Welcome to
Heartwood House

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Welcome to Heartwood House

At the centre of every tree, you’ll find its heartwood, the strongest part of the tree. Welcome to Heartwood House, where the core of our approach is as enduring and resilient as the heartwood at the centre of a mighty tree. Just as heartwood provides strength and stability, our unique and friendly educational environment offers a solid foundation for students who have stepped away from traditional paths, fostering growth, resilience, and a deep-rooted sense of belonging.

Here’s a bit about us

At Heartwood House, we recognise that mainstream schooling isn’t suitable for everyone. Many of our students have faced challenges and disappointments in conventional education settings, feeling unheard and undervalued. Our approach is distinctively nurturing and student-centred, focusing on creating a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment where every student feels valued and listened to. By fostering strong, supportive relationships, we encourage our students to explore their interests and engage with learning at their own pace, driven by curiosity and a desire for personal growth. We emphasize the importance of voluntary participation and self-motivation, ensuring our students understand they are an integral part of our community by choice. At Heartwood House, learning is a pathway to a more positive future, crafted with the student’s voice and aspirations at the forefront.

At Heartwood House, learning is a pathway to a more positive future, crafted with the student's voice and aspirations at the forefront.

Meet the team

We have a small team at Heartwood House including teachers, therapists and student support, in a mixture of full-time and part-time roles.

Chris Seymour

Executive Headteacher

Heartwood House is a place where you can be yourself without fear of…

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Erika Day

Centre Headteacher, Kenton Road

Heartwood House is a homely place with an amazing…

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Caroline Gordon

Centre Headteacher, Roxborough Road

I am so proud to work at Heartwood House! There is…

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Deb Garfield

Centre Headteacher, Off-site provision

I love working at Heartwood House because we can create…

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Sarah Neckles

Deputy Head, Kenton Road

Being part of such a nurturing community dedicated…

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Cinzia Planiscig

Deputy Head, Roxborough Road

I feel incredibly honoured to work at Heartwood House…

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Ed Faulkner

Deputy Head, Off-site provision

It has been an incredible journey for me since starting…

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Julie Newell

HR & Operations Manager

Over the course of my career, I’ve been fortunate to traverse…

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Ela Ward

Lead Therapist

My role at Heartwood House involves managing a wonderful…

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Meet The Team

Is Heartwood House right for you?

Heartwood House is not for one ‘type’ of student. The students that come here have many different backgrounds and have had different experiences of traditional schools. The one thing that they share is that for whatever reason, mainstream school hasn’t worked for them, and they need a different approach in order to progress. Heartwood House is for students that want to come to school, but need an environment that is warm, informal and nurturing – one that places as much emphasis on their wellbeing as it does on their academic achievement.

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Chris Seymour

Heartwood House is a place where you can be yourself without fear of judgement. It’s a place where teachers and students get to know one another and work together collaboratively. Where else can you come to school and fill a classroom with 500 balloons, take a dog for a walk or find out that your English classroom has been turned into an escape room!? Before Heartwood House, I spent eight years in a mainstream school as a Head of Year and Sociology teacher. I spent most of my days running round the school to find students that the headteacher had seen with their top button undone or their shirt untucked.

When I worked in a mainstream school, I didn’t even know that schools like Heartwood House existed. I could see that the school I was at didn’t work for lots of students, but I didn’t think there was anywhere else that they could go that would be better for them. When I found out about Heartwood House, it opened my eyes to a whole different way of helping and educating young people. I have lots of different responsibilities at Heartwood House, so my days can be quite varied (which I love). I meet the staff lots to discuss how the students are doing.

I spend a lot of time working with the senior leadership team to make sure that Heartwood House is a nice place for the students and the staff. I try to spend as much time as I can visiting lessons and chatting in the community room. One of my favourite parts of my week is going to Outdoor Education, where we do all kinds of fun activities like cooking on a bonfire, canoeing on a lake and building things like bird-boxes and insect hotels. This past year, my main job has been working with Julie and Cathy to get the new building ready! Outside of work, I love to see my friends, go cycling (when I’m not being too lazy), and make and listen to music. I have a dog called Lola who I like taking on long walks.

Erika DaY

Heartwood House is a homely place with an amazing community to be part of because emotional well-being is a priority and when young people feel good they show their talents, develop their skills and learn in a way that will serve them well in their future.

Since qualifying in 2000 with a BA QTS with History, I have enjoyed teaching and leading in education. I led various subjects and whole school initiatives, one of my favourites was developing school partnerships with families where we fostered a holistic approach to students success and building a school community. In 2018, I became a Deputy Headteacher and in 2019, I qualified as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), expanding my expertise in supporting young people with diverse strengths and barriers.

I wanted to work at Heartwood House because I am driven by a heartfelt dedication for education to be inclusive for young people and being part of a team who offer an alternative to a mainstream setting.

As a Deputy Headteacher, my days are filled with promoting the smooth running of the Kenton Road centre. I’m here to support students and teachers alike, making sure our centre is a positive and respectful place for everyone.

As a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), I team up with the students, families, teachers and specialists to target support for students and review Educational, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

Outside of the centre I enjoy spending time with my children, family and friends. I like to go for city and country walks, visit the theatre and watch films.

Caroline Gordon

I am so proud to work at Heartwood House! There is a wonderful sense of community here and everyone is valued as an individual. It is so rewarding to see our students grow and build their confidence in so many ways.

I come from a background in mainstream schools both in London and the US, and I have a particular interest in curriculum design and development. My Masters from the Institute of Education, UCL, taught me to ask and answer the big-picture questions, and through my curriculum role here, I hope to further develop the opportunities provided to our students.

My days as a Centre Headteacher are never quite the same, but I always look forward to greeting the students in the morning, dropping into lessons, and working closely with the rest of the staff to continually review our provision, ensuring our students feel safe, secure, and happy in their education.

Outside of school, I love watching sport and hold a season ticket to Fulham FC. I enjoy walking, listening to audiobooks or podcasts, and baking.

Deb Garfield

I love working at Heartwood House because we can create a curriculum and environment that matches the needs and aspirations of the individual student and adapt it as and when their needs change. I first started in education in 2003 as an English teacher, then moved to Assistant Head in Cumbria leading on literacy, SEND and Pastoral. I joined an accelerated Headship Programme (Future Leaders) in 2011 and became a Deputy Head in Lancashire, again focusing on Pastoral/Behaviour/SEND. I spent seven years as Head Teacher in a 5-16 pupil referral unit in Essex. Now I work three days a week as Head of the Off-Site Provision at Heartwood House, and two days a week working in the SEMH Strategy Team for Essex County Council. 

I came to Heartwood House because I wanted to have the freedom to put the needs and the aspirations of individual young people first in all decision making, rather than having to look at decisions being made in the best interest of a group, or even in the best interest of the school. Heartwood House gives me the flexibility to do what I think is right for young people. Day to day, my job consists of a lot of emails, online meetings and phone calls! With Ed (Deputy, Off-site Provision), I manage off-site provision for more than 20 young people which means liaising with parents, tutors, carers, mentors and other provisions on a daily basis. I also go to Outdoor Pursuits on a Wednesday (when I can!) and work with some young people on a 1:1 basis (which is my favourite bit of the job!).

Outside of work, I like being busy with Mabel (Therapy whippet). I run a dog ramblers group for local people so we’re out walking every Saturday and Sunday as a group. I like to read (I’m an English teacher), do tapestry and socialise with my friends. I love the theatre, music and festivals in the summer.

Sarah Neckles

Being part of such a nurturing community dedicated to empowering young people to reach their full potential is why I truly love my job. I have the opportunity to work with some of the most incredible staff and students and have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of our holistic approach. Heartwood House encourages the students to navigate their own learning journey whilst developing an understanding of the interconnectedness of wellbeing, personal development and academic achievement. This approach aligns with my own belief that every individual has the potential to thrive when given the right environment, support and opportunities.

My own journey with Heartwood House began as a Student Support/Mentor, a role in which I was able to build relationships with the students and recognise the importance of a dedicated space to relax, recharge and refocus. This led to the creation of my wellbeing role, which has become an integral part of what we offer. By providing regular wellbeing sessions I aim to help the students develop healthy habits, manage stress and anxiety and cultivate a growth mindset.  

The additional role of Lead Mentor was a natural next step for me and helped me to prepare for a more senior role. I feel extremely grateful to have built such strong relationships with our phenomenal staff team and endeavour to support them to flourish whilst fostering our unique and nurturing environment as Centre Deputy.

Outside of work I enjoy cooking, hosting, spending time with my children and socialising with my family and friends.

Cinzia Planiscig

I feel incredibly honoured to work at Heartwood House, a place where every student’s voice is genuinely heard and respected. Caring for our students’ wellbeing is at the core of who I am and everything I do, and I’m proud to be part of a community that shares those values.
My path into education began in 2005 when I qualified as a Teacher of English as an Additional Language, and I was fortunate to teach in Italy, Portugal, and England. Those experiences opened my eyes to the many ways children learn, express themselves, and connect. In time, I realised that what truly inspires me is supporting students’ emotional wellbeing and helping them feel safe, understood and empowered.


After spending several years in mainstream settings as a Specialist SEN Support Mentor, I discovered Heartwood House and it felt like the perfect home for my passion and purpose. Supporting our amazing students as they navigate their feelings and emotions, promoting their social and emotional growth, and helping create a positive environment for learning is deeply rewarding work. I am pleased to continue in this capacity while stepping into the additional responsibility of Centre Deputy.


For the past three years, I’ve had the joy of being Lead Mentor, a role that has shaped me both personally and professionally. It prepared me for this next chapter, and I’m excited to build even stronger connections with our students, their families, and amazing staff. I truly couldn’t be happier to continue growing alongside this wonderful community.


Outside of work, I love singing and have been in choirs since childhood. Thanks to music I performed in incredible places across Europe, from Vatican City and the Royal Albert Hall to Vienna and Disneyland Paris to name a few. I also cherish travelling and spending time with my family and friends.

Ed Faulkner

It has been an incredible journey for me since starting Heartwood House. I feel privileged to be part of such a motivated and caring team and I am so proud of the work that we do with our learners.

The reason I love working for Heartwood House is the ethos that is at the core of everything we do. I feel the morals at the heart of the organisation align perfectly with my own.

I have worked in education for the last 18 years in a number of differing provisions. It has always been a belief of mine that education should not have a one size fits all approach but rather be tailored to support students to achieve within the context of their own ability. Heartwood House recognises these needs and stands alongside its students to ensure that they have every opportunity to reach their goals.

In my role I have been fortunate to work with incredible young people. As our learners aren’t based in the centres, I enjoy visiting them at home and at their alternate provisions, working closely with their tutors to help them access all the different facets of the curriculum.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and attending my local gym. Music and self-care are hugely important to me and I try to spend any free time using these as a means to reflect and remain grounded.

Julie Newell

Over the course of my career, I’ve been fortunate to traverse various roles that have contributed significantly to my professional journey. From my impactful tenure as a Service Manager at Mencap, where I supported adults with learning disabilities to live independently, attain employment, and access education, to venturing into entrepreneurship with my own childminding business, each endeavour has enriched me with invaluable skills and profound experiences.

What initially captivated me about Heartwood House was its unparalleled approach to education, setting it apart as an extraordinary learning environment. At Heartwood House, the primary focus on student well-being stands out prominently, reflecting a genuine commitment to nurturing and supporting every individual within the community.

My role as a Centre Deputy at Heartwood House is a dynamic and ever-evolving one, reflecting the diverse and inclusive nature of our community. Each day presents unique challenges and opportunities as I navigate a range of responsibilities tailored to meet the individual needs of our students. Serving this vibrant and diverse community allows me to continuously grow and contribute positively to the evolving educational landscape at Heartwood House.

Ela Ward

My role at Heartwood House involves managing a wonderful team of therapists and making sure that all our students are able to access therapy if they choose to. Alongside working with many of our students, I offer family work where appropriate and provide therapeutic input into our community at Heartwood House to ensure that we are working in a trauma-informed way.

I completed my MA qualification in art psychotherapy in 2018 and I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT). Since qualifying, I have been fortunate to work with children and adolescents in various settings including the NHS and the charity sector. Prior to working at Heartwood House, I have worked extensively with children affected by parental substance misuse, sexual and criminal exploitation, as well as young people who have experienced developmental trauma.

When I first heard about Heartwood House, I was drawn to the organisation as I believe that being part of a strong, supportive community is a crucial aspect of improving health and wellbeing. I was excited to be part of a community that has such a holistic and psychologically-informed approach to the care of the young people they support. I also just felt the warmth as soon as I walked through the front door on the day of my interview!