Contact us

126 Victoria Road, New Brighton, Wallasey, CH45 9LD

LIFE Wirral

office@lifewirral.com Tel: 0151 705 7431 126 Victoria Road, New Brighton, Wallasey, CH45 9LD

Our Staff, our family.

In both academic and sporting terms we have assembled a team of top-class, highly-experienced professionals who provide all our students with a first rate education. Meet the team......

Our people.

This is your Team's introductory paragraph. Utilize this space to describe your team and share what makes it so special, such as your work culture and philosophy. Don’t be afraid to illustrate personality and character to help users connect with your team.

Alastair Saverimutto

Founder/ CEO

The opening of LIFE represented the realisation of a long-held dream. For more years than I care to remember I had a vision of establishing a school on the Wirral which would help shape, help dramatically improve, the lives of those who, for whatever reason, found themselves at odds with mainstream education.

That vision is now a reality - a centre of excellence staffed by top-class, hugely experienced professionals across many differing disciplines. My career has been long and varied taking in senior positions inside boxing ( Switzerland ), Rugby Union ( Sri Lanka ) and football ( Bournemouth FC and Everton FC ).

I pride myself on a deep and passionate understanding of just what it means to be involved in sport and education - and I believe that I do understand the complexities and demands of both.

Sarah Quilty

Head Teacher

Education will always be my first love, my passion. My career spans more than 18 years and began with my training as a primary school teacher at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Since then my roles have included SENCo, SLT team, specialist literacy teacher and, more recently, working on Wirral’s Special Educational Needs Advice and Assessment Team. My most recent qualifications include a Masters in Dyslexia and a National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership.

I regard LIFE as a unique - and absolutely invaluable - venture, a school which fosters student and staff well-being whilst encouraging students to develop skills to fulfil their academic and sporting potential. I want students to leave LIFE with the personal and academic skills which will allow them to go on and live their dreams, whatever they may be.

Colin Lamprey

Deputy Head Teacher

My role is to develop a sporting ethos within the School and to look after the future external exams for our students. In my professional career I have taught physical education for 36 years mostly at Wirral's Calday Grange Grammar School where I filled a variety of posts including Head of PE, Head of Year and Head of House.

I have also been involved with Examining Boards in a variety of roles which helped me enormously with my own teaching of academic PE.

My sporting career has been predominately centred around rugby and I have always been keen to keep myself fit and active as I believe it is essential to act as a role model for our young students. My motto has always been - and will always be - ‘Hard work beats Talent’.

Alex Saverimutto

Director

My love is for sport in all its various forms and for developing young athletes. Having seen the huge benefits that sport, exercise and nutrition can have on my own health challenges, I was impassioned to use what I’ve learnt to help youngsters through these means. Creating a sporting programme which our students can enjoy - and learn from - has been my main goal at LIFE and so far it has been a brilliant success.

I have coached promising youngsters for more than ten years, working with them across a wide variety of sports. Many of those I have worked alongside have gone on to achieve great success. How you engage, motivate and support a youngster is different for each individual and LIFE Wirral was designed with this premise in mind.

I have travelled a great deal and spent 12 months in Melbourne developing young elite AFL players. I have a First Class Degree in Economics from the University of Bristol. I am a British Weightlifting Level 2 Coach, PT Level 3 and have a variety of other qualifications in sports and coaching.

Leanne Maddock

Office Manager

I am an energetic business administrator whose job neither begins nor ends with paperwork! My role at LIFE is to keep staff, students, their families and visitors happy, informed and relaxed in our fabulous school setting.

You will very rarely find me at my desk! I enjoy watching our pupils thrive in what is a very unique setting and environment. Being the approachable non-teaching member of staff whose office door is always open to everyone is something I take great pride in.

My background was in the travel industry before I pursued a career as an RGN adult surgical nurse at Arrowe Park Hospital, only leaving to become a full time mum to my two children, a dog and a cat. Once my children were old enough I opted to seek out a totally new career - which led me to LIFE!

Rachael Clarke

Lead in Science/Careers

BSc Postgraduate certificate in education, NPQH, OcR level 6 diploma in career guidance and development.

I have a passion for working with young people and for nurturing their talents. The active involvement of pupils in their Science learning and subsequent assessment is, I believe, vitally important.

Learning simply has to be set within a culture which celebrates success and which encourages all to both learn and to enjoy. My journey as a leader began in 1998 as Head of Sixth Form at St John's Plessington in Bebington where I had responsibility for the academic and pastoral welfare of almost 200 students, leading a team of form tutors and Assistant Heads of Year.

In previous roles I initiated many changes to working practices, attaining higher levels of health, safety and security of staff, students and visitors and an improved school environment. When not working I love to go running - it destresses the brain and strengthens the body!

Julie Richards

Lead English Tutor

BA hons, PHCE, Dip Ed dram, cert Subject Leadership, NPQH, MEd.

I love the English language and I have a voracious appetite for literature of all genres; I want our students to share my passion. I want LIFE students to feel confident as readers, writers and speakers and to help them achieve this I use interactive strategies in the classroom to encourage them to both consider taking risks and to try new things.

We have begun to compile our very own LIFE library and we will be arranging regular visits by published authors. I began my career in teaching in London in the eighties and since then I have worked in mixed and single sex comprehensives on the Wirral, in Liverpool and Runcorn and have held a variety of positions including Head of English, Head of Communications and Chair of Teaching and Learning.

My mantra? Lifelong learning is an excellent goal!

Paul Leicester

Maths/Business Studies/IT

BSc Earth Science, MSC Computing, Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

After a career as a computer systems operator within the oil industry I moved into the teaching of IT as I was passionate about helping young people develop the skills and knowledge which they would require to become inspirational leaders within the ever- expanding new world of high technology.

LIFE, where I also lead in Maths and Business Studies, is a quite wonderful concept. I have always believed that learning and the love of knowledge is something to be encouraged and nurtured in order that the next generation can begin a journey of discovery and ambition which will last a lifetime.

My love of photography feeds my creative side - seeing the world in a new light or from a different perspective I believe has enhanced my life experiences and helped me grow as a person and as a professional.

Sam Padmore

Mental Health Practitioner

Undergraduate qualification in SEN, Sport and PE, Degree in psychology, Member of BPS (British Psychology Society), North West lead practitioner of peer practice group in coaching, Mental health champion, Mental Health First Aider, Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, MAPA trained (Management of Actual or Potential Aggression)

I am a Coaching Psychologist and mental health professional and have worked in and around education, sport, health and social care for more than a decade, something which has allowed me to ensure quality service is provided for any and every organisation or individual I work alongside.

I offer high level mental health support to students and staff, bespoke interventions when needed and educational lessons around mental health awareness and literacy. One of my main passions is providing help and support within the community. Away from my career I run a young person's and men's mental health community group which offers free support, mentoring and physical and resilient-based activities. For me, young people - males in particular - have a tendency to suffer in silence when it comes to mental health - a state of affairs I would dearly love to help change.

I truly believe that it is vital all people are educated appropriately and that we should all remember it is actually OK to not be OK!

Paul Hamill

Operations & Performance

Dip SAC Sports Psychology, Dip SAC Life Skills Coaching (Advanced), Certificate in Psychology for High Performance Sports (FC Barcelona Universitas), FA Psychology Coach (Level 4 & 5), ICA Master Coach (Mentoring), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Diploma, Managing Conflict / Conflict Resolution ILM.

I am an elite performance coach having worked inside sport for more than 20 years. I offer high level support to aspiring young athletes who have the desire to be at the very top of their mental game.

I have a particular - and long-standing - interest in helping the recoveries of those youngsters who have suffered injury setbacks.

It is during periods of rehabilitation that athletes often feel at their most vulnerable - and when they need the most help and support. I believe it is vitally important that all athletes, irrespective of what their chosen discipline is, realise that sport is played as much with the head, the mind, as with the hands or feet.

Ian Ross

Head of Communications

I have been a journalist for more than 45 years. A proud Yorkshireman, I began my career in Southport and have now lived in Liverpool since the late Seventies, witnessing first-hand the renaissance of a great city.

After two decades on Fleet Street working for The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian, I joined Everton FC in 2001 as Director of Public Relations, a position I held for 12 eventful years.

I am a published author, a seasoned broadcaster and someone who has a particular interest in passing on to future generations whatever wisdom it is I have garnered during my career. My claim to fame? I taught Wayne Rooney how to speak with gravitas to the Media. Well, I tried....

Tray’c Nuttall

Pastoral Behaviour Coach/ S.T Tutor

BSc Psychology, PDA Diploma, Post-grad cert in trauma, attachment and mental health, CPCAB Substance Misuse Cert, CPCAB Counselling.

My interest in education and wellbeing began as a psychology undergraduate at the University of Liverpool. Whilst studying in the city, I was fortunate to lead research into working memory and executive function with the overall aim being to improve concentration and focus amongst children with SEN (Special Educational Needs).

Before arriving at LIFE, I delivered tailored support to children across the Wirral with SEN in pupil referral units and schools for children with emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties. I am committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and health of all young people.

As an avid participant of martial arts and a keen enthusiast for educational research and development, LIFE to me, fully represents the perfect balance of education, sport, and wellbeing.

Hannah Longstaffe

KS3 Teacher

First Class BA Hons Degree in Primary Teaching with English Literature, Currently studying for MSc Psychology Conversion.

I started my career as a primary teacher in 2015 and since then have been a class teacher as well as a 1:1 personal tutor.

I love bringing creativity into the curriculum and as my subject specialism is art, you’ll often find me and my students splattered with paint or covered with clay! Since leaving primary teaching I have also undertaken a Master’s Degree in psychology as well as becoming a volunteer counsellor for Childline.

When I’m not at LIFE, you’ll usually find me dancing, horse riding or curled up in a corner with a good book (and a cup of tea of course!).

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to join the LIFE family and I haven’t looked back since my arrival. LIFE is my "happy place" and my goal is to help ensure that all of our students feel the same way!

Paul Stubbs

Head of Sport

Although I have always embraced the challenges and complexities of all sports, athletics has, for so many years, been a passion of mine - my most significant achievements coming in the sprint hurdles.

I completed my UK Athletics, Level 3 coaching course in 2016, achieving great success in bringing promising athletes through to become both County champions and English Schools finalists. I then opted to take my coaching expertise into a quite different arena, local schools, where I had tremendous success in improving the physical skills and the confidence of children of varying ages and abilities.

I specialise in the crucial area of Strength and Conditioning, qualifying as a Level 3 Personal Trainer (PT) in 2009. I then worked extensively as a PT, training clients from across the Wirral. Such was my desire to help the development and the coaching of young children I joined Life Wirral as a staff member - a dream job where my work is complemented by a team of top-class professionals.

Ollie Nugent

Sports Coach

My experience as a teacher is only just beginning but I am learning every day from the terrific team which has been assembled at LIFE Wirral Sports School.

I have, I believe, a very unique sporting background being as I am the only person in the world with Cerebral Palsy to have appeared in professional football match, playing for Tranmere Rovers for 10 years after making my professional debut for Chester F.C. Playing for the England and Great Britain Paralympics team allowed me to travel to and experience some amazing countries including Rio de Janeiro where I featured in the 2016 Paralympics Games.

Unfortunately, I was eventually 'classed out' of Cerebral Palsy sport as my strict training regime reduced the level of my disability. This led to a quite dramatic life change as I joined the University of Houston on a four-year football scholarship to study Kinesiology - the theory and practice of movement.

I am now working hard on building a series of skill sets with the intention of becoming a Strength and Conditioning coach, one who will work with a wide range of different athletes across many sporting disciplines. I believe that the LIFE Wirral Sports School is arguably the very best of its kind in the country, an ambitious and trailblazing venture which will help so many young people with both their education and their sporting ambitions.

Amanda Taylor

PA to CEO & Accounts Manager

I started my career in Accounts in 2013 and haven’t looked back. Since it all began I’ve managed accounts for various companies ranging from a major fast-food franchise to consulting Civil & Structural Engineers, All leading to this great opportunity at LIFE.

I love being organised, sorting numbers, problem solving and supporting others around me.

When I’m not at LIFE, I’ll most probably be out in the fresh air with my children and our dog walking & exploring.

I feel extremely lucky to be working with the wonderful staff and students at LIFE and can’t wait to be a part of it continuing to flourish going forward!

Zoë Grannon

Group Inclusion Manager

I have an honours degree in Business Studies and initially worked in media sales and advertising. However, I soon realised that my true vocation lay in education and so I went back to university to study for a post graduate teaching qualification.

I then became an accredited SENCO, as part of the first cohort to complete the National Award for SEN Coordinators. I also completed a further post graduate qualification in Specific Learning Difficulties which enabled me to work with children and adults as a specialist teacher in Dyslexia.

For the last ten years I have also been a senior safeguarding, behaviour and attendance lead in a large primary school. For me, it is an absolute privilege to work with children and young people.

I totally support LIFE’s holistic approach of prioritising sport and physical endeavour as part of mental health and well-being, as well as providing excellent academic outcomes for our students.

Sara Brady

Yoga Teacher

I have been practising yoga on and off since I was a teenager but never truly embraced it until six years ago when I sustained an injury which necessitated me, as part of my rehabilitation, to undertake sessions five times a week; it completely changed my life.

Until very recently I was working as an ICU staff nurse which I really enjoyed but now, at LIFE, I get to live a life of magic every single day by doing something I truly love!

I want the children I teach to believe in their dreams - to reach for them - and appreciate that they have the ability to achieve anything their heart desires.