Principal-Mr Quentin Gunderson 

I am delighted to be joining the school in January 2026 as Principal and to become part of this community. I have over 20 years’ experience in education, including senior leadership roles in mainstream and specialist settings across London, Berkshire and the South West. Much of my work has focused on special and alternative provision, supporting pupils from 4-18 through periods of challenge and improvement and leading schools forward. Last year I gained the National Professional Qualification in Headship, whilst working in a Plymouth Secondary school as a member of the Leadership Team overseeing Safeguarding and Welfare.

I am passionate about creating schools where young people feel safe, valued and supported, with high expectations underpinned by strong relationships, consistency and care. I believe that every child can succeed when the right structures and support are in place.

Outside of school, I enjoy running marathons, Winter Sports and keeping active. I play guitar and piano in my local church. I have 3 grown up children and live with my wife and Border Collie in Bodmin. I am very much looking forward to getting to know the students, staff and families and to working together to continue to build our school community in which we can all be proud.

Vice Principal- Miss Lisa Paton

Since qualifying as a teacher in 2000, I have taught across all ages and phases of Primary Education in schools around Devon. I have been in leadership roles since 2007 and held a number of headteacher and principal positions since 2015. I hold the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership and have worked for Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust since its inception in 2018. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked in small village schools, larger schools and church schools. In 2022 I began working at The Promise School as we established it as a brand new school. I am delighted to be back in 2024 as the school continues to grow and we chart the next stage of our exciting journey.

I have a particular passion for inclusion and pride myself on being a champion for children with SEND. I am dedicating to making a difference and going above and beyond to support the children and families we serve.

I believe that we have the opportunity to transform lives, so that children can thrive and flourish now and into adulthood. 

In my free time I like to spend time with my family on Dartmoor and at the North and South coast of Devon. I am an avid all year round cold water swimmer.

Assistant Principal / SENDCO - Mrs Claire Upston

I have worked in education for 23 years – 16 years as a classroom teacher and 8 years as a qualified SENDco.  I have had the privilege to work with the full age range of 3 to 16 years having worked in Nursery, Infant, Junior and Secondary schools.  I have also worked in mainstream and specialist settings. 

I am passionate about identifying the barriers that some students experience which prevents them from engaging fully in education.  I believe that it is crucial for all parties involved to work together to identify and overcome these barriers, with the voice of the child or young person and their parents/carers at the heart.  I have experience of working with students with all types of special educational need, with a particular interest in the area of social, emotional and mental health difficulties.  I qualified as a Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Practitioner 3 years ago and this knowledge is now integral to my ethos, leadership and work with students.  I have led two previous settings to embed Trauma Informed practices into their whole school ethos, processes and policies and I work 1:1 with students to help them process and work through their Adverse Childhood Experiences. 

I am a mum to two sons, aged 18 and 13 years and spend many an hour watching and driving to and from hockey matches.  I enjoy walking and spending time by the sea in my spare time and spending time with family and friends. 

Behaviour and Attitudes lead Mrs Kelly- Hoggins

I have worked within the trust for many years championing inclusiveness. I started my career in SEN then diverted to behaviour, pastoral and inclusion before transitioning full circle back to SEMH. I am passionate to support, motivate and empower all my students to be confident, resilient and successful in their own right no matter what their academic ability. Each persons success is measured differently. My expectations are high, both for my students and myself. I endeavour to have an impact and make a difference. I have always tried to be approachable, relational and honest enabling me to make secure, positive relationships with my students, their families, my colleagues and within my community.