Meet the Team
The APTCOO team represents education, health and care, private and voluntary sector. Our investment in training and development is exemplary. Each year we support staff and volunteers within their chosen fields of work to develop their skills, qualifications and areas of personal development. We work together with local authorities, colleges and universities providing high quality placements.
Our environment lends itself to research and development, this is recognised and rewarded with qualified therapists spending time with APTCOO to carry out their University placement. Their experience, findings and recommendations for change are transferred into high quality reports shared with the Board and contributing to the future design and business planning of APTCOO.
Leadership and Management Team
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Martin Cope, Health & Safety Lead and Post-16 Enterprise Lead
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Michaela Ledsham, Headteacher and SENCo of the Independent Special School
The Headteacher can be contacted by clicking here​​
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Andy Pressley, EHCP Lead
Charity and School Governing Board
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​The Chair can be contacted by clicking here
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Mike Holmes, Advisory to the Board
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Karen Kilner, Advisory to the Board
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Cath Spencer, Trustee
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Nichola Storey, Trustee
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The Proprietor of the Independent Special School is
A Place To Call Our Own Limited
Administration and Business Support
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Graham Cooper, Caretaker and Transport Support
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Leah Gorstridge, Family Support
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Mike Holmes, IT and Systems Coordinator
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Sam Wright, Admin. & Finance
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Volunteers
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Nigel Burkitt
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Vicky Cooper
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Gary Richards​
Designated Safeguarding Team
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Abby Armstrong - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
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Tracy Ford
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Michaela Ledsham - Designated Safeguarding Lead; Michaela can be contacted by clicking here
Teaching and Support Team
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Abby Armstrong
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Olivia Arrowsmith
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Michael Clarke-Linney
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Tracy Ford
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Rich Hand
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Leanne Howse
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Jonathan Hunt
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Nicola Marsh
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Talia Mumby
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Sophie Price
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Matthew Riley
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Victoria Ryan
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Emma Salt
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Jake Webb
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Richard Wilcock
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Wendy Wilkinson
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Tasha Wright
Workforce Planning
We are committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating neurodiversity in all aspects of APTCOO. We recognise the value that volunteers bring to our services and also to the individuals themselves. Over 50% of the APTCOO workforce started off as volunteers, we support through a comprehensive training, coaching and mentoring programme.
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We take our roles and responsibilities seriously in respect of equality, diversity and inclusion. We also believe that we should use our wider influence as a local partner to secure outcomes for some of the marginalised members of our local communities.
