Patrick Gannon – Head of Service
I’m Paddy, and I’m the Head across the Falkland House Schools. I have worked at Falkland for a number of years and couldn’t imagine working with a greater group of young people and staff. It’s my job to ensure the quality delivery of care, teaching and learning standards across the service, and to manage and develop the high performance of the school and care settings so that our children and young people achieve outstanding outcomes.
Certainly the most enjoyable part of my job is working alongside and learning from all the wonderful staff, young people and families that make up our community. Above all, watching the young people grow and flourish as they make their journey through school with us.
Ben Gannon – Registered Manager
Hello, I’m Ben, Registered Manager at Falkland House School. I have had the pleasure of working at Falkland for 10 years. Prior to my current position I have worked in the school across both care and education as a care worker, team leader, independence development worker, PE teacher and co-ordinator of various trips and excursions for our young people. Through all my experiences gained working with fantastic colleagues and in different teams across the school I can utilise these to help best support our young people.
For me, the one thing I enjoy most about working at the school is being part of our young people’s journeys. I see it as a huge responsibility to be part of their life and development. Seeing the progress that they make and being able to provide a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for them to flourish in is what motivates me. In terms of a single favourite component from my time at the school that must be our ski trips. Spending time with pupils and staff away from the school setting in a different environment is something that I hugely enjoy… especially our trip to the Italian Alps.
I believe that we offer incredible support and opportunities to our young people, as a service we make a huge positive impact on the lives of our pupils, being part of their journeys is a privilege.
Jon Cluett – Head of Education
I’m Jon and I’m the Head of Education across both Falkland House Schools. I have previously worked in academia, in business and in the third sector and have been involved in education for over 20 years. I’m passionate about education in its broadest sense and about enabling people to develop and reach their full potential. My favourite thing about my job is when I see people succeeding and developing!
I lead a team of education specialists who are committed to getting it right for all our students. This means we are constantly working to enable our students to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors as well as enabling them to succeed in a broad range of specific subjects.
Any questions about teaching and learning or about the specifics of subjects and curriculum send them my way!
Iain Owens – Relations & Admissions Manager
I’m Iain and in my role as Relations & Admissions Manager, I help both Local Authorities and parents/carers who want to place children and young people in our schools and home. This involves guiding parents and carers through the sometimes complex and lengthy process of submitting a placing request, or assessing the needs of a young person to see if we can meet their needs.
I’ve previously worked in fostering for over 9 years, and in education and care for the last few years so really understand the need for good education and care for young people. I thoroughly enjoy helping parents, carers and Local Authorities access the provision their young people need, knowing it will make a huge difference to their lives.
Vicky Freeman – Clinical Wellbeing and Locality Lead (Scotland) and Occupational Therapist
I’m Vicky and I have been working as an Occupational Therapist since 2006. I have a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and I’m registered with HCPC. I also have a Post Graduate Certificate in Sensory Integration and am a Certified Practitioner in this.
My background is predominantly in paediatrics and I have a special interest in Autism and neurodivergence. I have worked in the NHS for many years and in private practice providing specialist support to young people with autism and both physical and mental health needs.
Occupational Therapy promotes meaningful occupations, independent living skills and supports young people to do the things that are important to them. Occupational Therapy impacts positively on mental and physical health and supports young people to participate fully in day-to-day life.
I work with young people to set goals around the things that matter to them and look at the routines, environment and skills needed to support their success in them.
I work full time for Falkland House School and spread my days between the Perth and Fife sites. I am committed to promoting a positive attitude towards autism and neurodivergence and supporting young people to meet their potential.
Hannah Bird – Speech & Language Therapist
My Name is Hannah, and I am a Speech and Language Therapist for Falkland House School Fife and Perth. I am originally from West Sussex and qualified from the University of Chichester with a bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Needs and Disability. I then qualified in a Masters in Speech and Language Therapy from Queen Margaret’s University in Edinburgh.
Speech and Language Therapy provides support and care for those with communication and social skills, speech disorders and language difficulties and I am truly passionate about working with children and young people. My role gives them a voice, helps them feel valued and support equality and inclusivity by assisting them with expressing or understanding spoken and written language.
I believe that speech therapy impacts all elements of independent daily living and promotes interpersonal social skills. I am enthusiastic and thrilled to be working at Falkland House School.
Gillian Allan – Educational Psychologist
I’m Gillian and I am an Educational Psychologist supporting our Scottish Hub of services. I have over 10 years of experience as an Educational Psychologist working across a range of contexts. I have been an Educational Psychologist in Local Authorities where I supported Nurseries, Primary and Secondary Schools and Complex Needs Provisions, and I have also worked in Residential Schools supporting care, education and therapy teams. I recently completed a Diploma in Therapeutic Life Story Work and I am a Chartered Educational Psychologist, registered with HPCP.
Educational Psychologists aim to promote the inclusion, wellbeing, attainment and positive destinations of all children and young people through applied psychology. I am passionate about supporting neurodiverse inclusivity and promoting attachment informed and trauma sensitive practice.