Justin Davey, Principal
Justin has worked in education for 28 years, and has held leadership positions as a Vice Principal, Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and Operations Manager, across mainstream and special schools. He has trained and worked with Ofsted as an inspector and supported schools with improvement strategies.
Justin Holds the following professional qualifications: BSC (Hons) in Analytical Chemistry, Post Graduate Certificate in Education, National Professional Qualification for Headteachers, National Professional Qualification for School Inspection
01454 412 194
Justin’s PA: claire.nolan@sheilingschool.org.uk
Dean Frances-Hawksley, Head Teacher
Dean has worked in a range of roles in SEN education for over twenty years, including LSA, Assistant Teacher, Class Teacher, Education Co-ordinator, Assistant and Deputy Head, and now Head Teacher. In this time he has worked with the full spectrum of ages, needs and abilities (including pupils with ASD, ADHD, DS, Attachment Disorder and SEMH issues), the common thread being challenging behaviour. Throughout, Dean has worked closely with the Steiner Waldorf approach and is a trained Waldorf Teacher. Dean first came to the Sheiling School in 2000 in the role of class teacher. After a period of living abroad, he returned to the Sheiling School for a short period as Class Teacher. In 2017 he was appointed Assistant Head, became Deputy Head in 2018 and was appointed as Head Teacher in February 2019.
Dean completed the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers. He qualified as a Steiner Teacher from the West of England Steiner Teacher Training. Dean also has a first class BA Honours degree on Film and Literature and an MA by Research in Film from the University of Warwick.
01454 412 194
deanfh@sheilingschool.org.uk
Victoria Welsh, Head of Care
Victoria has worked in Residential schools for over 28 years, first as a support worker, then Team Leader, Deputy House Manager/House Manager, Care Coordinator and now as a Head of Care and Registered Manager She joined the Sheiling School in 2016 as a Bank worker and then a permanent position as Care Coordinator over-seeing the running of the Children’s home. Both provisions she has worked at have followed the Curative ethos of Rudolf Steiner.
Victoria has supported children and teenagers with a wide range of abilities and needs which include ASD, SLD, ADHD, SEMH, Attachment Disorder, challenging behaviours and physical disabilities
Victoria has a NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management, Health and Social Care and Diploma in Curative Education.
01454 412 194
victoria.welsh@sheilingschool.org.uk
Noah Black, Head of Safeguarding
Noah has more than 15 years experience working in several Camphill Communities.
Noah has a BA Degree in German Studies and a BA degree in Curative Education. Noah is also a Team-Teach accredited Advanced Tutor.
01454 412 194
noah.black@sheilingschool.org.uk
Sam Hembury, Head of Resource
Sam has worked in facilities management for over 15 years, with more than 10 of those in SEN schools. His extensive experience, which also includes working for local authorities and security companies, has provided Sam with the professional knowledge needed to carry out strategic and day-to-day level facilities management, project management, overseeing of multiple new builds, and working with listed buildings.
Sam holds a NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and is a Technical Member with IOSH (TechIOSH).
01454 412 194
sam.hembury@sheilingschool.org.uk
Syl Edgeley, Staff Support Lead & Family Liaison
Syl has over 40 years of experience in Special Education and for the majority of the time she has lived and worked in at the Sheiling School in Care as a Volunteer, Houseparent, Head of Care and Lead Safeguarding Officer. Syl was appointed in her current role in 2014. Prior to coming to Thornbury in 1977, Syl worked in the field of social care with young adults in other non-Anthroposophical communities with a focus on mental health.
Syl holds NVQ 4 in Health and Social Care (Children and Young people) as well as the Registered Manager Award (Adults). She has completed both the 3 year Camphill Course in Remedial Education and Proficiency in Curative Education.
01454 412 194
syl.edgeley@sheilingschool.org.uk
Lahiru Peiris, Finance Manager
Lahiru has 12+ years of experience in accounting and finance. He was a head of finance from 2018 in private companies and joined Sheiling School in 2022 as Finance Manager.
Lahiru has ACCA, ACA and BBA(finance) qualifications.
01454 412 194
finance@sheilingschool.org.uk
Sarah Patten, Head of Fundraising
With a career that spans over 25 years within the education sector, Sarah brings an extensive wealth of professional experience, having served in various capacities in both the state and independent sectors. Her previous roles have included business manager, teacher, and more recently, a marketing and communications strategist, where she has been instrumental in developing marketing strategies for both the UK and international markets as well as commercial and development projects.
Prior to her current position as Head of Fundraising at Sheiling School, Sarah held the role of Head of Marketing & Communications at Kingswood School, an independent day and boarding school found in the heart of Bath. Over the course of a decade, she played a pivotal role in guiding departments within the expansive landscape of the Kingswood Foundation, thereby making a significant contribution to the thriving educational community on a global scale.
Sarah holds a BA(Hons) in Business Management, a PGCE in Education, and a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, which supports her ability in her field but also a commitment to continuous learning and sharing her skills with others. She has volunteered at Mentoring Plus, in Bath and with the Chartered Institute of Marketing as Vice Chair, all of which support her personal values of giving back to the community.
01454 412 194
fundraising@sheilingschool.org.uk