Leadership team

Jon Lees | Director

As well as working in mainstream education Jon has been involved in the development of a co-ed residential SEMH school where he was promoted to senior teacher, he worked as Deputy Head resurrecting another SEMH residential/day school where he then went on to be Headteacher consolidating and further developing successful practice.

Along with his colleague Steve Lord, Jon Lees founded SES in 2004, opening Avocet House in 2005 and he is now, following Steve’s full retirement in 2021, the sole proprietor.  Jon has been Principal of Avocet House and Turnstone House. Jon is currently responsible for the strategy and oversight of SES.

Neil Dawson | Managing Director

Neil joined SES at the outset as Head of Education and took over the Principal role at Avocet House in 2013. After a number of years in that role, Neil became Operational Director in January 2017, overseeing strategic support for the Principals, quality assurance and taking the lead in the oversight and organisation of core training across SES.

Neil also sits on the Children’s Home Association committee and is the regional representative for the East of England. In partnership with the SES Principal, he oversees and runs the day to day operation of SES.

Vicki Collings | Operational Director

Vicki also joined Avocet House at the outset in 2005 as a Deputy Care Manager, which was followed by a number of promotions through Head of Care and Registered Manager, becoming Principal of Avocet House in 2017 taking over from Neil.

In 2018 Vicki took on the dual responsibility of Principal at both locations, due to the incumbent Turnstone House Principal going on maternity leave. During this period Turnstone House’s performance benefitted, cross site initiatives became more efficient and Avocet House maintained its high levels. When the Turnstone House Principal decided not to return from leave and due to the effectiveness of the new structure, SES have decided to keep this as a permanent change from September 2020.

Phil Hinchliffe | Principal

Phil joined SES as the Principal at Avocet House in April 2024 having worked in leadership and headship roles in mainstream and independent schools.

Phil is a qualified teacher and holds NPQH. He has worked mainly with pupils who have been permanently excluded, and pupils with SEND and/or SEMH. Phil believes all children deserve the very best education and care. Phil previously worked in the Prison Service and managed his own business before moving into education in 2010.

Phil has also taught Korean martial arts for over 40 years and is a UK chief instructor.

Sally Blowers | Registered Manager

Sally first worked at Turnstone House as an Assistant Child Care Practitioner having previously worked in education, behaviour support and inclusion.

Since joining SES Sally has been promoted to Personal Tutor and subsequently Deputy Care Manager. She has qualified to become a Thrive practitioner and is dedicated to helping young people dealing with trauma.

In August 2023 Sally was interviewed for Registered Manager and successfully secured the role, starting in her new position in September 2023.

Alan Waldron | Head of Education

Al initially joined SES as the Deputy Head of Education at Avocet House in September 2024 and was promoted to Head of Education in November 2024.

Al is an experienced Headteacher with NPQH. He has worked with young people across all key stages and has specialised in working with those young people who have suffered permanent exclusion, often also displaying SEND and/or SEMH.

Al’s background in Equality and Diversity is the keystone to his ethos and he is extremely committed to providing education that not only increases life chances, but also provides pathways for positive futures for all the young people at Avocet House.

Dan Baldock | Principal

Dan initially joined SES as a Care Worker in 2012. In 2013 he was promoted to the position of Deputy Care Manager at Turnstone House and by 2017 he had taken on the more senior role of Head of Care.

Dan secured the role of Registered Manager at Avocet House in November 2020 and, whilst in this position, he passed his qualification for Team Teach Intermediate Trainer.  He left SES briefly in 2023 to further his career with a larger provider and managed several children’s homes in the East Anglia region.

Dan applied for the role of Principal with SES in November 2023 and was successfully appointed at Turnstone House, starting this senior leadership role in February 2024.  Dan is a strong advocate for the young people and will always put the needs of the young people first.

Laura Atkinson | Registered Manager

Laura joined SES in 2016 as a Personal Tutor and was quickly promoted to Deputy Care Manager. In 2020 she took on the role of Registered Service Manager at SES Kite and was instrumental in setting up our two provisions for care leavers.

Laura returned to Turnstone House in August 2023 to take on the role of Designate Registered Manager. She will lead the care team with her wealth of first-hand experience.

Claire Leeder | Head of Education

Claire joined Turnstone House in January 2024 as Head of Education. Claire has worked in secondary education all her teaching career and specialises in science, however she does also teach DT which includes catering and textiles and engineering.

Claire has worked across an ‘All through school’ setting and within this has been a Head of House which is academic and pastoral.  Claire was also a Faculty Leader, leading a team of staff within different subjects to excel in their outcomes. Claire previously completed work for the British Council, which has resulted in projects linked to Singapore and Estonia.