Nicola joined Ambitious College in 2015. Nicola has over 15 years’ experience in developing and managing complex services and teams within a variety of post-16 SEN settings. Nicola joined Ambitious about Autism in July 2015 and brings her expertise in operational and service management to the team. Nicola holds an ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management and is currently undertaking an MSc in Positive Behaviour Support. Nicola is passionate that all young people are supported to work towards their own meaningful outcomes and develop skills for future success.

Simon has been working in the education of autistic people for over 20 years in various roles. He joined Ambitious about Autism in 2014. For over 15 years, he has been teaching in the post-16 sector and has been involved in the setting up of a number of post-16 provisions for autistic people in London and Surrey. As well as curriculum design, Simon is interested in how technology can usefully enhance the education and social inclusion of autistic learners. Simon is committed to the continuous development of the curriculum and creating an engaging and enjoyable educational environment for all our learners.

Kayley has been working in the special educational needs sector (SEN) for over 14 years. She has built a strong foundation in supporting and educating learners with diverse needs. After leaving college, Kayley gained a foundation degree in Health and Social Care and then progressed to developing her career as a learning supporter. Her passion for education led her to obtain her teaching qualification. 

For the past nine years, Kayley has taught in various specialist settings, such as residential colleges and pupil referral units, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Kayley joined Ambitious about Autism in 2018 as a lecturer, then moved to the position of Curriculum Manager. In this role, she was dedicated to developing bespoke curricula that empowers learners to reach their full potential to successfully transition onto their onward destinations, such as supported living, volunteering, accessing work placement opportunities, or gaining employment. She is equally committed to ensuring learners have the resources and opportunities to have their voices heard, enabling them to take an active role in decision-making across all aspects of their lives.
 

Bernice joined Ambitious College in November 2014 having worked within the education and care sector as a Finance and Operations Manager for six years. Prior to this, Bernice worked within the finance sector for a number of financial institutions. Bernice holds the level 4 Diploma in School Business Management (CSBM) and also an Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management. Bernice is motivated and committed to providing assistance and support to enable learners to be able to make choices, achieve their goals towards their desired outcomes and their onward destination.

Alex joined Ambitious College in 2024. She is highly qualified and experienced with over a decade working in education. Alex is committed to working with young people who are disadvantaged through their circumstances and is dedicated to improving their quality of life via transformational educational experiences. She holds a Master's degree in Digital Media with a focus on education and has recently completed an NPQ in leadership.

Karin has been working in the field of Psychology since 2010. During her studies, she focused on Educational Psychology, specifically on researching diagnostic methods of ADHD and supporting children with SEN in mainstream settings. At the same time, Karin studied Organisational Psychology with the focus on HR Management and Recruitment.

In February 2017, she joined the Ambitious College team as a Learning and Behaviour Specialist. Throughout the years she progressed towards the role of Operations Manager where she ensures both campuses are safe and compliant; and all learners and staff receive appropriate support and adjustments. 

Karin is passionate about person centred approach and ensures it is applied at college in a consistent, high quality, individualised support which leads to the best possible outcomes for our young people. 
 

Sam Newton's career focus has been in the SEND sector since 1998 with experience of supporting learners aged two to post-19 requiring support from education, health and care. Previous leadership experience includes experience across all key stage phases and in a variety of roles as Director of Education, Headteacher, Head of School, Assistant Head – KS3/4 Transformation, Assistant Headteacher for securing capital development projects for Specialist Status and Head of Primary in both day and residential, maintained, non-maintained and Charity settings. 

During the entirety of her career to date, she has worked with provisions who work as local, regional and national settings across a range of local authorities, social care and health funded. Leading and facilitating transformational change and turnaround where significant improvements are required has been a passion of hers, with an aim to ensure that provisions provide leading educational standards. Sam advocates a systems leadership approach whereby leaders at all levels are empowered to learn from each other and others for continual improvement in delivery to learners. Sam is proud that her efforts resulted in a Pearson’s National Teaching Award in 2021 but as she wholeheartedly recognises the work of the staff in any setting, it is by rights theirs too!

Gemma joined Ambitious College in 2018 and has over 18 years’ experience in further education, SEN and the third sector. She leads our Supported Internship programmes, building partnerships with employers to create meaningful pathways into work, and is passionate about supporting autistic young people to achieve employment and a better quality of life.

With over 2 decades of experience in autism education, Elizabeth began her journey as a teacher in 2004 and has since worked extensively with autistic learners aged 14 to 25 across a range of specialist education settings. Elizabeth is dedicated to supporting autistic young people reach their full potential, enjoy the quality of life they deserve and empowering them to thrive within their local communities.

A strong believer in the power of collaboration, Elizabeth has led several pioneering initiatives, including co-founding the first specialist college in Tower Hamlets and establishing the first Supported Internship within an English University in partnership with Queen Mary University of London and DFN Project Search.

Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful partnerships can drive systemic change and open up real opportunities for neurodiverse young people.  Whether through strategic development, programme leadership, or advocacy, her focus remains on creating environments and communities where autistic young people can thrive.