Meet The Team

Experienced professionals. Strong relationships. High expectations.

Our team brings together experience from education, SEND, SEMH, safeguarding, behaviour support and practical learning.

What connects us is a shared belief that strong relationships and high-quality education can help young people re-engage, rebuild confidence and make meaningful progress.

We take the time to understand each young person, while maintaining the consistency, boundaries and high expectations they need to succeed.

  • Ben Kirk

    FOUNDER and DIRECTOR

    Qualified teacher and education entrepreneur, leading Renew’s vision, partnerships and development.

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  • Pete Ford

    HEAD of CENTRE & DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD

    Experienced education leader with over 23 years in the sector, overseeing the quality, care and day-to-day leadership of Renew.

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  • Laura Gatford

    SENIOR TEACHER and MENTOR

    Experienced teacher with specialist knowledge of SEN, SEMH and child mental health, combining high academic expectations with a nurturing approach.

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  • Louise Murphy

    TEACHER and MENTOR

    Experienced in education, behaviour support, SEN and SEMH, helping young people feel understood while building confidence and making positive progress.

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  • Laurelle Herft

    TEACHER and MENTOR

    Experienced in sport, SEMH and alternative provision, with a particular strength in building relationships and adapting support around individual needs.

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  • TEACHER and MENTOR

    Sarah Davies

    TEACHER and MENTOR

    Experienced primary teacher with a strong focus on wellbeing, resilience, relationships and helping young people become confident, engaged learners.

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  • Rhys Monroe

    TEACHER and MENTOR

    Brings both professional and lived experience of alternative provision, using strong relationships and first-hand understanding to help young people feel heard, build confidence and see a more positive future.

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  • Jess Stephens

    TEACHER and MENTOR

    Jess brings nine years’ experience in education, including four years in specialist SEND and SEMH provision, and uses a calm, relationship-led approach to help every young person feel safe, understood and ready to learn.

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All teaching staff have undertaken: 

  • Safeguarding training with SSCP

  • Regular refresher safeguarding training (monthly)

  • First Aid Training

  • Prevent Training

  • Fire Awareness and Safety Training

  • Health and Safety Training

  • Regular Trauma informed and attachment based training/CPD