(Brighton + Hove, East Sussex)

My name is Jo Hill and I am the relatively new Principal Manager with responsibility for East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. I have a long career in special educational needs, primarily working within Local Authorities across the South-East.

I am excited to join BrightTeach at a time of great development and look forward to working collaboratively with all tutors to continue offering quality education to those children and young people with SEND currently unable to access traditional school settings.

I am a mum to 2 teenage boys and the proud owner of a large, lazy, chocolate labrador named Teddy.  At weekends you can often find Teddy, myself and my husband catching some fresh sea air on our local beach.

(Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, North-West)

My name is Kim Clayton and I am one of the Principal SEND Managers in BrightTeach. I have worked in education for many years, initially in Early Years and Primary Education before moving into Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within Local Authorities. I am dedicated to supporting children and young people in accessing alternative provision, guiding them through their individual journeys with a focus on inclusion and meaningful outcomes. I am committed to providing consistent, effective support, working collaboratively with families, tutors, and Local Authorities to ensure the delivery of high-quality provision.

Outside of work, I am a mother of three children and have three dogs. I keep myself active through playing netball, going to the gym, and long walks with my family.

(West Sussex)

I’m Kayley, Principal SEND Manager and Deputy DSL for BrightTeach. My experience includes working for a charity supporting people with profound and complex learning disabilities, managing safeguarding and community engagement for an online company and working in schools. I worked in a specialist school for 9 years, 4 of which I was in the senior leadership team as deputy head of school and designated safeguarding lead.

I believe in putting the individual needs of young people at the heart of everything we do. I’m thankful to be working for an alternative provision where we have an opportunity to support families and improve outcomes for young people.

In my spare time I enjoy exploring the countryside in Sussex and spending time with friends and family.

I'm Kirstie, the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Principal Service Lead for BrightTeach.

With over 30 years of experience in the SEND sector, my career has progressed from teaching to serving as the Headteacher of a specialist provision. I have extensive experience supporting learners with diagnoses of ASD, ADHD, and SEMH, as well as those navigating trauma and challenging behaviours. Additionally, I am a qualified SENCO.

Throughout my career, including senior roles within local authority SEND teams across the Southeast, I have remained dedicated to a child-centered approach. It is a privilege to watch our learners grow and achieve, and I am committed to setting aspirational outcomes and providing personalised opportunities by bringing my school-based expertise to my work here at BrightTeach.

When not at work I enjoy the Sussex countryside, both on foot and cycling .

I've been working for BrightTeach since 2020, starting as a humble freelance digital marketer before moving to a full-time role. Being a part of what was (at the time) a fledgling business meant I got to try out a number of different roles and responsibilities, and I found I had a natural affinity for the 'tutor' side of the business, identifying and recruiting amazing SEND tutors from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Along with the rest of the BrightTeach management team past + present, I helped foster a new 'era' of the business, moving into the Alternative Provision sector to support SEND students across the country. I now recruit and manage our team of SEND Tutors, ensuring they’re looked after and well-equipped to support the needs of our students.

In my free time I dabble in composing for film (I have to put my Music MA to use somehow!), and playing games, whether that be video, board or tabletop.

(Brighton + Hove, East Sussex)

My name is Sam Palmer, and I joined the BrightTeach Team as a Senior SEND Manager in September 2025.  I have a long career in Education, specialising in SEND. Before joining BrightTeach, I worked as a Neurodevelopmental Consultant in West Sussex Local Authority, supporting children/young people and families with SEND, delivering training to Education Professionals, Children's Social Care, and Medical/Healthcare professionals within the NHS around SEND, Neurodiversity and Mental Health. 

 I am a mum to 2 children, now grown adults, and Bowie, my dog who I rescued from Spain 8 years ago.  We enjoy going for walks which, to be honest, Bowie takes me for a walk rather than the other way round!

(West Sussex)

I’m George, Senior SEND Manager, and I’ve been part of the BrightTeach team since 2021. My background includes youth work and pastoral care, and I really value building strong, trusting relationships with everyone that I work with and support. My focus is on making sure the right support is in place and that families feel listened to and supported throughout.

Outside of work, I’m a mum to three sons, an avid Spotify playlist creator/vinyl collector and beach lover.

The quote I endeavour to motivate my days is: 'Do little things with great love'

(West Sussex)

I joined BrightTeach in 2026 in the role of Senior SEND Manager. I bring many years of experience working with young people who have a wide range of learning and special educational needs. I am a qualified Trauma Informed Practitioner and have held both teaching and senior leadership roles across SEMH, Alternative Provisions and multi-agency settings.

My belief is that all children deserve an educational journey in which they are supported to thrive and have their unique needs met. Being part of the BrightTeach team means supporting children and young people to rediscover the joy of learning.

When not at work I enjoy being outside, volunteering at the local Nature Reserve and mastering the perfect bake…

(Brighton + Hove, East Sussex)

I’ve been involved in BrightTeach projects since 2018 and officially joined the SEND team in 2023 as a full-time SEND Manager. It’s been amazing to see how much BrightTeach has grown over the years and the number of learners we’ve been able to support - I feel really grateful to be part of that journey.

My background is in student support and operations, with a passion for understanding the bigger picture around people. I’m particularly interested in how clear systems and strong relationships can work together to create more stable and effective provision, helping ensure all young people have fair access to education.

Outside of work, I’m based in Brighton and love bringing people together. If I’m not organising systems at work, I’m probably organising some kind of event or get-together in my spare time!

(Brighton + Hove, East Sussex)

Hi, my name is Charlie and I am part of the SEND manager team here at BrightTeach.

I have worked across SEND provision for 21 years, and part of that time was spent creating and building my own nurture provision for primary aged children and their families. This has enabled me to build hands-on work and leadership experience, giving me a really rich understanding of what children and families need for long-term success. I have also worked across many secondary SEMH schools, delivering bespoke programmes of vocational learning.

I am a mum of 2 children, I have two dogs and in my spare time I enjoy keeping fit and shopping!

(Brighton + Hove, East Sussex)

I’m Will, a SEND Manager at BrightTeach, where I oversee the delivery of tuition for students with additional needs. My role focuses on supporting tutors, maintaining quality across the provision, and ensuring students receive consistent, personalised support.

I previously worked as a tutor for BrightTeach and later as Head of Teaching, which gives me a practical understanding of the day-to-day challenges in delivering effective lessons. Alongside this, I’ve worked as a Product Manager within BrightTeach, helping to develop and improve our systems and learning offer.

I’ve also been involved in building BrightTeach’s tutoring subscription, which aimed to make structured academic support more accessible to students.
Outside of work, I enjoy 60s music, motor racing, and spending time with my two cats.

(West Sussex)

I’m Wil, a SEND Manager here and I joined BrightTeach in 2025, bringing with me a strong background in education and a passion for inclusive learning. My experience spans Alternative Provision, where I developed a deep understanding of how to support diverse learner needs, as well as quality assurance roles focused on maintaining high standards and delivering impactful teaching.

I’ve worked in the education sector for over a decade across a variety of roles, including delivering Hospitality Apprenticeships, teaching Functional Skills, and leading Art sessions in Alternative Provision across several London boroughs. More recently, I specialised in Teacher Development and Internal Quality Assurance, helping educators refine their practice and ensure consistently high-quality provision.

Outside of work, I enjoy swimming, collecting vinyl records, attending live music events, and creating collage-based artwork.

(West Sussex)

I am Liv, and I have been part of the BrightTeach team for over a year as a SEND Manager.

I have a background in supporting young people with SEND and their families. I have worked in several local SEND schools as a Teaching Assistant, where I supported students with a range of needs. I also bring experience from youth settings and working with looked-after children.

I am passionate about supporting young people to feel safe, understood, and able to engage in learning in a way that works for them. I value building strong relationships with families and professionals to create consistent, supportive provision.

Outside of work, I enjoy keeping busy with creative projects, especially renovating my home and trying out new ideas. I also love shopping and fashion.