Meet the SEND Team
Our SEND Team provides specialist assistance for students with special educational needs or for whom English is an additional language. Support staff work closely with teaching staff to ensure student progress is maximised in whatever learning environment they are placed.
Anita Wall
Assistant Principal, SENDCO
Email: anita.wall@bulwellacademy.org.uk
I strongly believe that high quality inclusive education is the gateway to securing transformational futures, for all of our pupils with SEN needs at The Bulwell Academy
I am delighted to have joined The Bulwell Academy in September 2023 as Assistant Principal and SENDCO. I have been a qualified SENDCO for over five years and have completed a Masters degree in Special Educational Needs.
Throughout my teaching career I have worked in both mainstream and special educational needs settings, holding a variety of different roles including Head of Department, Head of 6th Form and Inclusion Centre Lead. These roles have enabled me to gain a wealth of experience and solidified my passion for supporting pupils and their families with additional and complex needs.
Lisa McConnell
Assistant SENDCo
Email: lisa.mcconnell@bulwellacademy.org.uk
I am proud to have joined the SEND Team, at Bulwell Academy, in November 2024. It is my passion to advocate for parents, carers and students with Special Educational Needs.
I have been working in Education since 1997, and I have 8 year’s experience as an Assistant SENDCo. My previous roles have included teaching students with special educational needs in a mainstream setting, as well as supporting students with complex Social Emotional and Mental Health needs at a Nottingham City Pupil Referral Unit.
Melanie Mackenzie
School Counsellor
Currently on Maternity Leave
Email: melanie.mackenzie@bulwellacademy.org.uk
I am a qualified Humanistic Counsellor offering Person Centred and Solution Focused therapy. I have been working at the Bulwell Academy for the past 5 years and have over 10 years’ experience of counselling in secondary schools around Nottinghamshire.
As a school counsellor I fully understand the pressures and difficulties facing young people, parents/carers, teaching and non-teaching staff.
Counselling is an opportunity for students to explore problems they may be experiencing or to talk through traumatic or distressing events in their lives. My aim is to support our young people to make their own choices in finding positive ways to move forward and reach their potential. I can support with a wide range of topics including: Stress, anxiety, Self worth, Bereavement, Anger, Trauma and Self-identity to name a few.
A referral can be made through the Year Manager or members of the Safeguarding Team.
Paula Selfe
Additional Needs Assistant / ELSA
Email: paula.selfe@bulwellacademy.org.uk
I have worked at The Bulwell Academy for 15 years. As well as supporting students with additional needs, I am also one of the Academy’s ELSAs. I support our students who are experiencing emotional difficulties and help them to develop their emotional skills and find solutions to their problems.
Cheryl Cotterill
Learning Support Assistant / ELSA
I have worked for 27 years at three different schools all on the same site. During this time, I have worked in Primary schools to support SEND students moving up to secondary school, participated on school residentials, and on school trips. I am a qualified ELSA, and have supported students on the Autistic spectrum, students with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and students with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH)
Zoltan Korpa
Learning Support Assistant
I have worked at The Bulwell Academy for almost 10 years.
My role involves providing one to one support and care to a student with disability throughout the school day.
I am also experienced in teaching English as an Additional Language.
Paul McDermott
Learning Support Assistant
I’m in my twelfth year at The Bulwell Academy and, also, a member of the local community.
I strive to be non-judgmental, and to listen and support students to the best of my abilities. The local community is where my heart is, and serving the students of Bulwell is an honour.
Paul Platten
Learning Support Assistant
I have worked at The Bulwell Academy in a number of different roles over the last 17 years. From working with Key Stage 4 students to prepare them for their GCSE exams, to supporting Key Stage 3 students both in class and around school. I enjoy watching students thrive and gain confidence, and enjoy the daily challenges of working at the Academy.
Isaac Stutchbury
Learning Support Assistant
I joined The Bulwell Academy in 2022. I have worked in numerous schools across the Nottinghamshire area, both in primary and secondary education. I enjoy supporting students’ emotional development and strive to see each student work to achieve their potential.
Marie Wilkinson
Learning Support Assistant
I am an accomplished teaching assistant, and work with students with a range of additional and complex needs. I enjoy using my skills to contribute to the exciting and vibrant Bulwell Academy learning community.
I also have additional responsibility for assisting with dyslexia, and support the organisation of dyslexia assessments for all our students.
Jackie Woodward
Learning Support Assistant
I started at The Bulwell Academy in 2009 when it first opened its doors. I am a dedicated and enthusiastic teaching assistant.
I find it very rewarding supporting students with special educational needs and am passionate about supporting students with all aspects of school life.
Julie Jones
Target Support Worker
I have worked in Bulwell for over 23 years and have held several other roles at The Bulwell Academy.
As a Target support worker, I am part of a team responsible for developing SEND transition; ensuring students, parents and carers are fully supported, by building stronger links with primary schools, sharing information, and making certain support is put in place for students ready to start Year 7
