Meet the Pastoral Team
Mel - Assistant Pastoral Manager/Deputy DSL
I have worked with children and young people aged between birth and 16 years since 2004 in a range of roles including nursery manager, and an early help worker. I was a Pastoral Support and Welfare Specialist at Pilgrim for 4 years and before taking on the role of Assistant Pastoral Manager and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in September 2022.
I have been married to my husband who serves in the armed forces since 2007 and together we have our teenage son. Over Covid I decided to take on the new challenge of being an adult university student while working full time and I successfully graduated with a BA Hons in Professional Studies Childhood and youth.
The pupils at Pilgrim have nicknamed me the Pilgrim mum due to my caring and nurturing nature that tries to find a positive in every situation. I am passionate about my job and put my all into fighting for the best interests of the pupils. I am very approachable, and I am always at the end of the phone for additional support if its required.
Chloe B - PSWS
I'm Chloe B - always need to specify as there is so many Chloe's! I have worked at the Pilgrim school since 2018, I have always worked in a social care role and I love my role as a PSWS.
I really enjoy the variety of my role and getting to know all pupils that I work with. I like being outside and being busy - you will often find me in kitchen baking or making a cuppa. I am always looking for new things to watch so let me know your suggestions and my favourite member of the staff team is Otto but don't tell anyone else!
Chloe M - PSWS
I have always wanted to work with children since picking my options back in year 9. I started off my career by studying a diploma at sixth form looking into Early Years Education. I carried out placements in primary schools and nurseries. From there I went to university and graduated with a BA Honours in Early Child Studies. While I was studying, I was working in a year 6 classroom as a 1-1. During my first year there I supported a student with Dyslexia. In my second year I supported a student with cerebral palsy, helping them with their physio, writing and catch-up lessons. A highlight was taking him on a year 6 residential trip to PGL and helping him complete all the actives.
Once graduated I started working at the Pilgrim school as a TA and worked my way up to the role I do now. I have enjoyed every second of it. Supporting our cohort to achieve their goals and to see them leave us with a bit of hope and courage to try something new.
Chrissy - PSWS
Before I worked in education, I owned a hair and beauty salon. My eldest son was then diagnosed with Autism. I didn’t know what this was but knew that I was in for a difficult time. So, I sold my salon and dedicated 2 years to learning about autism and teaching my son how to work with his triggers. I was told that my son would not be suited to mainstream school. I fought this and he is now in his last year at university where he also lives with friends.
I then realised my passion for working with young people and in particular autism. Anything is possible if we believe in ourselves and each other. I have now worked in education for over 12 years. I have done many separate roles in many unique styles of schools. I have been learning support, ELSA support, Teacher of cooking, Teacher of hairdressing, Teacher of Beauty Therapy and now PSWS.
I have always been passionate about helping people as I believe that we are all in this together and we should always try to help each other. I have worked closely with many charities and even founded a charity that helps support families with the cost of school uniforms and the general cost of living.
Since working at the Pilgrim school in my pastoral role, I feel that I have really found where I want to be in my career and thoroughly enjoy working with our team and the young people that we are privileged to work with. The unique style and relentless effort that our team put in to educating our young people, makes me so proud to say “I work at the Pilgrim School”.
Gary - Home PSWS
Hello. My name is Gary. I have worked for young people throughout my career and I am now enjoying my role as Pastoral Support & Wellbeing Specialist at The Pilgrim School, whilst also enjoying semi-retirement.
When I am not working I spend a lot of time in the countryside, with a particular interest in birds, butterflies and moths. I also play walking football and I am a mad keen supporter of Everton, because I was brought up close to Liverpool. I have been a teacher, youth worker, manager of family support services and worked for various Councils, the NSPCC and the YMCA. I also believe that every person is different and it’s that difference that makes us all special.
Hope - Training & Development Officer
My name is Hope and I am (now) a trainee English Teacher. I have worked at Pilgrim for almost 10 years, in a variety of roles, my most recent being a Training and Development Adviser delivering education and mental health related training internally and to schools and teaching alliances throughout Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
I have been in the education field for about 25 years. Prior to moving to Lincoln many years ago, I worked in Berkshire for an educational charity, working in a number roles supporting young people, my last post being a SEND Adviser.
I'm good at spelling and remembering random but useless facts.
Jaimee - PSWS
I started my career as a care assistant, working in a residential home and school for young people with Autism, ADHD and associated complex needs. While in this role, I realised the importance of supporting positive outcomes and moved to the clinical team where I worked as a therapies assistant. I gained a lot of experience working alongside professionals such as speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, psychotherapist and more. I coordinated interventions and worked closely with the young people to support their independence and resilience.
I moved to Pilgrim in 2023 with the same aspirations, to support positive outcomes for young people. Every day I can see the positive impact our school has on the students who attend, and it is lovely to see their confidence, independence and well-being improve as they learn with us.
I have enjoyed working with this cohort of young people so much that I have decided I would like to further my career within this field and have enroled on to a foundation degree for children and young people (SEND) and will be studying to achieve a BA Hons in SEND Education.
Jan - Home PSWS
Hello, my name is Jan. Having had various roles in education over a number of years, this is the most rewarding one yet. I am now in my second year at Pilgrim and, as a PSWS, it is great to be able to plan my visits and activities specifically around the individual needs of the student. It is lovely to see how over time, these students can start to believe in themselves more. When the right support is put in place they can also start to hope more. Hope is so important, and pathways vary significantly.
When I’m not working, I enjoy walking my dog, Teddy. Unfortunately, his favourite occupation seems to be eating anything he can find when we are out! I also enjoy travelling, walking netball, and playing scrabble.
I was brought up with hope - in the Hope Valley!
John B - PSWS
More information coming soon!
Lynne - PSWS
My name is Lynne and I am a Pastoral Support & Welfare Specialist at the Baumber Base, I'm married and I have two children, aged 18 and 16, 3 dogs, a rabbit, and a tortoise.
I started off in Early Years before working at a mainstream secondary school as a teaching assistant. I have been with Pilgrim School for a few years now and thoroughly enjoy my role working with our amazing students and watching how they grow in confidence whilst learning. I enjoy walking, swimming and family days out, although now they are getting older they are not as keen as I am!
Kat - PSWS
Hi, I'm Kat, Pastoral Support and Welfare Specialist. I have been at the school since 2017. Prior to this I worked at a secondary school and before that Children's Services as an Early Help Worker.
I studied Theatre In Education at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. I love going out with friends and family, socialising and having fun.
I love Pilgrim School because everyone is accepted for who they are and supported to bring out the best in them.
Lisa - PSWS
Hi, I’m Lisa. I’ve been working at The Pilgrim School since 2018. For most of my time at the school I have been a PSWS, but recently, I have been completing my teacher training to become an English teacher, which I love! More than anything else in my time at the school, I have loved watching the pupils that we support grow physically, mentally and socially.
When I am not at school I love spending time with my family taking my dog to the beach or the woods, or hanging out and watching films together.
Lynda - Home PSWS
Hi, I have worked in schools for over 5 years now and love helping children who struggle to access education. With two girls of my own, we enjoy walking our two dogs Ernie and Purdy and watching films. When I'm not at work I play Netball and go to exercise classes twice a week. During the holidays I like to travel as much as I can and read lots of books.
Ros - Home PSWS
My name is Ros and I have worked at the Pilgrim School for over three years as a Pastoral Support and Welfare Specialist and thoroughly enjoy it!
I have two grown up children and a very naughty 13yr old dog called Audrey.
I am semi -retired so in my spare time I enjoy going away with my husband and Audrey in our campervan or playing golf. I like most sports, reading, watching films and meeting my friends.
I love what we offer at Pilgrim and it enables me to meet the most interesting people.
To quote Ted Lasso (the best programme ever) 'All people are different people'.
Serina Smith - Home PSWS
I’ve worked in primary and secondary education, within varying roles, across all ages from 7 to 18.
As a PSWS, my days are always varied and rewarding. I believe Pilgrim, and the flexibility we are able to offer, is simply brilliant and the reason our role within the home tuition team, works so well.
When I’m not working, I love family-time with my two sons and dog, Bear. I enjoy movies, reading, music and travelling to new places.
Vicki S - School Counsellor
Hi, I'm Vicki and I have worked at The Pilgrim School since 2009! For 10 years I worked as a Reintegration & Support Officer (now called PSWS) before completing my post-graduate diploma in Counselling and setting up the counselling service in school.
I love Pilgrim and all it stands for, meeting individual pupils at their unique starting point and seeing the journeys that everyone here goes on.
Outside of Pilgrim, I enjoy swimming, being with my family and listening to music.