Our Education Team
At CCL, we recognise that high quality, well-trained staff are crucial to ensuring the best outcomes for our students.
Our multidisciplinary team of tutors, learning support assistants, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists support student learning and offer a range of specialisms. These include profound multiple learning disabilities, communication, severe learning difficulties, visual impairment and autism spectrum disorder.
All staff at our Grafton centre undertake a minimum of five days’ training each year and have access to a wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development.
Meet the team
Tracy Gillett – Director of Education
Tracy is our ultra-organised, enthusiastic Head of Education who has many years’ experience working in the special education sector.
She started her career as an SEN tutor and work experience coordinator at a further education college. After several years as deputy head at a specialist college in Greater Manchester – where she introduced and played a key role in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme – she moved to CCL in 2012.
Tracy is passionate about special education for young adults and has a master’s degree in special educational needs and inclusion from Manchester Metropolitan University and current experience inspecting educational provisions for high-needs students.
She is also a firm believer in the power of drama as a teaching aid and incorporates it into the curriculum wherever possible.
Maria Hynan – Deputy Head of Education
Maria is our approachable and supportive Deputy Head of Education. Her days are filled with teaching, the management of students and staff, and liaising with parents, carers and other professionals.
Before joining us in 2013, Maria was an acute psychiatric nursing assistant for 15 years and the manager of an NVQ assessment centre. She says the best thing about working for CCL is meeting the students and supporting them to develop their independence.
Maria has a Certificate in Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Integrated Children and Young People Practice. She is also a First Aid at Work assessor and internal verifier.
Debbie McDougall – Senior Learning Support Assistant
Debbie has worked at CCL for over ten years and came with a wealth of experience from the care sector. She is the Senior Learning Support Assistant at Grafton and she leads a team of over 25 Learning Support Assistants.
Debbie is part of the quality team at Grafton and takes a lead in mentoring and the continual development and improvement of learning support. Debbie is part of the Safeguarding Team and works with Colleagues across the organisation to ensure the highest standards are implemented and maintained.
Hannah Reynolds – Lead Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
Hannah is our Lead Speech and Language Therapist. She has been working as a Speech and Language Therapist for over 20 years after graduating from Newcastle University in 1998. She has worked all over the country before settling in Shropshire and joining Condover College in 2023.
Hannah is passionate about supporting our learners with their communication skills so they get their voices heard, using whatever means is best for them.
When not at work Hannah is based in rural Shropshire with her family, cat and dogs and enjoys walking, reading and singing
Ceri Cooper – Senior Physiotherapist
Ceri is responsible for the running and development of the Physiotherapy team based at the Hydro Hub. The team works alongside the learners and care staff to enable maximal independence and function.
She qualified at the University of Birmingham after completing a Pre-registration Masters’s in physiotherapy and has since worked with a variety of different patient groups across the Midlands.
Ceri is passionate about person-centred care which involves helping every learner to work towards goals that are personal and meaningful to them. Ceri is leading the Physio team to follow a holistic approach that promotes independence and activity engagement. She believes Physiotherapy should be enjoyable to encourage learners to be physically active and promote health and wellbeing. In her free time, Ceri enjoys spending time on her family’s farm and being out on her bike.
Join our team
If you’re looking for a meaningful role where you can help others reach their potential, take a look at our current vacancies or discover what we offer.