Shannon Lynskey
Hobbies: I love listening to music and reading
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I learnt how to sail a boat before I learnt how to drive a car
Favourite film: The Lord of the Rings trilogy – Extended versions only!
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant – I have 10 years working in mainstream and SEND schools
Fleur Grewcock
Hobbies: Open Water Swimming. I’m happier in water, whatever, the weather!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I am a rocking metal head!
Favourite film: Mrs Doubtfire. ‘Help is on the way, dears!!’
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant – I have 15 years experience in primary education covering different areas and levels
Fay Conroy
Hobbies: Long walks with my dog; gym- well I try!; cooking and experimenting with new dishes
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I like to challenge myself and enjoy adventurous activities
Favourite film: Mamma Mia – Can’t beat a bit of Abba!
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant – I worked in a Primary School for 27 years in Key Stage 1 and 2
Claire Bailey
Hobbies: I love to work on my Classic Mini – It’s not leaking oil—it’s marking its territory
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I love to go Carp fishing – I don’t chase fish. I wait until they give in
Favourite Film: Polar express – Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant and Early Years – I have worked a lot within Children and Family Centres supporting children from birth to 18. I have also worked as a Deputy Manager and DSL in Early Years settings
Jo Nicholls
Hobbies: I love reading. My workout is turning pages!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I ran the James Herriot half-marathon when I was 5 years old!
Favourite film: Save the Last Dance. Don’t let the world change you. You change the world
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant and Early Years – Over the last 9 years I have worked across Years 1-6 and before that I worked in Early Years settings for 26 years
Karina Ward
Hobbies: I love dogs and walking (admittedly my enthusiasm for the walking part increases with good weather!)
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I started school at the age of 4 yrs in Israel – I can still count to 10 in Hebrew
Favourite film: ET – makes me cry every time
Area of expertise: I have over 15 years experience as a primary school teacher
Meghan Baldwin
Hobbies: I love charity shopping (official bargain hunter!)
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I am related to Mary Queen of Scots
Favourite film: Film: Legend (because I am one!)
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant and Early Years – I have worked in education settings for 10 years
Jo Reilly
Hobbies: I love running and taking on exercise challenges! (Hyrox)
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I’ve ran the new York Marathon
Favourite film: PS I love you
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant – I have worked in various sectors within education for over 15 years
Beth Peirce
Hobbies: I love reading! I have recently moved from being a physical copy love to a Kindle lover
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I have fed a dolphin, a kangaroo and a penguin. I also used to be a student at HOET in 2016
Favourite film: End Game – big Marvel fan. Marvel > DC.
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant – I have over 9 years of education experience
Hannah Middleton
Hobbies: I love exploring new places both in this country and beyond. Cornwall is my favourite place in the world. Nature reserves, beaches, caves, waterfalls – I love to explore them on weekends away with my little family. I also love to be cosied up reading books!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I have a phobia of holes! Its called trypophobia and its more common than you think!
Favourite film: The Notebook (cliché I know!)
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant and Early Years – I completed a Level 2 apprenticeship in Early Years in 2008 and then progressed onto my Level 3. I have worked in many settings such as a paediatric unit, a day nursery, and a private nanny.
Lizz Kittendorf
Hobbies: Reading, running and theatre trips
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I once spent weeks in Beijing on an immersive Chinese language course
Favourite film: Moulin Rouge
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant – I have over 18 years experience in teaching
Ashley Walpole
Hobbies: Reading Theological/ History books, streaming, world building and of course long walks on the beach
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: When I was a young lad, I was going into the service of ordained ministry shadowing a vicar for a year! now I get to preach … I mean Teach in the education system! Close enough
Favourite film: Prince of Egypt
Area of expertise: Teaching Assistant – I have worked in the education world for over 2 years
Nicola Appleyard
Hobbies: I love kickboxing – it keeps me focused, disciplined, and ready to go a few rounds when facing challenges
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I used to drive HGVs – so I’m well practised at keeping things on track and handling the big stuff with care
Favourite film: Guardians of the Galaxy – “Nothing goes over my head. My reflexes are too fast. I would catch it.”
Area of expertise: Inclusion and Early Years – My background is primarily rooted in early years settings, where I have developed strong EYFS knowledge and practical skills
Helen James
Hobbies: Reading or watching the sweet, relaxing scent of unsolved mysteries!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I have worked in the French Alps as a nanny
Favourite film: Labyrinth – did you say Hello, no I said Ello, but close enough!
Area of expertise: Early Years – I’ve worked in the early years settings with management for over 20 years
Alex Savage
Hobbies: I’m very active In sport contributing to semi-pro and youth football
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I co-host a podcast on YouTube!
Favourite film: Goodfellas
Area of expertise: Sports – I have over 10 years experience in sports. I have coached at Youth and Semi-Professional levels and have experience in club leadership.
Business
Jinny Slade
Hobbies: Caravan renovating and cake baking
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I play the cello, the guitar, and the piano although not very well
Favourite film: Wuthering Heights, 1939 version, the one with Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier. Pure acting with beautiful dialogues
Area of expertise: Associate Project Management – I have over 20 years experience working on creating through to delivering projects
Muhammad-Umar Gadiali
Hobbies: I love climbing. You’ll always find me hanging from a wall!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I got my job by doing magic tricks!
Favourite film: Gladiator, are you not entertained?
Area of expertise: Management – I have over 10 years experience in education
Donna Parnell
Hobbies: One of my main hobbies is baking cakes – always happy to try something new as in a new recipe for a cake I have not made before so always on the look at for guinea pigs to be tasters
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I have completed 2 tandem skydives raising money for charity – although not a celebrity so never into a jungle!!
Favourite song: Top Gun – Tom Cruise you took my breath away!
Area of expertise: Customer Service – I have worked in the customer service industry for over 30 years
Vicki Spencer
Hobbies: I enjoy walking and going on holiday
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: Working on my allotment has taught me patience in a way no training course ever has—you can’t rush nature, no matter how organised you are!
Favourite film: Miracle on 34th Street
Area of expertise: Management – I have over 20 years experience in the management industry as I previously worked as a centre manager
Tracey Furey
Hobbies: Music and reading, I am particularly drawn to gritty crime fiction – especially the work of Martina Cole
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I have a hands-on, nurturing side, shown through my passion for growing my own fruit and vegetables
Area of expertise: Management – For over 25 years now, I have worked in the management industry
Paula Bellingham
Hobbies: Sailing, Walking and Cooking. Even better when I can combine them
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I used to be a loose head prop for a women’s Rugby team
Favourite film: On A Clear Day
Area of expertise: Management – I have over 30 years experience in education
Marbel Matewa
Hobbies: Baking
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I treat boxercise like I’, training for a movie montage!
Favourite film: Rush Hour
Area of expertise: Associate Project Management – I have over 8 years experience in the management industry
Alice Cook
Hobbies: Photography, painting and reading – I love to be as creative as possible!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I have done a 15oooft skydive – I am always up for an adventure and exploring
Favourite film: The Perks of Being a Wallflower – it’s a sad but brilliant watch
Area of expertise: Marketing – I have been working in the marketing world for over 5 years within lots of different sectors, covering B2B and B2C marketing
David Babajee
Hobbies: I love martial arts and reading true crime books. You will always see me kicking myself!
One thing you wouldn’t know about me: I used to be a civil servant for the Department for Education
Favourite film: Bullit (1969), “Look, Chalmers, let’s understand each other…I don’t like you”
Area of expertise: Business Administration – I have over 25 years of experience within education and business
