Senior Management Team

Under the leadership of the Head Teacher, the dedicated staff work as a team to provide the best support for every single child to help them reach their individual goals and potential, whilst considering their different needs and abilities. To achieve this, each of our classrooms are led by a class teacher and supported by a number of key workers or teaching assistants. Our therapy team of Speech & Language, Occupational and Physiotherapists work with the pupils and staff to ensure that all their specific needs are met. Our SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators) work with all the staff to ensure that all the pupils’ programs are in place and reviewed regularly.

  • MR G LEBRETT

    Head Teacher, DSL

    Gerald Lebrett has been the Head Teacher at Side by Side for over 10 years. Prior to this, he held the position of Head of Binoh, a specialist education and therapy service. He qualified as a teacher at the Institute of Education and has also received an Advance Diploma in Special Education. As Head Teacher, Mr Lebrett has overall responsibility for all aspects of the school, in addition to holding the roles of Health and Safety Officer and Safeguarding Lead.

  • MRS M SCHIFFER

    Deputy Head

    Mrs Schiffer joined the senior management team in September 2012. She is fully qualified in Feuerstein’s method of teaching, as well as Bright start. Additionally, she has advanced qualifications in the area of Health and Safety. Mrs Schiffer’s responsibilities include staffing and recruitment, Human Resources, Health and Safety documentation, medical management, timetables such as Therapy timetable, CPD across the school and externally and management of staff allocations. Mrs Schiffer also holds the role of Head of Personnel. She has brought to Side by Side her experience of both teaching and leading a team. 

  • MRS S WILHELM

    Head of Kodesh

    Mrs Wilhelm has been part of the senior management team for over 15 years . As Kodesh Curriculum Lead, she supports the planning and delivery of all Kodesh subjects throughout the school. Mrs Wilhelm is also an in-house safeguarding trainer, and all new staff have a session with her within their first weeks of employment. 

  • MRS T JUNGER

    SENCO Manager

    Mrs Junger joined the senior management team in September 2013. She has a Masters Degree in Special and Inclusive Education, with a focus on autism. Mrs Junger manages all aspects of the SEN Provision across the nursery and school, as well as leading the SENCO department. Her responsibilities include processing applications for new pupils, linking with Local Authority and managing the EHCP/Statutory Assessment/Annual Reviews processes, ensuring that all children are receiving the right therapy provision, linking with outside professionals and supporting parents, overseeing IEPs and giving strategies to staff around delivery of targets and general LSA and SEN advice around the development of individual children’s skills. She has brought to Side by Side significant experience with specialist teaching, from years of practice in the field.

  • MRS M MANDEL

    Nursery Manager, Deputy DSL

    Mrs Mandel joined the senior management team in September 2020. Her responsibilities include running the learning programme and EYFS curriculum, supporting the planning/delivery and assessment of progress, managing the general nursery environment and ensuring it is a stimulating and welcoming place with opportunities for children to grow and learn, running nursery events and extracurricular programmes, advising on general child development, liaising with parents, and leading on staff observations and supervision. She also holds the role of Deputy Safeguarding Lead.