A Dynamic Team Making a Positive Difference!
Meet The Team
‘Team North’ brings together a wealth of experience across Education and Community Development through PE & School Sport, Youth Engagement, Inclusion and Administration to support schools and staff, inspire young people and create high-quality opportunities and positive experiences.
Dean Woodham
Partnership Development Manager
Dean took up the position of Partnership Manager in January 2019, having previously been part of the Senior Leadership Team at Bicester Technology Studio. Prior to this, Dean was both a Head of Physical Education and School Sport Coordinator at The Bicester School – so is incredibly familiar with the work of NOSSP and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role.
Alongside his Partnership Management role, Dean has picked up many hats! He is the Strategic Lead for the FA Girls Football in Schools Programme, a Youth Sport Trust Development Coach, an Association for PE Regional Lead Advocate, Board Member for the Schools Active Movement and an Active Oxfordshire Trustee.
Away from NOSSP, Dean is heavily involved in grassroots football as a Club Chairman, Youth Team Coach and FA Tutor, as well as continuing his own Physical Literacy journey through cricket, cycling and golf.
Emma Jackson
Assistant Partnership Manager
Emma has been with NOSSP since 2008 and has held many roles in that time. As well as being the Assistant Partnership Manager, she is the School Games Lead and North Oxfordshire School Rugby Manager for England Rugby.
Emma’s background is in Sport & Leisure Development, starting out as a holiday activity assistant before working full time in several different Local Authority teams and eventually joining the Partnership with a community engagement and club links remit.
Eat > Sleep >Take Kids to Sports > Repeat is currently the soundtrack to Emma’s life away from NOSSP, with a little bit of sports club and school committee volunteering thrown in! She is also a qualified Track & Field official, supporting many local competitions.
Jake Brown
School Sport Coordinator
Jake has been the School Sport Coordinator for The Cooper School since September 2024.
James Gough
School Sport Coordinator
James is Head of Year 7 at Gosford Hill School and has been the School Sport Coordinator since September 2009.
Karen Sargant
Primary PE Manager
Karen originally joined NOSSP as a PE Mentor in 2013. Having stepped back into the classroom and then joining SLT at Bardwell Special School, Karen rejoined NOSSP in September 2025.
Lily Hitchcock
School Sport Coordinator
Lily has been the School Sport Coordinator at The Bicester School since September 2024.
Lucie Smith-Childs
Primary PE Mentor & School Sport Coordinator
Lucie is the School Sport Coordinator for Wykham Park Academy and has undertaken the role since 2016.
In September 2024, Lucie also rejoined NOSSP as a Primary PE Mentor.
Nicki Baynes
Administrator
Nicki joined the NOSSP team in November 2025. With previous administration experience in Primary Schools and a love of spreadsheets, Nicki has settled quickly into a challenging role. Away from the office, Nicki is working hard to bring down her middle distance PB’s – and has set herself the additional challenge of completing the Park Run A-Z!
Rory Mawn
Primary PE Mentor & School Sport Coordinator
Rory has been the School Sport Coordinator at Blessed George Napier School since 2013, having undertaken a similar role in London previously. Rory is also a Primary PE Mentor alongside his SSCo role.
Sarah Brown
School Sport Coordinator
Sarah is the School Sport Coordinator for The Warriner School and has undertaken the role since September 2023.