Trust staff

Sue Tresman (CEO)

Formerly Director of the Retention Programme at the Open University and Education Director, then Chief Executive Officer at the British Dyslexia Association, Susan Tresman is the Chief Executive of Grafham Grange Special Educational Trust.

A Fellow of the HESDA Top Management Programme specialising in Leadership for Effective Change, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Susan holds the position of Visiting Professor in Inclusive Learning at the University of Sunderland 2005 - 2010. Previously she held Visiting Chairs in South Africa and Romania promoting access to learning for disadvantaged learners.

Passionate about empowering those with additional needs to realise their full potential, Susan is qualified in the teaching of Learners with Special Needs and holds a PGCE from the University of Cambridge. Her first degree was from Sheffield and her PhD from University of London; Kings College. Susan is a co-opted member of the Council for the National Association for Special Schools.

Alan Tomlinson MA (Ed) (Head of Children's services)

Formerly Head of Care between 1994 - 1996 and Head of Social Work Services 1996 - 2007, Alan Tomlinson joins the Office of Grafham Grange Special Educational Trust as Head of Children’s Services where his lead responsibilities span the Centre for Pupil Referrals, Admission and Review, enhanced development of Trust Therapeutic and Multi-disciplinary Services, Home /School, Local Authority and external multi- agency Liaison, Training and Policy work.

Alan is a qualified social worker, an adult trainer in Child Protection, and NVQ assessor and is in the final stages of completing his MA in Education with a specialism in Leadership and Management. He has also reached his NVQ Level 7 Executive Coaching Qualification.

Alan has three sons and a daughter. In his spare time Alan enjoys, running, fishing and reading.

Alan Smith (Head of Finance and Operations)

From a commercial background, Alan joined the Trust in May 2002. His first major role involved the incorporation of Brantridge School which became part of GGSET on 1st January 2003. As Head of Finance and Operations, Alan is responsible for finance, administration, premises and operations across both sites.

Alan has two sons and, when time allows, enjoys good music, good wine, a little cycling and a spot of DIY.

Tamsin Blythe (Head Teacher )

Tamsin Blythe is the Head Teacher at Brantridge School. She brings with her a wealth of experience to the post, having previously been Deputy Head Teacher at Cornerstones Independent School. Tamsin (Tammy) is highly experienced in the management of staff, communication strategies, school development and management of challenging pupils.

Tammy holds a B.Ed from The University of Northumbria at Newcastle in Primary Education with Qualified teacher status. She has completed the learning schools programme, various management and equality/diversity courses and holds an advanced child protection qualification.

She has recently received her NPQH and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her family, eating out, travel, music, cinema and theatre.

Ian G. McCready (Principal)

Ian has worked in Special Education since 1978, starting his career as an R.C.O. in an Observation and Assessment Centre in Fife. He then moved to a Residential School in Yorkshire working as a Teacher for 4 years. After this he went to Longlands College in Middlesbrough where he worked as Lecturer in Communication - teaching YTS students and Unemployed adults. He soon returned to his first vocation of SEBD young people and moved to a residential school in Fife where he was a Teacher, a Senior Teacher and then a Principal Teacher.

In 1991 he got his first Headship in a Special School in Bathgate, West Lothian where he remained for 6 years. After this he became Principal of Eden Grove School, Appleby in Cumbria (Part of the Priory Group) and brought the school from almost Special Measures to "a very good school". In 2003 he was offered the position of Network Manager for Priory looking after 5 schools - this he did for a year.

He was then asked by Cheshire to Head a Day Special School in difficulties which he did for 2.5 years. Returning to Scotland he became Head of a SEBD school in Ardrossan, Ayrshire. He was then offered the post of Operations Manager for Educare - a post which involved managing the Teaching Services for up to 6 schools spread across the Midlands / Leicestershire.

In addition, he also has experience as an SEBD Consultant and Trainer. Ian has worked in Special Education (Day and Residential), for 31 years, at every level. He is passionate about giving SEBD Young People Life Chances and Opportunities to compete at a National Level and believes in offering a service for both Staff and Young People that is 2nd to none.

His qualifications include: Cert. Ed, M.A.ed, B.A. and an Advanced Diploma in Special Needs in Education.