Our Staff

Our aim is to provide children attending Great Wood Farm with the support of qualified, passionate and committed staff. We are proud to have such a highly qualified team, we have 11 staff who are qualified teachers or Early Years Professionals/Teachers, and a further five with degrees, creating a graduate led team across the nursery. We have 13 Forest School Level 3 Leaders who work across all ages of the nursery.

  • key person relationship
  • staff wellbeing puppy cuddles
  • zentangling staff wellbeing

Ofsted commented ‘All staff have a thorough understanding of their roles and responsibilities to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Leadership of the nursery is exceptional. Staff are well qualified and experienced. This has a positive impact on the outcomes for children.’

A Key Person system operates in each room. A key person will be your main point of contact and help your child to become settled, happy and safe.  They will be responsible for your child’s care, development and learning and take note of your child’s progress, sharing this with you via Eylog.

The Team at Great Wood Farm

Directors                   

Kathryn Spence (Office Manager)

Charlotte Littler (Office Manager) - BSc (Hons) Countryside Management, Forest School Leader Level 3

Kate Robinson (Manager, Lead Practitioner, SENCo) - BSc (Hons) Countryside Management, Early Years Professional Status, Forest School Leader Level 3

Farmer

Brian Spence (aka Farmer Brian!)

Deputy Managers      

Laura Donoyou - BA (Hons) Illustration, Cert III Early Years Education and Care, Diploma Early Years Education and Care, Early Childhood Teacher Status 

Emma Lock - NVQ (CACHE) Children and Young People's Workforce - Level 3 - Currently on Maternity Leave

Pedagogy Lead Teacher

Jessica Jack - BA (Hons) Woven Textiles, Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Primary), Forest School Leader Level 3

Education Administrator

Robyn Burley - BA (Hons) Education Studies, Diploma Level 3, Early Years Teacher Status, Forest School Leader Level 3

Kindergarten Badgers              

Fiona Warren (Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Forest School Leader Level 3

Lydia Holt - (Assistant Room Leader) BA (Hons) Early Years and Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary)

Emily Alderson  - BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics, Qualified Teacher Status, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary)

David King - BSc Marine Biology, PGCE in Primary Education, Forest School Leader Level 3

Jane Brown - Level 3

Kitty Bailey - BA (Hons) Fashion Atelier, Level 3, SENDCo, Forest School Leader Level 3

Kindergarten Foxes  

Sheryl Schofield (Room Leader) - CACHE Diploma Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 2

Emily Lee (Assistant Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Childhood Studies 

Claire Hewitt  - BSc Marine Biology, Qualified Teacher Status, Forest School Leader Level 3

Lyndsey Hollingworth - BTEC Level 3

Robert Marlow  - Forest School and Outdoor Learning Lead Educator, Forest School Leader Level 3 

Zoe Cook  - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Qualified Teacher Status, Forest School Leader Level 3 - Currently on Maternity Leave

Kindergarten Hares

Sammy Hawkins (Room Leader) - Diploma Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 3

Bryony Charles (Early Years Teacher) - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Qualified Teacher Status 

Beth Mair - Working towards Level 3 Early Years Educator, Level 3 in Teaching and Supporting Sport in Primary Schools

Heather Littler

Toddlers                   

Emily-Mae Lane (Room Leader and SENDCo) - BTEC Level 3

Sharon McGown (Early Years Teacher) - BA (Hons) Applied Studies (Early Childhood), Early Years Professional Status

Nicquita Murray (Assistant Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Forest School Leader Level 3

Allie Abbott - BA (Hons) Sports Education and Psychology, PGCE with QTS

Dee Forster - Foundation Degree in Early Years, Forest School Leader Level 3

Jennie Evans - NNEB National Diploma in Nursery Nursing

Lani Fletcher  - Working towards Level 2

Maddy Baker - T Level Education and Early Years

Babies              

Michelle Farmer  (Room Leader) - Level 3

Lauren Hall (Assistant Room Leader) - Level 3 Early Years Educator

Steph Barker (Assistant Room Leader) NVQ Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 3

Georgina Bates - Level 3

Imogen Oswald  - Level 2 in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People

Isobel Rigley (Babies and Toddlers SENDCo) -  Level 3

Louise Alexander

Judi Allsopp

Rachel Newton - CACHE Certificate in Childcare and Education Level 2

Rosie Hardman - Level 3

Rangers

Robert Marlow (Room Leader)  - Forest School Leader Level 3 

Sammy Hawkins (Room Leader) - Diploma Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 3

Emily-Mae Lane (Assistant Room Leader and SENDCo) - BTEC Level 3

Dee Forster  - Foundation Degree in Early Years, Forest School Leader Level 3 

Zoe Cook  - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Qualified Teacher Status, Forest School Leader Level 3 - Currently on Maternity Leave

Social Media Assistant

Totty Schofield - Early Years Teacher Status

Kitchen

Rachel Collins (Catering Manager) 

Daniel Baker (Catering Assistant)

Lisa Baker (Catering Assistant)

Tia Wills (Catering Assistant)

Office Administrators

Sara White 

Jackie Bishop

Natalie Tudor

Floaters

Aerienne Collins - Level 3 

Becca Watkin - Level 3, SEN Level 2

Charlie Hames - Working towards Level 3

Katie Allen - BA (Hons) Education Studies

Lily-Ann Baker 

Martyna Wielgus - Level 2

Maintenance Manager 

Joe Hornblow - BSc Biological Science (Ecology & Zoology), Forest School Leader Level 3