Proprietor & Directors
Debbie Pester - Proprietor / Director
M.Ed. ( E.B.D. & Pastoral Care)
B.Ed. (Special Needs, & Art & Design)
Dip.AD
Member of BAAT
Debbie is the organisation’s Founder and Director. She has vast experience of special needs education, acquired throughout the years, with over 25 years as a head teacher in a range of special schools and units. Her vision of a highly specialist school has become a successful reality and she continues to pioneer new methods and ideas that will help young people reach their full potential.
Debbie may be contacted via email: proprietor@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
B.Ed. (Special Needs, & Art & Design)
Dip.AD
Member of BAAT
Debbie is the organisation’s Founder and Director. She has vast experience of special needs education, acquired throughout the years, with over 25 years as a head teacher in a range of special schools and units. Her vision of a highly specialist school has become a successful reality and she continues to pioneer new methods and ideas that will help young people reach their full potential.
Debbie may be contacted via email: proprietor@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
James Pester - Director / Safeguarding Link Director Level 3
Dip. Ed. ADES (SEN) / M.Ed.
James is a retired special school head teacher who now works as a director and self-employed consultant and advisor to The Yellow House. In partnership with Debbie Pester, James helped to set up The Yellow House and has been involved in the running of the school since that time. He has had a career in working with children with special needs since 1976 in a variety of therapeutic school settings all over the country. For twenty years of that time James was in senior management roles including deputy head teacher and head of education.
James is a retired special school head teacher who now works as a director and self-employed consultant and advisor to The Yellow House. In partnership with Debbie Pester, James helped to set up The Yellow House and has been involved in the running of the school since that time. He has had a career in working with children with special needs since 1976 in a variety of therapeutic school settings all over the country. For twenty years of that time James was in senior management roles including deputy head teacher and head of education.
David Ollier - Head Teacher
| M. Ed. School Guidance and Counselling |
| B. Ed. Social and Environmental Education |
| Level 7 Teaching pupils with Special Education Needs |
| Level 3 Success with People with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) |
| Level 3 Safeguarding Designated Person |
David's has worked across a range of special education provisions and mainstream settings across London, Surrey and Essex. He has been a dedicated teacher for 30 years across 2 continents and has been in Educational Leadership since 2007. David has been Head Teacher at The Yellow House since September 2017 and thoroughly enjoys all the daily challenges of being in this nurturing and vibrant school. His teaching philosophy is about helping all pupils to be the very best version of themselves that they can be. David is always happy to talk and may be contacted via email: headteacher@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
The Senior Team
Chloe - SENDCo
| NASENDCo |
| DELTA: Diploma in Teaching English Language to Adults (Modules 2 & 3) |
| MA 18th Century Studies: Representations and Contexts |
| CELTA: Certificate in Teaching English Language to Adults |
| BA Hons English |
| BA Hons French & Italian |
Chloe joined The Yellow House team as SENDCo and Examinations Officer. Prior to this she has had extensive experience working in various independent, mainstream and international schools with pupils with special needs. She has a proven track record in leading SEND within schools and is a member of our Senior Leadership to ensure that all children receive the provision they need to be successful. Chloe has a strong commitment to social inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable children. Chloe may be contacted via email: senco@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Johdi - Designated Safeguarding Lead
| Level 3 Safeguarding Designated Person |
| First Aid at Work Level 3 |
| Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in English Literature |
| Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in Classics |
Johdi is the Designated Safeguarding Lead at The Yellow House and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Johdi has a varied experience working in a range of fields and is passionate about working with, and helping young people - especially those for whom life presents extra challenges. Johdi believes her values of nurturing, empowering, and celebrating young people align excellently with those of The Yellow House. Johdi is also responsible for the R&R (PSHE) curriculum, Transition and is centre manager for our Sible School. Johdi may be contacted via email: johdi.mennie@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Christine - Senior Team / Business Manager
Christine is the school’s Business Manager and has worked at The Yellow House since it’s first year of opening in 2002. She is based at our main office in our Sible site and oversees all the financial arrangements for the smooth running of our therapeutic school. To contact Christine at our Sible site please phone 01787 462504 or email: office@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Liz - School Administrator
NCFE Level 2 Principles of Business Administration
British Red Cross First Aid at Work
Liz is based at our Clare site. Liz has a vast experience in office management, business administration and reception duties. She is responsible for all the day to day administration of pupil services and has particular responsibility for all processes involved with our pupils education at the school including end of term reports and the organisation and administration of the annual review process for all our pupils on both sites. Liz is a qualified first aider at The Yellow House. To contact Liz at our Clare site please phone 01787 279139 or email: clareoffice@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
British Red Cross First Aid at Work
Liz is based at our Clare site. Liz has a vast experience in office management, business administration and reception duties. She is responsible for all the day to day administration of pupil services and has particular responsibility for all processes involved with our pupils education at the school including end of term reports and the organisation and administration of the annual review process for all our pupils on both sites. Liz is a qualified first aider at The Yellow House. To contact Liz at our Clare site please phone 01787 279139 or email: clareoffice@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Therapeutic Team
Lydia - Therapeutic Lead
Lydia has many years of experience working within therapeutic settings across several schools in Essex and Suffolk. She has a flair for writing therapeutic plans for pupils and in nurturing those who need a little extra support. Lydia is by nature Lydia has a keen interest in theatre and in her spare time has performed in many amateur productions in her home town of Sudbury. Lydia may be contacted via email: lydia.prime@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Phillippa - Therapeutic Tutor
Pippa has many years of experience working in schools. Originally and LSA, then HLTA and eventually an unqualified teacher. Pippa is hardworking and driven and her proven track record working within specialist environments shows her commitment to therapeutic education. Pippa may be contacted via email: phillippa.cheshire@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Stephen - Therapeutic Tutor
With a passion for Science, Stephen has taken on the role of Science tutor at the school. He has previous experience of working in SEN as a student mentor with a popular adventure company. Stephen also has considerable industry experience working for companies as a Lab Technician and he has an excellent subject knowledge in Science. He is excited to be able to create engaging and relevant units of study for our pupils in Biology and Physics. Stephen grew up in the wilds of rural Indonesia and has a passion for all things nature. He has also taken on Outdoor Learning as part of his role. Stephen can be contacted via email: stephen.dickinson@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Joanne - Therapeutic Tutor / Curriculum Lead
Joanne is a fully qualified teacher and has significant experience of teaching all over the world. Joanne will be supporting core subjects and is taking on the role of Curriculum Lead. She has also taken on the role as English Lead and her expertise in curriculum development means that her knowledge can be shared with the rest of the team. Joanne has both personal and professional experience with SEND. Joanne has a caring nature and never stops thinking about how to help our pupils achieve. Joanne may be contacted via email: joanne.dearden@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Daniel - Therapeutic Tutor
Daniel has previous SEN experience and supports the Science lead as well as teaching Music, which is his passion. Dan has several years experience working as an LSA at a large Special Needs School in Chelmsford and his ambition is to become a fully qualified teacher. Daniel is keen to develop the schools music provision and is very versatile in his ability to teach across a range of subjects.
Frances- Therapeutic Tutor
Frances has an education degree and is passionate about nurturing pupils to ensure they have the skills needed to meet the demands of the national curriculum. Fran works across a range of subjects and has a keen interest is therapeutic approaches such as CBT, DBT and art therapy. Frances aims to become an art therapist so she can offer The Yellow House pupils a new way of expressing their thoughts and feelings. Fran can be contacted via email: frances.speary@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk
Sally - Therapeutic Tutor
Sally comes to us with years of experience working in the hair and beauty industry. She transitioned into education four years ago, teaching Maths and English to Apprentice Hair and beauty students in FE Colleges in the Essex. She has a passion for inspiring the next generation of young people while supporting them to develop their confidence and skills in all areas of daily life. Sally is highly trained and experienced and we are delighted to add her to the Yellow House Team. Sally can be contacted via email: Sally.Harris@theyellowhouseschool.org.uk