in developing greater independence.

Samantha Gibson

Samantha transitioned into education following a career change from policing, beginning her teaching journey in mainstream primary settings. She soon developed a strong passion for Special Educational Needs (SEN) and has since worked across a range of specialist environments from Key Stage 1 to 5, bringing extensive SEN expertise to her role within the college.

As Progress Lead for the Independent Living Pathway (ILP), Samantha is responsible for overseeing the Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) of all learners within the pathway. Her role includes gathering evidence from staff and digital platforms and working closely with external professionals to ensure that every learner has the support and provision needed to achieve their full potential. Alongside her leadership responsibilities, Samantha also teaches within the ILP.

Zoe Green

Zoe has been a dedicated member of Newfriars since 2012, beginning her journey as a lunchtime supervisor. Over the years, she progressed rapidly, taking on roles as a teaching assistant, teacher, and tutor before stepping into her current position as Student Experience Lead for the ILP pathway. Alongside this, she also serves as Transport Manager, working closely with the local authority to coordinate transport arrangements and support families. Highly organised and deeply caring, she places students’ needs and experiences at the heart of everything she does, consistently striving to bring positivity, happiness, and a supportive atmosphere to the college.

Jason Jones

Jason’s career in the leisure industry began back in 1986, where his enthusiasm and natural leadership quickly propelled him from centre assistant to duty manager—a role he held with dedication for 25 years. During this time, he became a fully qualified swimming teacher with a particular passion for supporting students with special needs. Jason took pride in giving opportunities to young people who might otherwise never have experienced the joy and confidence that comes from learning to swim in a public pool. Joining the Blackfriars Federation marked the beginning of a new chapter. Initially appointed as a swimming teacher, Jason’s drive for personal growth and his commitment to the students soon saw him take on wider responsibilities. He transitioned into the role of Land-Based Studies Teacher before becoming the Health & Safety and Premises Manager. Along the way, he achieved a suite of professional qualifications—including the Award in Education and Training, IOSH Managing Safely, and the NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.

Jason has played a pivotal role in several of the college’s major improvement projects, successfully overseeing the installation of a new roof, upgraded fire doors, and an ambitious £1.7 million extension that transformed both the college building and its grounds. Passionate about the college community, Jason is deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for students and staff alike. His energy, pride, and unwavering dedication continue to help shape a college experience where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Kylie Sharman

Kylie is the Progress Lead for the Vocational Pathway, chairing EHCP annual reviews and working closely with the Transition Lead to support learners’ progress in college and beyond. She brings a background in performing arts, a PGCE with QTS, and extensive experience working with adults with additional needs across both care and education settings. Kylie is passionate about helping young people with additional needs thrive, drawing on both professional and personal experiences. She looks forward to meeting you all soon in EHCP meetings!

Lyndsay Taylor

Progress Lead Student Experience Lead Positive Behaviour Manager Supported Living Pathway

Lyndsay brings 16 years of specialist PMLD/SLD experience, with a strong focus on communication (ATAAC) and learner voice. She has spent the last 7 years as a Positive Behaviour Lead, delivering whole‑staff training and driving positive, meaningful outcomes for learners across the setting. In 2024, Lyndsay became both the Progress Lead and Student Experience Lead, reflecting her expertise, leadership, and commitment to creating supportive, person-centred approaches and environments where every learner can thrive.

Jim Barrow

ICT Manager

Jim Barrow is our visionary ICT trailblazer, seamlessly leveraging innovative thinking to drive transformational, future‑ready digital excellence across the organisation.

Cathrine Bryan

Exams Officer/ ILP-01/05 Tutor/ Teaching Assistant

Cathrine is an experienced Exams Officer with over 25 years in the education sector. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to ensuring smooth and efficient examination processes while providing compassionate support to students. Known for her calm approach and commitment to helping learners achieve their best, Cathrine takes great pride in guiding students through key stages of their educational journey.

Sue Salt

Welfare and Care Manager, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sue has been a dedicated member of the Newhouse Special School community since 1990, continuing through its evolution into Blackfriars FE and now Newfriars College. Beginning her journey as a Teaching Assistant, she progressed to Senior Teaching Assistant, then Assistant SENCo, and now serves as the Welfare and Care Manager as well as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. Over the years, Sue has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience across all aspects of student support, welfare, and safeguarding. Her long-standing commitment and deep understanding of the college make her very much a part of the fixtures and fittings, valued by colleagues, students, and families alike.

Stephen Catchick

Steve has been a qualified teaching for over 22 years with 17 years in SEND and 13 at Newfriars College. During his time at Newfriars College Steve has helped develop the college curriculum as a pathway lead and a member of the communication team. Steve has supported in the develop of the Evidence for Learning app to help show student progress. Steve is passionate about SEND teaching and wants each student to have the best opportunities in life.

Steve currently teaches horticulture across the college and is a qualified Social and Therapeutic practitioner. He uses his training in this field to help support the students work towards their EHCP targets alongside building up their Horticulture knowledge.

Steve is also helping develop the college offer by working alongside staff to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Lauren Elliot

Lauren is the Vocational Pathway lead; she has over 20 years’ experience working with SEND learners in education and community settings. She has worked alongside the local authority and creative industries, including the BBC, to champion access to the arts and continues to advocate for inclusive practices. Lauren is delighted to join Newfriars College and is committed to empowering learners to thrive

Julie Davies

Julie Davies is an education professional with over 21 years of experience across local primary, secondary, further education, mainstream and SEND settings. She graduated from the University of Derby in 2018 with a First-Class degree in Education and was the inaugural recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence. Since then, Julie has further strengthened her expertise by achieving both her PGCE and NPQLTD. Joining Newfriars in 2020, she has contributed in a range of roles, including classroom teacher and manager of the college’s outstanding teaching assistant team. Julie now chiefly serves as the Student Experience Lead for the Vocational Pathway, where she is dedicated to ensuring high‑quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities for every learner. Her work is rooted in a commitment to inclusivity, aspirational outcomes and ensuring that each young person feels valued, empowered, and prepared for their next steps.

Tracy Gillett

Director of Education

‘Tracy is the Director of Education at Newfriars College. She holds a master’s degree in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion and has dedicated her career to specialist further education. Her experience spans general further education and specialist college settings, where she has served as a senior leader. As a qualified tutor, Tracy spent many years leading programmes in skills for life, work experience, and employability.

Tracy is also the Vice Chair of Natspec and serves as its Policy Director for Quality. She also regularly undertakes a wide range of quality assurance activities across specialist and general FE settings for students with high needs. She has extensive expertise in supporting learners with autism, profound and multiple learning difficulties, sensory impairments, and complex needs.’