Paula Treadaway

(BEd Hons; MA in ICT and Education Management)

Director of Busy Brains LTD

I qualified as a primary teacher in 1997 and have worked in schools for over 20 years as a class teacher and as an Assistant Principal and Head of School.  My experience has seen me teach from Nursery to Year 6 where over the years I held responsibilities for Early Years, English, ICT, Music, Art, DT, Teaching and Learning, Assessment, Recording and Reporting and Year 2 SATs specialist.

My passion for working with children started when I used to go to work with my mum on INSET days at the playgroup she ran.  At home, I was constantly playing schools, making registers and bossing my sisters around!

My first work experience at the age of 15 was in a primary school and I loved it!  This really did confirm to me that I wanted to be a teacher. During my university holidays I worked on holiday playschemes for special needs children which inspired me for my future teaching career. I now have years of experience with the inclusion of children with additional needs including autism and ADHD.

Once I had qualified as a teacher, I worked full time during the week and taught music and percussion to young children on a Saturday morning.  I really enjoyed playing percussion in wind bands, orchestras and brass bands when I was growing up, so being able to teach this to children in a fun and inspiring way was fantastic.  I derived enormous pleasure from seeing them perform in concerts after weeks of hard work and practise.

I have always loved making learning fun and providing enrichment activities that compliment the curriculum.  I ran several extra-curricular clubs whilst teaching including; choir, recorders, newspaper club, creative writing, cookery and art club.  I have run over 20 residential trips for Year 2’s in my time too.  I just love seeing the enjoyment the children get out of being outdoors and taking part in activities they would never ordinarily do.

In 2007, my beautiful daughter was born and my gorgeous son followed in 2010.  Being a mum is just brilliant and I cherish all the time I can spend with them and my husband creating memories..

In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, playing badminton, going for a run and I love planning and going on holidays. I adore watching my daughter dance and my son play football.

Beccy Miller

(BBA in Modern Arts, PGCE)

Teacher

Beccy Miller Busy Brains Teacher
I started my career as a primary teacher in 1996 and am experienced in teaching all age groups from Nursery to Year 6. When teaching full time, I was also responsible for running the 11+ Reasoning Club which helped prepare pupils for their 11+ exams.

 

Since leaving full time teaching, I have worked as part of a team for the Sure Start Children Centre and with Early Years settings in deprived areas helping to raise the standard of teaching and learning.  I have also been working with Osiris Educational, delivering Inset days and long term training support to teachers in school in topics ranging from Early Years to Developing Growth Mindset and creating Outstanding level teaching and learning across all age groups.

 

I am also the director of my own life coach business, trained EFT practitioner and an author, specialising in emotional well being.  I’m currently writing a range of resources for schools. I absolutely love tutoring as it provides me with the opportunity to still engage one to one with children and their families, helping to make a positive difference in children’s confidence and their learning.

Georgina Dance

Teacher

(BA (Hons) Primary with QTS)

Georgina Dance Busy Brains tutor

I qualified as a primary school teacher in 2017 after training for 3 years at the University of Hertfordshire. During my time at university I completed 3 placements in Years 5, 1 and 3 before completing my final year in a year 1 class. Before university, I carried out work experience in a range of schools so that I could get an insight into how different schools are run. I currently teach a Year 1 class full time. My job is so rewarding and it fills me with pride to see the confidence that my class move up to year 2 with.

Working in a Year 1 class means that each year I administer the Phonics Screening Check and have been doing so for the past 2 years. I also support the Year 2 children that are required to resit the screening.

I believe that it is important to plan and deliver lessons that are fun and motivate children to learn. I feel it is crucial to support children in developing a growth mindset which will allow them to progress with their learning.

Alongside teaching I volunteer, within the Girl Guiding movement, as an assistant unit leader at a local Rainbows unit. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, shopping and exploring new holiday destinations.

Gemma Archer

Teacher

(BSC (Hons) Psychology, QTS, PGCE)

My initial interest in teaching started whilst volunteering at my local primary school. During this time, I worked with a year 4 class leading intervention groups in maths and English. The intervention groups consisted of a small number of pupils who were identified by the class teachers as needing extra support to aid their development in class. In addition to leading intervention groups I also volunteered for the ‘parent reader scheme’, as part of this scheme I read with children from year 1 to year 6. Following voluntary work, I was offered a position as a TA in year 1. I thoroughly enjoyed working as a TA and was eventually moved to lead intervention groups across all year groups. 

After working as a teaching assistant for a year I started my teacher training. My placements were across both KS1 and KS2 and I really enjoyed working  and benefitting from seeing the progression from key stage one to key stage two. 

After completing my teacher training, I worked as a supply teacher before taking a position as Year 5/6 teacher – this gave me the opportunity to teach across a range of year groups gaining valuable experience throughout key stage one and two. I take great pleasure in planning and delivering creative lessons which allow children to reach their full potential. As a year 5/6 teacher I have experience in SATS preparation.  I have recently been working with home-schooled pupils to support their learning as they move in to KS3. 

In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends.

Wesley Andrews

Teacher

(BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS)

I qualified to teach in 2018 and gained 3 years worth of experience in a variety of North London schools. Having successfully secured my first teaching post in my final placement school I later progressed as a curriculum leader in a neighbouring school. Most recently, I have moved to Kuwait to teach in the British international school.

I have experience of whole class teaching across KS1 and KS2 and have successfully tutored children in KS2 since 2016. As I am tutoring internationally my sessions are held on Zoom or Google Meets.

I believe tutoring sessions need to be personal and memorable. Making learning fun and ‘sticky’ and regular knowledge retrieval is essential for long term memory retention.

When I’m not teaching I am usually spending time with my two young sons who keep me very busy! Technology is my joy, I love being up to date with the latest tech and trying out new education software. I also love to explore and there is plenty to explore in Kuwait!

Dawn Wildman

(BEd Hons; Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Mathematics Specialist Teaching)

Director of Busy Brains LTD

I qualified as a teacher in 2005 but started my career working in the financial industry and although very successful, I never felt fully fulfilled in my role.  After starting a family and having three lovely children, one of whom is now a teacher herself, I ran a playgroup.  It was at  this point that I realised my vocation lay in teaching.

My first experience of working in a primary school was as a volunteer parent reader which progressed quickly to the role of a  teaching assistant and then teacher due to the inspirational support and mentoring of the head teacher.  I completed my teacher training and I have never looked back.

I have worked in schools for over 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of roles, including the role of Assistant Principal, which I successfully held for five years.  My teaching and leadership experience ranges across each primary key stage from Nursery to Year 6.   During this time  I have had  curriculum responsibilities for Maths and History; was the Primary Behaviour Lead; Student Teacher Mentor; Upper Key Stage 2 Phase Leader; and Year 6 SATS Specialist.

My passion for teaching and love of enabling children to learn in a vibrant and happy atmosphere is, I firmly believe, crucial.  My teaching career has always been very rewarding and in each role, from a playgroup leader to a senior leader across an all through three form entry successful school,  I have always strongly believed that learning should be fun and at the heart of all that I do.

My other passion in life apart from my family and teaching is sport, I love to play badminton and tennis and like to challenge myself doing fun runs for charity.

Wendy Brown

(BA(QTS) in Physical Education & Science
– Advanced Skills Teacher )

Teacher

I qualified as a secondary school teacher in 1995 and have worked in schools for over 20 years as a class teacher, head of department, assistant head of year, advanced skills teacher, seconded teacher and member of SLT.

My experience has seen me teach from Nursery to Year 13 and over the past 7 years supported schools in both England and Scotland, developing learning and teaching, unpicking pedagogy and helping schools develop their practice to support all learners.

My passion for working with children started at school when I helped my teachers run extra curricular clubs for the younger students and outside school as a swimming teacher, trampoline coach and sports enthusiast! I always wanted to be a teacher and thoroughly loved the profession.

My love of teaching has grown from being in my own classroom to supporting teachers in theirs. I run courses and training in metacognition, mindset, revision and various teaching and learning principles. I enjoy adapting training to the needs of the schools. I love helping teachers reignite their passion for the job, develop fresh teachers to the profession and support school leaders in their journeys to support their staff and students. This is also my passion for working with young people.

My daughter is in year 11, my son in Year 9 and although I feel I am sitting my GCSE’s again, I am glad that I can support them both through a rather stressful time. Being hands on again, reteaching aspects they might have forgotten has rekindled my passion for working with children and not just adults!

I have always loved making learning fun and providing enrichment activities that compliment the curriculum. I ran over 30 dance shows and productions while teaching as well as girls teams in all subjects. Some of my most memorable moments were when my dancers performed at the Royal Albert Hall and in front of the Samoan Rugby team! I have continued this creativity into my training and tuition which is always hands on and can be implemented into the classroom the very next day.

In my spare time, I enjoy most sports, spending time with my family, making memories, travel and supporting my children as they flourish into super individuals.

Niki Swan

Teacher

(BA (Hons) Business Studies; QTS)

Niki Swan Busy Brains tutor

My original career was in Human Resources. With over 20 years working for various organisations in different areas of HR including strategy, culture development, designing and delivering training and development as well as an International HR Director, I also enjoyed being a lecturer at West Herts College on a variety of courses from undergraduate to postgraduate.

In 2008 my daughter was born and I decided to focus on home life for a while and set up my own HR consultancy. In 2011 my son was born. During this time I recognised the transferable skills between HR, lecturing and teaching and so decided to return to university to retrain to be a teacher.

I initially volunteered in Year 1, assisting the Teacher and reading with the children. Seeing their joy of learning and their non judgemental view of the world fuelled my passion to ignite the incredible imagination and potential children have. I have now been working in the education sector for over 6 years with experience in Early Years to lower KS2.

I have also run ArtSquad, an After School Art Club for KS1 up to Year 7. I am Art and History Subject Leader and also run a School Gardening Club.

I strongly believe using a creative, fun approach helps to engage children with their learning.  Understanding and utilising their interests when delivering engaging sessions in an innovative way helps to unlock their potential.

In my spare time, I enjoy learning and applying new art techniques, exploring the outdoors with my family and our little dog Ruby plus off road cycling.

Vicki Ford

Teacher

(BSC (Hons) Psychology, PGCE, NPQSL, NPQH)

I qualified as a primary teacher in 2008 and have worked in a variety of schools, both in the UK and abroad as a Class Teacher, Phase Leader, Assistant Head and now as a Deputy Head Teacher. I have over 15 years of full time teaching experience and have taught from Reception to Year 6. Throughout my career I have held leadership responsibilities for Art, Maths, Teaching and Learning, Assessment, Behaviour, Key Stage One and Two and Year 6 SATs specialist.

My passion for teaching began at a young age as I listened to family members share their experiences in the classroom, played schools and took registers as a child with my stuffed toys! This passion continued throughout my own journey through Primary School and I felt inspired and guided throughout my childhood by the adults surrounding me. I strongly believe that a child’s primary school years are significant in shaping their attitude towards education and learning and that supporting them to think of learning as exciting, will encourage them to fulfil their potential.

After qualifying as a teacher, my passion for learning continued with the inspirational support and mentoring that I received from senior leaders within the school I was working in. This encouraged me to strive for leadership positions throughout my career and I have recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship. My strengths in teaching have always been focused on the enjoyment of learning, the developments in how children learn and the importance of building positive relationships in order for children to thrive and flourish. I particularly love teaching Maths. I didn’t find maths easy at school, however I went on to achieve A level Maths due to the ways in which I was taught to see the problems. Supporting children to develop an enquiring mind and hold the belief that they ‘can do it’ has always been my passion.

In my spare time, I volunteer for a local charity which provides companionship for older people and listening to their stories always puts a smile on my face! I enjoy swimming, seeing friends and family and making memories with my son,  nephews and god-children. We love exploring new holiday destinations as a family!

Courtney Bruner

Teacher

(BA Elementary Education and Special Education; ESOL)

I obtained my QTS in 2014 after completing a combined degree in primary and special education from an American university whilst living in Suffolk. I then spent the next 9 years teaching in a variety of schools across England. I have taught years 3-6, in addition to holding a range of subject responsibilities across the primary phases. I led English for a number of years in my post as an Assistant Head, where I also supported the school’s well being initiatives, inclusion practices and ran the UKS2 ‘press team’.
After working for a number of years in primary schools, I transitioned to teaching maths and science in a secondary school where I focused on one of my passions: supporting students with additional support needs and those at risk of leaving education. As a lead teacher, I developed alternative maths and science curriculums for KS3 as well as taking on the strategic oversight for an outdoor education provision for some of our most vulnerable students. It was at this time that I also became a governor for two special education provision schools.
In the spring of 2023, I made the difficult decision to leave the classroom and now work from home for a charity that supports getting young people with learning disabilities and autism into full time, paid employment. Although I love what I do, I miss the connection I had within the classroom and look forward to creating this with the students I support as a tutor.