Leadership & Management
Strong leadership is the foundation of our success
There is a depth of leadership experience and a keen ethos on fostering staff development at Falcons. Led by the Senior Leadership Team, Leadership and Development are at the heart of the annual PDR process for all staff.
All teaching staff are encouraged to take up the Leadership Pipeline and develop their skills in an area of interest. All Teaching Assistants are encouraged to choose qualifications that will upskill them and lead their development. We have supported staff though a number of qualifications including their QTS, their NPQSL, SENCo qualifications, L7 Coaching and Business and Development.
Steve Wash
Director, Proprietor and Principal
An expert in trauma-informed education, Steve is responsible for the management of the school as well as being an English specialist with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management. Having previously worked as a Headteacher and an inspector of SEND provisions, his devotion and dedication to providing tailored education for the learners in the area who struggled in mainstream has seen Falcons Learning grow to the school it is today. His expertise and knowledge of SEND education have helped create a unique and market leading provision here in the East Riding, servicing five different local authorities. Steve has lectured on SEND education at local universities, and is an expert in the business development of SEND provisions. Steve is available to work on a consultancy basis.
Jon Badman
Special Educational Needs Coordinator, DSL & Deputy Principal
A highly-qualified and experienced teaching professional with a portfolio of qualifications and demonstrable experience, Jon is well known and respected within the East Riding’s education circles. He can put his knowledge into practice and adds immense depth to our Senior Leadership Team.
Jo Wash
Parent Liaison and Public Enquiries
As a Director and Proprietor of Falcons Learning, Jo supports the Business Manager and her role is to help everyone access our services by supporting them in the best way possible. She is happy to take admissions questions and general enquiries, is trained in draw and talk and supports staff from the office.
Sam Clare
Assistant Principal, Head of Curriculum, Compliance, Mental Health Lead & Leadership and Development
Sam is a vastly experienced Senior Leader who has worked in the secondary and further education arenas in both state and independent settings. With experience in the curriculum development area, having run several departments, and pastoral area culminating as a Deputy Head of a busy secondary school, his knowledge crosses all areas of education. He has a masters in Occupational Psychology and specialises in Leadership and Development of staff. With a L7 Performance Coaching qualification, Sam offers bespoke and detailed training and guidance programmes for staff, and all areas of compliance and curriculum. Sam is dedicated to developing the Falcons Learning team and the ever evolving curriculum of the school. Sam is available to work on a consultancy basis.
Georgia Spencer
Business Manager
I am the Business Manager and Health and Safety Manager at Falcons Learning and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. In my role, I provide strategic oversight of organisational operations, ensuring that systems, resources, and compliance processes effectively support the delivery of high-quality education and safeguarding standards.
As Health and Safety Manager, I am responsible for maintaining a safe and compliant environment for both learners and staff, embedding robust policies, procedures, and risk management practices across the organisation. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, I work collaboratively to ensure that operational management aligns with the strategic direction and values of Falcons Learning.
I am a postgraduate-qualified strategic leader with a strong focus on organisational effectiveness, governance, and continuous improvement.
Outside of work, I dedicate much of my time to my family and my animals, particularly my horses, including my young horse Goose. My passion for equine care reflects the values I bring to my professional life—patience, resilience, and trust—and reinforces the importance of nurturing growth and building strong relationships.
Isobel Grant
Ark Provision Manager
Izzy Grant is the Ark Provision Manager at Falcons Learning and a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team. She has a strong passion for supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs and is committed to helping every child feel understood, valued and capable of success.
As a qualified Nurture UK practitioner, Izzy’s work is shaped by the belief that positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging are at the heart of effective learning. She focuses on creating environments where children feel safe, supported and confident enough to take the small but important steps that help them move forward.
Outside of her professional role, Izzy is a mum who enjoys spending time with her family. She is passionate about rugby and enjoys following the sport, particularly to Murrayfield, appreciating the teamwork, resilience and determination it represents.
She also loves spending time outdoors and travelling in her campervan exploring the Yorkshire Dales and Scotland. Whether walking, discovering new places or enjoying time in nature, these experiences reflect her adventurous and outdoorsy spirit.
Izzy is also a keen cyclist and has taken part in a number of long-distance cycling challenges, something she enjoys both for the sense of achievement and the opportunity to explore new landscapes.
A much-loved member of the Ark team is Bella, Izzy’s Westie, who often visits the provision and has become something of an Ark mascot. Pupils love Bella’s visits and enjoy having her as part of the Ark team, bringing smiles and calm moments to the day.
For Izzy, supporting children is about helping them rediscover their confidence, develop resilience and begin to believe in what they can achieve.
Our Leadership Pipeline
To foster a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement, we invest in the Falcons Learning Leadership Pipeline - a formalised, evidence-informed programme aligned with national leadership standards and Ofsted's expectations for outstanding provision.
- A structured mentoring programme, delivered across six developmental stages over the academic year
- Regular opportunities for staff to take on meaningful leadership roles and school-wide initiatives
- Alignment with our Performance and Development Review (PDR) system to ensure professional development is targeted, measurable, and impactful
- A leadership portfolio for each participant to track growth, impact, and readiness for progression
Always Improving & Impactful
To ensure that our leadership and management remain highly effective and outward facing, we have put systems in place to adapt, improve and share best practice.
Staff at all levels are empowered to lead change that secures the best possible outcomes, both for our learners and for themselves.
Leadership at Falcons Learning is characterised by:
- Consistent growth over time, with aspiring leaders progressing into more senior responsibilities while maintaining our ethos and driving improvement
- A track record of internal talent development, reducing reliance on external recruitment and enhancing continuity in leadership practice
- The development of leaders who understand their role in shaping curriculum intent, implementation, and impact
- A focus on sustainable leadership, where individuals are supported to grow with confidence, clarity, and care
What does this mean for our school?
We do not believe that leadership is a destination. We think of it as a journey of growth, stewardship and positive influence.
Our Leadership Pipeline ensures this journey is accessible, supported and aligned with our mission to provide exceptional education for every learner.
Our commitment to leadership development ensures:
- A relentless focus on improvement, aligned with our values and driven by evidence.
- Strategic, reflective leadership that builds capacity and resilience across the team.
- A culture of collaboration, accountability, and high expectations.
- Long-term sustainability in leadership, improving staff retention, morale, and impact.