Meet the FLS Team
Julie Dunford,
Director
I completed my BA(hons) degree in French & Management Studies in 2002, followed by my PGCE in KS2 and 3 in 2003. I taught French and was Head of Languages at a boys' secondary school in Kent for ten years. During that time I forged international partnerships with four schools around the world in order to embed global awareness into the school curriculum. I mentored numerous trainee teachers, and was a Specialist Leader in Education and an Outstanding Facilitator, delivering training at other schools. I was nominated for a Pearson’s National Teaching Award and completed my Masters degree in Leadership in Education in 2013.
In 2014 I created my childcare business ‘Petites Etoiles’ so that I could continue teaching, learn about Early Years education and run my own business from home while being with my own children every day. My business grew substantially in just a few years and from 2016 - 2021 I owned and managed a small nursery. My provision was graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for all four areas: effectiveness of leadership and management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare, and outcomes for children.
Having created a special little community for 1-4 year olds, I didn’t want this level of nurture and personalised learning to stop when a child reached ‘compulsory school age’. My experience, extensive research and passion therefore led me to create this unique and very special Family Learning School.
In a world that is changing so fast, education must adapt accordingly. At FLS they learn to work and play in mixed age groups. They learn to manage their time themselves and discover their own unique learning styles whilst understanding that everyone has their own strengths and passions along with their own challenges. They naturally support one another. They problem solve, think critically, choose their own sessions and projects, and develop core skills in small learning groups. They experience many different learning environments each week including spending time learning outdoors. We make the most of the outside space at the farm where they are imaginative and creative, developing confidence and resilience whilst benefiting enormously from the physical exercise and fresh air.
And they have fun. They love learning and remain curious.
FLS is my dream learning environment. I know it has all the ingredients to guarantee our children a world-class, memorable and inspiring education, and the level of flexibility and support we give our families if often life changing. I am so proud of everything that Alida and I have achieved together so far, but know that this is still just the beginning…
Alida Smith, Director
I have a background in business and finance and work at the Financial Times in London. Ten years ago I had a daughter. And that changed everything. The level of exhaustion, hitherto unknown, was overshadowed only by the scale of the joy and the responsibility. I want to raise a whole person – someone who understands and cares that we are all connected. Prior to her birth I tried to research every element of parenting and specifically education. I spoke to many friends to glean the best advice I could. I considered home-schooling but in my mind I dreamt of a learning environment like FLS.
I was brought up in a family that instilled in me a strong desire to learn and grow and improve myself. My husband and I want to provide my daughter with that same kind of nurturing learning environment. I met Julie and found someone who believes, as I do, that there are other ways to effectively educate children. We both place a high premium on life skills, common sense, kindness, global awareness and community. Languages are also incredibly important to me as I feel like they open so many doors. I met Julie while trying to find a childcare provider that cares about the same things. It was a perfect fit. We both agree that the Family Learning School is the answer to providing this holistic education.
I am a businessperson by nature. I manage and lead the flexi-school alongside Julie. We are advocates for all children and offer support to families in the community who want more from their children’s education.
Nicky Johnson, Primary Teacher
I've been a primary teacher since 2005 and during this time have become increasingly aware of the benefits of more child-led approaches to learning, such as home education and forest school. My concern with the mainstream education system and about children’s learning experiences at primary school is partly due to changes in the curriculum and the importance placed on testing, but also due to sharing my own children’s learning journey – from the freedom of early learning at home to the rapidly narrowed focus of formal education from the age of four. Seeing the interaction between my children has also highlighted for me the benefits of a mixed-age learning environment.
I believe that education should take close account of children’s individual abilities, interests and learning styles in order to truly engage children in their own learning, enabling them to advance at their own pace and in a direction suited to their needs, allowing time for learning to become embedded and links to be made with prior understanding. It encompasses more than the academic and endeavours to support children in becoming positive, balanced, confident, caring, engaged and inspired young people.
I followed the progress of FLS with keen interest since the very beginning in 2017, and I have been continually uplifted and inspired by this enlightened approach to teaching. I am thrilled to be part of the team since 2019. I’m enjoying every minute of working with children and families in the FLS community as we continue to grow and develop.
Terri Thompson, Early Years Specialist
I am a qualified teacher since 2005 and Early Years is my specialist area and my passion! In addition to teaching, I am also the mother of three beautiful girls.
I feel very fortunate to be a member of the FLS team. I feel in tune with the aims and ethos of FLS and love engaging with children as individuals, enabling them to learn and develop at their own pace. I have a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Early Years which I bring to FLS. I value the importance of play and the outdoors in child development and I’m passionate about helping children to flourish, develop their confidence, independence and resilience. The Family Learning School approach allows my nurturing nature to make children feel safe and secure. It develops the individual and helps children realise their potential, developing positive self-esteem and wellbeing.
I believe that ‘outstanding’ education stems from the interests of the child: it’s about making connections and engaging children. Children should be enthused and inspired; they need to be able to explore, take risks and have time to absorb and embed their learning.
Being part of FLS is an exciting adventure, making magical memories that stay with children and experiences that help shape them as individuals.
In addition to our Core Team above, we welcome different practitioners to teach a range of sessions in the afternoons, such as Minecraft Education, Farming and Animal Husbandry, Musical Theatre, Guitar and Swimming. We also have a Dyslexia Tutor who comes in once a week to work one to one with some children.
All of our practitioners’ bios can be found in our termly Options Booklet.