Sophie Ross - Head of School at Vauxhall

I joined Octavia House Schools in 2021 as a class teacher and have since progressed to Head of School at our Vauxhall site, the primary provision in London. My journey within the organisation has been shaped by a commitment to supporting children with complex needs and a passion for inclusive education. Prior to joining Octavia House, I worked as a primary school teacher and supply teacher, gaining broad experience across all key stages.

Veronica Munoz Soto - Assistant Head at Vauxhall 

I joined Octavia House Schools in 2023 as a qualified teacher and have progressed to roles including Mathematics Lead across our six school sites, Senior Teacher, and, from 2025, Assistant Head at the Vauxhall site.I lead SMSC across the school, including oversight during a successful ISI inspection. Drawing on my background in Theology and Religious Studies, I promote a relationships-first, inclusive approach, celebrate the diversity of our school community, and foster a strong sense of belonging for all pupils.  I hold Qualified Teacher Status (2018) and a degree in Special Educational Needs, providing expertise equivalent in scope to UK SENCO training, with a strong professional focus on autism and research into Theory of Mind. My experience spans Early Years, primary, SEN, and SEMH, guided by trauma-informed approaches such as ACE and PACE, and I support the induction and development of ECTs.

Ben Lees - Assistant Head at Vauxhall

I am an Assistant Headteacher at the Vauxhall site, where I also lead Reading and Phonics. Since joining the school a year and a half ago, my responsibilities have combined curriculum leadership, pastoral development and staff coaching. I contributed to recent inspection successes through evidence preparation, curriculum development and pastoral insights. With QTS, a PGCE and a BA (Hons) in Psychology in Education, my practice is grounded in research and child development. My experience spans EYFS to Year 7. I lead with a relational approach and high expectations, using trauma-informed and SEMH-focused practice to build safe, supportive learning environments.

Joanna Darnley - Assistant Head at Vauxhall

I joined OHS in 2021.  I have been the Assistant Head at Vauxhall since 2026.

Sohail Al-Mahri - Lead Therapist at Vauxhall 

I trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for my Masters degree in Drama and Movement therapy. I felt my training, which was focused on the stories present within ourselves and society, have helped me tremendously in my role as Lead Therapist at Vauxhall. It has aided my therapeutic framework that allows me to explore the narratives present, for staff and pupils, and work with them both in and out of the session space in a non-directive and oblique way, when appropriate. What I love most about my role is that every day I learn something new; whether it is about the pupils, staff or even myself!

Aous Mubarak - Head of School at Nine Elms

I serve as the Head of School at Nine Elms where I am dedicated to supporting pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs. I emphasise on fostering a therapeutic, inclusive and nurturing environment that promotes both academic achievement and personal development. As part of my role, I implement school policies and practices that align with the ethos and vision of the organisation. My commitment to pupil support includes implementing individualised plans that address social and emotional well-being. I take pride in building strong relationships with families and external agencies to create a supportive network for all pupils. Through a network of highly skilled leaders and practitioners, I drive improvements in teaching and learning, ensuring that every pupil feels valued and empowered to succeed.

Jack Pryor - Lead Therapist at Nine Elms

I am the Lead Therapist and the Play Therapist at the Nine Elms site, providing therapeutic support to children through creative, play-based approaches that help them express emotions, build resilience, and develop positive coping skills. I grew up in London and have over 10 years of experience working with children, young people, and families across a range of settings, including schools, the NHS, youth offending services, prisons, PRUs, and other community organisations. My role at OHS is to help children understand and process challenging childhood experiences, offering one-to-one sessions and family support. I also work closely with teachers, parents, and professionals to promote emotional wellbeing across the school community. 

Lauren Knight - Head of School at Kennington

I have had the privilege to have worked for OHS London, for over 10 years now and love every minute of it. I started OHS as a support worker and worked my way up in becoming a Head of School; where my passion and drive were recognised by senior leaders and they invested in my development. Like many other schools, no two days are the same and at OHS we really have a unique, remarkable way of working with our pupils. I have had the absolute pleasure in seeing the successful, growth of pupils from KS1-2; right the way through to the end at KS4.

Luke Whittingham - Assistant Head at Kennington

I joined OHS in 2025.  I have been the Assistant Head at Kennington since 2026.

April Manfield - Lead Therapist at Kennington

I joined OHS in 2022.  I became the Lead Therapist at Kennington in 2026.

Robyn Smith - Head of School at Great Baddow

I am Head of School at Great Baddow and am in my fifth year at Octavia House Schools. I support the Head of School with the day-to-day running of the school and the quality of education. I have previously worked at Vauxhall and South Woodham, teaching across KS1-3. As Linguistic Lead, I work across all sites, overseeing linguistics provision and supporting teachers through training and guidance with our Talk for Writing and Read Write Inc programme. I hold a BA (Hons), a PGCE with QTS, and an MA Education (Special Educational Needs).

Ruth Parry - Lead Therapist at Great Baddow

As Lead Therapist, I support pupils through play and creative therapy sessions, helping them to make sense of their experiences, manage big feelings, and build trust and confidence. I work closely with staff to keep our school’s therapeutic, trauma-informed approach at the heart of everything we do, so children feel understood and safe. I also link with families and outside professionals, such as CAMHS and social care, to make sure each child’s emotional needs are supported in a joined-up way. My aim is to nurture wellbeing and help every pupil feel seen, valued, and ready to learn.

Ashley Witherington -  Associate Head (Essex) and Interim Head of School at South Woodham

I joined OHS in September 2025 and am currently the Head of School at our primary site in Great Baddow, Essex. I have nine years of experience in education and, prior to joining OHS, was an Assistant Head Teacher for six years across two mainstream primary schools in outer London. In this role, I led on key areas including inclusion, behaviour, safeguarding and served as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). I hold a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Primary Education, Qualified Teacher Status and the National Award for SEN Co-ordination.

Matthew Reed - Assistant Head at South Woodham

I joined OHS in 2025.  I have been the Assistant Head at South Woodham since 2026.  

Chloe O'Hanlon - Lead Therapist at South Woodham

I am Lead Therapist for Essex and a qualified Dramatherapist. I am passionate about creating nurturing, creative environments where every pupil feels seen, heard, and valued. Through my work, I support children and young people with a wide range of social, emotional, and mental health needs, using Dramatherapy as a powerful tool for expression, exploration, and healing.

Drawing on trauma informed practice and child centred approaches, I use storytelling, role play, and creative techniques to help pupils process experiences, build emotional resilience, and develop a stronger sense of self, working closely with colleagues, families, and external professionals to ensure a holistic approach to each young person’s development.

I am committed to championing the benefits of creative therapies within education, helping pupils to engage in ways that feel safe and meaningful to them. Through my work, I empower young people to communicate, connect, and thrive both emotionally and socially.

Elysia Agius - Headteacher at OHS London

I joined OHS in 2021 as a class teacher at our Vauxhall site, with several years of teaching and middle leader experience in the UK and internationally, before moving into leadership roles, including Assistant Principal, Senior Vice Principal, Associate Head and now my current role of Headteacher for the London sites. In this position, I deputise for the Executive Head and support the operational running and strategic leadership of our schools. My focus is on fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture that prioritises pupils' emotional wellbeing, staff development, and school improvement. I’m passionate about creating inclusive, supportive environments where both pupils and colleagues can thrive, and I take pride in contributing to the continued success and growth of OHS. 

Candace Ward - Deputy Head of Therapy (London) 

As Deputy Head of Therapy, I directly support the therapy team across sites, ensuring high standards of practice and consistency. I regularly visit each site to support and embed the therapeutic approach, while also working alongside teachers to help integrate therapeutic practice into their classrooms. Together with our associate head, I co-lead on pupil voice initiatives, ensuring pupils are heard and their feedback informs practice. I also analyse behaviour data to identify trends and areas for development, and I oversee our bespoke SEMH tracker, which supports us in monitoring progress and tailoring interventions to meet pupils’ individual needs.

Susanna Bouchard - Deputy Head of Therapy (Essex)

I am Susanna Bouchard the Deputy Head of Therapy in Essex. I am an Integrative therapist, who enjoys outdoor walks, art and reading. I work creatively with pupils to help them to explore their sense of themselves and the world around them. Through play, art and talking pupils are able to start to understand their emotions and how this feels within themselves and connects to the world around them. Enabling pupils to become aware of their own thoughts and feelings and  helping them to process and understand themselves and their reactions.