Meet the Team
We are two experienced educators who share a deep belief in the potential of every young person. With decades of combined teaching, leadership and specialist support experience, we created Clear Steps Plus to offer a nurturing, personalised and academically rigorous environment where learners can grow in confidence and achieve their personal best.
Our motivation for establishing our alternative provision is deeply personal. As mothers of neurodiverse twins, we have lived the journey of navigating support systems, advocating for our children and understanding the emotional landscape families face. This experience fuels our commitment to creating a space where every learner feels understood, valued and supported in ways that honour their individuality.
Our work is grounded in compassion, high expectations and a commitment to understanding each child as an individual. As parents ourselves, we know how important it is to feel that your child is supported, valued and encouraged every step of the way.
In this Section
Alicia Hampson
Co-Headteacher/Director
Alicia Hampson brings over 25 years of experience in secondary education, senior leadership, e-learning, and SEND consultancy to her role as Co-Director and Founder of Clear Steps Plus Education (CSPE). Throughout her extensive career, she has served in numerous key roles, including Assistant Principal, Head of Faculty, and Specialist Leader in Education (SLE), consistently championing inclusive practice and curriculum innovation.
However, the true driving force behind CSPE is deeply personal. Alicia founded the alternative provision bridging mainstream and SEND schools because of her firsthand lived experience as a parent of neurodiverse children who faced significant struggles in mainstream education.
Frustrated by the lack of suitable, flexible, and compassionate educational settings, Alicia set out to build the exact provision her family needed. Her leadership and CSPE’s mission are anchored by her personal educational philosophy: that every child, particularly those who are neurodiverse or vulnerable to exclusion, is entitled to an adaptive and uncompromisingly high-quality education.
Today, Alicia oversees the strategic development, curriculum, and staffing at CSPE, guided by her “Clear Steps 5Cs model”—Clarity, Consistency, Co-operation, Communication, and Continuity. In everything she does, her ultimate guiding question remains: “Would this educational experience be good enough for my own children?”.
Parent & Carer Support
In addition to her work with students, Alicia is deeply committed to supporting the whole family. She established monthly, free-of-charge SEND coffee mornings to provide a much-needed lifeline to families. Even as an experienced leader in education with over 25 years in the sector, Alicia found it incredibly difficult to navigate the complex SEND system and feel truly listened to when advocating for her own children’s needs. Because of this, she wanted to create a safe, supportive space to help parents and carers—especially those with no prior experience in education—understand the system and successfully secure the support their children deserve.
Karen Greenwood
Director & Specialist SEND Educator
Karen Greenwood brings over 30 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and advocate for young people. As the co-leader of Clear Steps Plus, she supports learners aged 11–18 through personalised teaching, SEND consultancy, and gentle, consistent advocacy. Her extensive professional background is further enriched by her personal perspective as a parent of neurodiverse twins (information not in sources). This lived experience allows her to empathise and deeply understand the struggles other parents face, fostering a unique connection with the families she supports.
Karen specialises in working with SEND and neurodiverse learners, particularly those navigating EOTAS and EBSNA pathways or transitioning between mainstream and specialist settings. She designs bespoke learning programmes that meet students exactly where they are, helping them rebuild confidence and rediscover their strengths. Originally trained as an MFL specialist, Karen has led successful language departments and now also focuses on English intervention and literacy with a strong pastoral focus.
Areas of Expertise
- SEND and neurodiverse learners
- EOTAS and EBSNA pathways
- Alternative provision
- Transitions between mainstream and specialist settings
- Bespoke learning programmes tailored to individual needs
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) Hispanic and French Studies – University of Portsmouth
- PGCE in Spanish and French – University of Manchester
Career Highlights
- Director — Clear Steps Plus Education Ltd
- 1:1 English Intervention Tutor — Kearsley Academy NET
- Head of Modern Foreign Languages — Kearsley Academy NET
- Head of Modern Foreign Languages — St Anne’s Academy
- Head of MFL & Able and Talented Coordinator — Avondale High School
- Second in Department (Spanish Lead) — Kersal High School
- Teacher of French and Spanish — Marple Hall High School
SEND & Inclusion Approach
Karen believes deeply in the value and potential of every learner. She works to remove barriers, celebrate strengths and create environments where students feel understood and supported. Her philosophy is simple: everyone belongs, everyone can grow, and everyone has something valuable to contribute.Get in Touch
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