Our Leadership Team
Executive Principal: Lisa Ashcroft-Day
Lisa completed her teaching qualification at Loughborough University in 2002 and became an Advanced Skills Teacher within her first 2 years of teaching. She moved from subject leadership to become Head of KS4 in a large secondary school where she was responsible for pastoral care as well as pupil outcomes. Being passionate about supporting pupils to overcome barriers to learning, Lisa completed her National SENDCo Award through Northampton University. Having gained her SENDCo qualification she was promoted to a senior leadership role to develop inclusive practice across the school. Lisa made the move from mainstream to work in AP as Executive Vice Principal in 2016 and has gained valuable experience of working with vulnerable children and young people with SEMH needs. She led the opening of two new AP Free Schools in Lincoln and Mablethorpe and has worked closely with Lincolnshire Local Authority to deliver the AP strand of the Lincolnshire Ladder of Behaviour Intervention.
Executive Vice Principal: Jack Williamson
Jack began teaching in 2011 after completing a BA (Hons) and PGCE in Physical Education at Edge Hill University. He has spent the last 10 years in a mainstream academy, where he has been able to develop his understanding of pedagogy and teaching & learning through a plethora of roles including; Lead Teacher, Head of Department, Head of Faculty, Assistant Principal and now Executive Vice Principal.
Whilst in mainstream he found that he had a natural affinity to work with those students who struggled with forming relationships with their teachers. He has developed an interest in understanding how the current education system manages to still fail 1 in 6 children, and how collective systemic change is needed. By joining Springwell he hopes to broaden and deepen his understanding of how education can become more inclusive for all.
Outside of school Jack is interested in sport and the outdoors including; skiing, hiking, camping and running to name a few and not to forget, walking his beloved Sprocker Spaniel Pepper!
Executive Vice Principal: Steve Cumberworth
Stephen graduated with a PGCE in Science in 1994 from the University of Bath. Having taught in schools in Dorset, Essex and Lincolnshire Stephen became a Head of Science in a Lincolnshire school in 1998. After being appointed to a Local Authority School Improvement Team as Science adviser he became an Ofsted inspector, and worked with the Qualification and Curriculum Authority, Teacher Training Agency and National Science Strategy. Stephen gained his NPQH, has been a school leader in 6 educational establishments and proudly joined Springwell Alternative Academies in September 2019. Stephen believes unreservedly in promoting high standards and facilitating achievement and ambition for all young people that he feels privileged to work alongside.
Stephen loves working in AP as he enjoys seeing pupils who found mainstream education difficult to manage flourish and enjoy success day in day out.
Executive Vice Principal: Sarah Jorgensen
Sarah began teaching in 2003 as a Science Teacher following her BSc Biology and PGCE at Hull University. She spent the next 14 years in mainstream secondary schools where she enjoyed developing Teaching and Learning in the school as Head of Science and Teacher Training Coordinator. Following her NASENCo qualification Sarah then joined the senior team as SENDCo, Specialist Assessor and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. She moved to Alternative Provision in 2017 and since then has enjoyed the role of SENDCo and Head of School prior to becoming Executive Vice Principal. In her time at Springwell Sarah has completed qualifications in Nurture and in Theraplay. She is passionate about improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and has recently completed a Masters Degree in Special Educational Needs where she considered how Theraplay can support children with SEMH needs.
Sarah loves working in Alternative Provision because the nature of the setting allows staff to really know and understand each individual child enabling them to be better supported and ultimately thrive.
Executive Vice Principal : Mia Sneyd
Mia began her teaching career in 2003 specialising in English and Literature. With a passion for teaching and learning, and securing reading skills for children and young people, she became an Advanced Skills Teacher before taking on senior leadership positions. In 2014, Mia became an Educational Consultant and specialised in Teacher Training and School Improvement. With a keen interest in ensuring that all children and young people have access to a good quality education irrespective of starting points, Mia brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She is a strong believer that relationships matter and that building nurturing and safe learning environments will help young people enjoy their learning. Outside of work, Mia is an avid reader and enjoys going on adventures and seeing the world.
Executive Vice Principal: Sarah Lewis
Sarah completed her degree in Sports Coaching Science and Sports Development. She delivered PE lessons and upskilled teachers across primary schools in Coventry. After gaining her forest schools award, Sarah supported children with SEN and SEMH needs. The school approached her to do her teacher training through Schools Direct.
In 2014, Sarah completed her PGCE in Primary Education with a SEND specialism at The University of Warwick. She has spent a further 4 years in mainstream schools, where she has been able to develop her understanding of pedagogy and teaching & learning through a of roles including: Lead Teacher, MAT PE and Sports Lead, NQT Mentor and Key Stage Lead.
During this time, Sarah continued to work with those most vulnerable and those with additional needs. In her most recent mainstream class she had 50% of her class on the SEND register all with Individualised Education Plans. She then joined the Springwell Lincolnshire team as Primary Lead in 2018. Sarah has supported in developing an engaging curriculum for all to thrive and achieve in, in their individual pathways.
Assistant Principal/SENDCo: Gemma Hunter
[biog and photo to follow]
Pupil-Parent Support Lead: Jayne Battersby
Executive Behaviour Lead: Paul Jervis
Primary Lead: Sarah Lewis
Secondary Lead: Lilian Hold
Senior Administrator: Aine Lippolis