MEET THE TEAM

Our Team of educators and governors work closely with Lumiar’s team in Brazil to find new and innovative ways of delivering education in the UK. Set up in Brazil 15 years ago, Lumiar now has ten schools globally. The Vice Chair of our Board of Governors works for Lumiar and helps to train and embed the Lumiar approach at our UK school.

Teaching and support staff

claire walker: Director of education and Head of School

I am passionate about transforming education and love working with children. To develop the crucial attributes and life skills that children will need as adults, I believe it is essential that they take charge of their own learning, adopt a growth mindset, find the joy of learning and the curiosity and resilience to challenge themselves. I believe that as an educator, my job is to work with them and their innate playfulness and curiosity, supporting their desire and capacity to learn-rather than just turning it into school. Their experience of learning at primary age will often shape their attitude to learning in the future, so it’s important that children have the space and freedom to play, manage themselves, explore, go on adventures together and ignite their imaginations.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
- Leadership in PE, Dance Specialism

**Marie Hobson: C2 Tutor**

My own love for learning brought me to the world of education 5 years ago and I have since had experience teaching both internationally and within the UK. My perception of the role as a ‘teacher’ was transformed while working with refugee children in Greece. I saw that education must go beyond academic achievement, but explore the limitless possibilities of each child's unique creativity. Equipping children with skills that are needed in a changing world; which is why I am so excited to be joining Lumiar School. Alongside education, I have a background in film production, a love for languages, painting, nature, and the adventure of being alive.
- Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
-Special Educational Needs Lead
-Art Specialism
-International Collaboration and Experience

FLEUR BOUCHER C1 Tutor

Through my experience in Reggio influenced, mixed age and free flow settings I have developed a passion for teaching children in their earliest years. I like messy, hands-on, child centred learning and want children to have the freedom to express their individuality and know they have valuable contributions to make within the school community and wider world. I love weaving children’s interests into projects based on real life experiences and using observation, documentation and environments as tools to underpin this. I have a degree in textiles and like experimenting with colour, fabrics, knitting and dyeing. I also love books and finding new little nooks of the world to explore with my son, Asa.
-Early Years Specialist
-Art and Crafts Specialism; Textiles, Weaving and Printing

SJ REDSHAW C2j tutor

The foundation of my journey in education started as a parent visitor who came to listen to children read and attend school outings. Since then I have experienced primary and secondary education alongside study but the restrictions of the curriculum have confined my urge for creativity and a truly 'whole child' environment. I look forward to seeing the Lumiar vision in practice, facilitating children to become rounded individuals who can express themselves in a positive way and the personalities of the students emerging within the Project Based Learning framework. I am excited to join a team with a shared passion and to play a part in the development of the Lumiar ethos and community.
-Dance, Drama and PE Specialism

Sarah Green Development tutor and projects coordinator

I have always loved to learn and because of this I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I have worked as a teacher for 11 years and in that time I have taught almost every age group- from nursery all the way up to Year 6. My time in mainstream education has shown me how valuable schools like Lumiar are for the future of education. I believe that the experiences of young people within education lights the spark for their future successes and that Lumiar is a place that holds the match! I am very excited to be working at Lumiar this September and to be helping in both C2 and C1 and with a lovely team of passionate people. Alongside teaching, I enjoy crocheting, crafts, music and cultivating my collection of Crocs.
-Music Specialism
-Science and Technology Specialism
-Evaluation and Monitoring

Heather Courage C1 support tutor

I have worked in school and nursery settings for many years, working as a HTLA in a school alongside children with ASD and as a Early Years Practitioner at Norland Nursery. I feel it is important to gain a unique understanding of each child that you work with, to be able to adapt strategies and promote their individual growth effectively.
I believe I bring a substantial amount of knowledge and expertise in early years and also outdoor learning, as I have my advanced award in Forest School Leadership. I believe it's key to create an engaging and enriched environment at Lumiar, where children can flourish with us on their learning journey.
-Qualified Forest School Lead

Jess Ware: C2J Support Tutor

I come to Lumiar with a wealth of experience supporting children in their learning, adapting and delivering learning to ensure the child is engaged and has space to be creative. I believe that the Lumiar approach to education does this for every child. This allows the students to be practical and experimental in their learning. I am passionate about working with children, ensuring their safety and happiness and giving them opportunities to be free, explore and learn-seeing them grow in confidence and develop new skills.
-Puzzling and Gaming
-Crafting
-RE

Rob Ware: Learning Mentor

I am very excited to be part of the team here at Lumiar. I come with experience working with children at Trowbridge Rugby Club as Head of their Minis programme. I am also a first responder with Saint Johns Ambulance and previously the facilities manager for a local academy looking after three sites. I am a dad of three and a long term foster carer to 2 children. I am passionate about working with children and helping them to grow and develop into confident and independent young people.

Cressie Harris: C1 Support tutor

I love reading and consuming knowledge, sketching as a means of self-expression, and engagement in community projects. I have many years experience as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant and Carer for vulnerable individuals. Alongside, I have been vigorously studying for the last seven years - most recently for a Masters in Inclusive Education. The Lumiar vision is in accordance with my passion for inclusivity that promotes inventiveness, self-realisation and social malleability. To facilitate exploration of individualism, encourage a resolute mindset and empower children to reach for the stars, is my philosophy. I am excited to unite with the team and apply a contemporary approach to learning.
-Making and Baking
-Crafting
-Inclusive Educationing

**Momoko Iwagami - Learning Mentor**

Momo was born and raised in Tokyo, and has also lived in the USA, Thailand, and Greece. Her passions are tech-education, conducting Japanese Tea Ceremonies, cooking healthy food, teaching Japanese language, and playing with kids. She brings with her a wealth of experiences working in educational settings and is so excited to join Lumiar and share her love for learning and teaching.

**Chris Walker: PE Master**

Chris is a Sports and Conditioning Coach, PE teacher and the owner of Spark Sports Coaching. He has been teaching Physical Education in Primary Schools for over 10 year and is one of our regular Masters at Lumiar

Board of Governors

Lumiar School is run by an experienced education team and overseen by a Board of Governors. The Board holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring the effective operation and financial management of the school, as well as the implementation of its policies and procedures. The Board is also responsible for appointing and managing senior paid staff, who are required to report to the Board on a regular basis.

Katherine Symonds-Moore – Chair of Governors, Communications Governor

Katherine is a sustainability consultant with a passion for helping organisations reduce their impact on the environment and enhance their contribution to the local community. She brings extensive experience of strategy development, project management, and communications. Katherine has two children at the school.

Stuart Nicholson

Stuart has experience as a three-time Head, as former Chair of ISA (the Independent Schools Association) and is currently a trustee of AEGIS (the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students) and Treasurer of cife (the Council for Independent Education).

Pepper Barney – Community Governor

Pepper is an urban designer and architect, and director of local firm Bibo which focusses on unusual and/or social-value led projects. She brings her passion, energy and business know-how to the team at Lumiar, helping us to think bigger and more strategically - particularly about the role we play in our wider community.

Ellen Rawlins – Education Governor

Ellen has a passion for making science more engaging and exciting and, following a degree in biology, became a primary school teacher. She is interested in how best to use children’s curiosity to help them learn, how to teach them skills as well as facts, and how to connect learning to real life. Having seen for herself how constricting the mainstream curriculum can be, she is a passionate advocate of alternative education and a big supporter of Lumiar’s approach.

Craig Brown – Safeguarding Governor

Craig is passionate about securing good outcomes for children and young people and wants to use his skills and experience to help support Lumiar. He is currently employed by Lancashire County Council as an Education Partnership Officer, leading on a multi-agency approach to supporting schools with applying current education strategy. In this role, he has gained experience in safeguarding, community safety, and anti-social behaviour management. In total, Craig has over 14 years experience of working for a Local Authority in various roles. Outside work, Craig is a grassroots football coach, a welfare officer, and committee member for a girls club.

Verena MacDonald – HR Governor

With over a decade of HR expertise, Verena is equipped to support Lumiar by coaching the team, aligning individuals with the school’s objectives, and contributing to other projects. She brings a passion for directly and indirectly supporting children through her established skillset.

Joel Bragg – Health & Safety Governor

Joel has 25 years’ electrical and systems engineering experience in the defence and transport sectors - both of which rely heavily on robust safety critical equipment design and process implementation. This has given Joel a thorough understanding of the application of risk assessment in a wide range of environments, which he is able to put to good use in Lumiar’s unique setting and diverse teaching opportunities. Joel is especially keen to ensure the valuable practical and educational opportunity is offered in unison with upholding the safety of both the school’s students and staff. Joel has two children at the school.