Leadership Team

Katie holds a First Class Bachelor of Arts degree in Education Studies and is a qualified Makaton Tutor. She has also completed ELKLAN Level 3 training for 3-11-year-olds, specialising in speech, language, and communication needs. With over 15 years of experience as a specialist higher-level teaching assistant, Katie has deep knowledge, and provided targeted support within the EYFS and SEND sectors.

Currently, as a Communication and Language Specialist, she works closely with the central SEND team to assist academies in overcoming barriers posed by speech, language, and communication challenges. Katie joined STEP Academy Trust in 2014, following the academisation of Marshlands Primary School in East Sussex, which later became Phoenix Academy. Prior to this, she had already been contributing to the school for an additional two years.