Meet the Team

Beth Gannon 

Deputy Head of School and Director of Sixth Form 

Mrs Gannon graduated from Staffordshire University in 1998 with a degree in English Literature and Media Studies, before completing her PGCE in English at MMU. She began her teaching career in South London in 2000 and has worked at Cheadle Hulme High School since 2003. She was Head of Media Studies for two decades and later served as Assistant Headteacher at Hazel Grove High School, before returning to CHHS as Deputy Head of School. She also holds a Masters in Education and has completed both the NPQ in Senior Leadership and NPQ in Headship.
 
Mrs Gannon is passionate about high-quality teaching and believes in the importance of a long-term learning journey, reflected in her own continued professional development. She has led on teaching and learning and served as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, demonstrating her commitment to both academic success and pastoral care.
 
As a parent of two children, she understands the importance of students feeling a strong sense of belonging and it is her aim is for every student to achieve their best and leave school with the choices and opportunities to succeed in the future.

Paul Gaskell 

Assistant Head and Director of Sixth Form 

Mr Gaskell graduated from the University of Lancaster with a degree in Geography before beginning a career spanning both the private sector and education. Prior to teaching, he worked as a Regional Operations Manager for one of the UK’s largest pharmaceutical chains, developing strong leadership and organisational expertise. He has since held a range of roles in education. Since joining the Laurus trust in 2020, his roles have included Head of Geography, Assistant Headteacher and Careers Leader. He is also a Cluster Champion for Stockport and a member of the Strategic Community of Practice, supporting the development of careers provision across Greater Manchester. Through this work, he has built strong and lasting relationships with employers across the Northwest and UK. He holds the Certificate in Careers Leadership and the NPQ in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD).
 
Mr Gaskell is committed to high-quality teaching and ensuring that all students have access to meaningful opportunities and experiences. He is dedicated to supporting staff development and improving outcomes for all students.
 
He believes every student should leave school and sixth form equipped with the knowledge, confidence and aspirations to succeed in their chosen future.

Laura Rainford

Deputy Director of Sixth Form 

Miss Rainford graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Law in 2009. Upon graduating she spent six years practising within the legal profession. She joined Cheadle Hulme High School in 2017 to teach Law. She completed a master’s degree in Education in 2021 and also obtained Chartered Teaching Status in 2022.
Miss Rainford strongly believes that the Sixth Form is a place to nurture students’ future dreams as well as a chance for them to broaden their life experiences. She works closely with Sixth Form students to offer pastoral support, believing that a happy and nurturing education environment is key to academic and personal success. She also supports students with the Life after Laurus programme, ensuring that all students make appropriate applications beyond Sixth Form so that all students can progress to the next stage of their education. Her greatest pride is seeing students thrive, both academically and personally, in Sixth Form.

Hannah Atkins

Head of Key Stage 5

Mrs Atkins graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2016 with a degree in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and Education, also from the University of Cambridge. After working at a diverse range of sixth form colleges, she joined Cheadle Hulme High School in 2022 as Head of Psychology.
 
Mrs Atkins strongly believes that all students, ‘regardless of background or circumstance’, should get the most out of their Sixth Form experience and achieve their full potential. She supports and monitors students’ progress throughout their Sixth Form journey to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills and habits which will enable them to move on successfully to the next stage of their Life After Laurus.
 

Megan Gillis 

Head of Key Stage 5

Miss Gillis graduated with a degree in Drama Studies in 2016, before completing a PGCE in Drama. She joined Cheadle Hulme High School in 2018 as a teacher of Drama, and since then, has progressed to become Academic Enhancement and Aspiration Lead and a Head of Key Stage 5.

Miss Gillis strongly believes in supporting students to enable them to succeed and thrive, both academically and personally, regardless of their background or circumstance. She supports students with the Life after Laurus programme, ensuring that they have the information and tools to make informed choices regarding the future of their choice. She is excited to be part of an inclusive and supportive sixth form community which helps students achieve their full potential.

Lauren Sherriff

Head of Key Stage 5

Miss Sherriff graduated in 2011 with a degree in Law and Criminology. She subsequently completed a PGCE in Social Sciences and has experience working in both state and independent Sixth Forms. She joined the CHSF team in 2023 as Head of Law and completed a National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership in 2024.
Miss Sherriff believes that all students, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to access the best education. That’s what she loves about CHSF’s inclusive learning environment. She is passionate about making the two years in Sixth Form impactful and life-changing. She works closely with students across the Sixth Form to help them reach their academic potential.

Lewis Watkins

Sixth Form Senior Tutor 

Mr Watkins graduated from the University of the West of England in 2018 with a degree in Economics and Business Management. He then moved to Manchester in 2020 to complete his PGCE, before joining Cheadle Hulme High School as a Teacher of Economics. Since then, Mr Watkins has progressed to become Head of Economics and Sixth Form Senior Tutor and has completed a Master’s in Education.
Mr Watkins firmly believes that the Sixth Form environment provides all students with the opportunity to thrive academically. He feels very privileged to support students with their applications to universities and degree apprenticeships, and particularly enjoys seeing the exceptional destinations Sixth Form students go on to achieve.

Lisa Dickinson 

Pastoral Head of Year 

Mrs Dickinson studied Graphic Design at Loughborough University and many years later returned to education, as a mature student, to study Photography. In between her studies, she travelled extensively, mostly with her snowboard. Mrs Dickinson joined the Laurus Trust in 2019, initially in the SEND department before moving to the Pastoral team. Mrs Dickinson has also worked for the Yorkshire Ambulance service for seven years, saving lives on the frontline.
Mrs Dickinson strongly believes that having a successful education behind you, opens doors and keeps them open for whatever choices you decide to make both now and in the future. Mrs Dickinson believes the Sixth Form not only equips students with the tools they need for future success, but that it also provides the support and guidance during this crucial stage in a young person’s life.

Sue Reddy

Pastoral Head of Year 

Mrs Reddy joined Cheadle Hulme High School in February 2001, initially working in the SEND department and then taking on additional roles and responsibilities including Work Experience and then becoming a Higher Level Teaching assistant. She joined the pastoral team as an assistant Head of Year and later became Head of Year.

Mrs Reddy joined the Sixth Form team in 2021.  She feels privileged to have worked with some families throughout the fifteen years they have been a part of CHHS and especially as a part of #teamreddy. Mrs Reddy is passionate that every child is able to reach and achieve their full potential and will do everything she can to ensure they succeed at this.

Mrs Reddy was thrilled with the comment sent in by a parent; not only is CHHS unashamedly academic but we have the ethos, and should promote that, we are also unashamedly supportive.

Lucy Turner

Sixth Form Academic Services Manager

Mrs Turner graduated from the University of Leeds with an honours degree in Economics. She started her working life in accountancy and spent a number of years working for a major accountancy firm in Manchester. After a career break, during which she raised her family, she started her journey in education administration and has since undertaken a variety of administration and support roles in different educational settings.

Mrs Turner joined Cheadle Hulme High School in 2008 and feels very privileged to have worked in the Sixth Form as Academic Services Manager since it opened in 2013. Mrs Turner is responsible for providing administrative support to the Sixth Form team and coordinating the operations of the Sixth Form. She is often the first point of contact for queries from students and enjoys helping and supporting them during this crucial time in their education.

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