As a youngster, I felt empowered by being a member of the Old Vic, Young Vic, Cockpit and Secondwave youth theatres. I also attended a performing arts school (a miserable experience) which nevertheless enabled me to study dance, drama, and music. Prior to teacher training, I was an arts administrator.

Throughout thirty years of teaching, I have incorporated the arts wherever possible. Increasingly, I have become disillusioned with the neoliberal policies which impact education and the rigid delivery of the curriculum. This has given me the impetus to seek creative and holistic ways of working. I hope to use the skills I develop(ed) in bringing spoken word/text/illustrations ‘alive’, particularly through using books for children & YA. I have a passion for social justice issues and literacy; themes which interest me include mental health, trauma, well-being, and black history. I hope that the EdD I am doing will provide a useful theoretical framework for my work.

Please tell us in a few words what excites you most about Foundry:

I am thrilled that I am getting the chance to reboot how I work and with whom! I think it’s going to be a very exciting journey which will hopefully improve who I am as a practitioner, broaden my mind, hone my skills, and enhance how I work with others.”