Meet the team

Joan Pearson, School Principal

Joan has been involved with the education of young people with autism for more than 24 years and her experience has been focused within the residential school setting. Joan started out as a class teacher, with youngsters with autism and complex needs including severe learning difficulties, and progressed though to becoming a senior teacher and then the deputy head of a residential special school. She joined Rugeley Horizon School in 2005 and worked closely at this time with parents and families in a supportive role. She became principal of the school in 2009.

 

Christine Peake, Registered Manager (Mayfield Residence)

Christine has worked with children and young people with ASD since 1994. She began her work at Westwood School in Rugeley where she took on the role of support worker, working her way up to house manager. When Westwood closed, Christine worked for Social Services as a shift leader at a care home in Codsall. She joined Rugeley Horizon (Mayfield) in February 2005 as deputy coordinator where she gained her NVQ level 4. She worked her way up to registered manager in March 2010.     

 

Laura Rider, Registered Manager (Crescent Residence)

Laura has worked with children and young people with ASD since 1998. She began her work at London Hall Schools’ senior school Eastfields near Rugeley. She initially began her career in the equestrian department, where she was a riding therapist’s assistant, supporting young people with their riding lessons and stable duties. In 2000 she then had a change of direction within the school and took on the role of a support worker. When Eastfields closed she transferred to Rugeley Horizon School. Laura worked for Social Services in a children’s home in Codsall near Wolverhampton in the same role with additional shift leader responsibilities before returning to Rugeley Horizon in May 2004 in a senior position. During this time she has gained her NVQ level 4 in care and management and she has worked her way up over the years to becoming a registered manager in March 2010.