My story
I was born in Birmingham and grew up in Buckinghamshire. After finishing school, I studied Theology with Philosophy at Leeds University then moved to London to do an MA in Near and Middle East Studies at SOAS. I then spent three years as a children’s bookseller while writing and performing poetry in my spare time.
In 2012, I completed my Primary PGCE at the Institute of Education, which included a Masters level specialism in Children’s Literature and Language. I taught for three and a half years in Manchester and London before having my first child in 2016, and my second in 2020. Alongside raising my boys and doing some occasional supply teaching, I have completed four novels and had work published in a Commonword anthology. I have also undertaken various community projects and voluntary work, including creating teaching resources for the non-profit EmpathyLab and facilitating creative writing workshops for children and young people.
After a six year break, I felt drawn to return to teaching, but knew that I wanted to find a more creative, nurturing approach. I completed my Certificate in Therapeutic Teaching with the Caspari Foundation in October 2022, then my Level 3 training in Forest School Leadership in February 2024. I now work part-time as a freelance therapeutic teacher and forest school leader while continuing to write creatively.
I am currently undertaking Mindfulness for Children training with Calm for Kids and am working towards certification as a Therapeutic Practitioner of Creative Arts with the APCCA.
Qualifications and employment:
NOCN Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders with Kindling Play and Training, March 2023- January 2024
Certificate in Therapeutic Teaching with the Caspari Foundation, London, September 2021- October 2022
Primary Teacher at Crampton Primary School, London, 2013-2016 and Oswald Road Primary School, Manchester, 2012-2013
PGCE in Primary Education at the Institute of Education (now part of UCL), London, 2011-2012
Children’s Senior Bookseller and Buyer at Waterstone’s Gower St, London, 2008- 2011
MA Near and Middle East Studies (Merit) at SOAS, University of London, 2007-2008
BA(Hons) Theology with Philosophy (2:1) at University of Leeds, 2004-2007
Continuing Professional Development
I am always seeking opportunites to further develop my knowledge and skills. Recent CPD includes:
Introduction to the Therapeutic Use of Person-Centred Creative Arts, Level 1 with the APCCA May 2025
Creative approaches to working with children, with Ani De La Prida facilitated by Caspari Foundation March 2025
Understanding and Working with the Interplay of Trauma and Neurodivergence in Children and Young People with BPS and Anna Freud March 2025
Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering with High Speed Training, January 2025
Advanced Safeguarding, Child Protection and Prevent with Connex Education Academy, October 2024
QNUK Level 3 Advanced Forest School First Aid (RQF) with Chris Garland Training, November 2023
Play Beyond 5 Summit led by Anandé Ferreira, Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sivanne Lieber, Play Coach, July 2022
Some other important facts about me…
1) I love old films, especially screwball comedies from the 1930s and 40s. However, my two all time favourite films are still Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Not only are they joyful celebrations of imagination, playfulness and the incredible power of connection, but both star Julie Andrews, who makes my heart happy.
2) I love children’s books. My favourite hobby is hunkering down in secondhand bookshops and trawling the shelves for treasures. I rarely leave empty-handed!
3) I’m the second of five sisters. We are all very close and share a similar sense of humour, which means we laugh a lot.
5) My favourite biscuit is a chocolate hobnob, ideally dipped in a strong cup of tea.
6) I think that because life is serious, it’s important to be playful and have fun whenever you can.
7) I enjoy writing, making things, dancing, music, walking (ideally along a river through a forest), yoga, and hanging out with my family and friends.
