MEET THE TEAM
Catherine
Stride Director and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
BA (Hons) PGCE.
Catherine is an experienced professional who has successfully taught in both Secondary and Primary education for thirty-two years both in mainstream and in special education and medical needs settings. She has most recently worked in an advisory role to the Local Authority.
Since 2012, Catherine has worked with and taught children and young people in either a one to one or group setting who are suffering with anxiety. As a result, the Stride anxiety programme has been assembled based on both Catherine’s extensive experience as well as her observations of methods. These methods are needed in order to support and improve the lives of children and young people suffering with anxiety.
Susanne
Art and Creative Therapies Facilitator and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
MA in Children’s Illustration. BA (Hons) in Sports Science, Art and English Literature. Diploma in Child Education.
Susanne has worked with youth and young children within various institutions in the UK but also in Denmark where she qualified as a pedagog (child educator).
​
Aside from being a trained illustrator, Susanne is a best selling children’s author and patron of reading - giving year-round talks and workshops in various educational settings.
Susanne believes that we learn best when we feel safe, secure, and supported and this is at the core of her work with STRIDE. When a good learning atmosphere is secured, there can be great therapeutic value in being allowed to engage and express ourselves creatively.
Lorna
Student Advisor and Funding Coordinator
BA (Hons) Psychology and Marketing
Lorna comes from a background of Project and Programme Management and IT Sales. However, after becoming ill with M.E. she undertook a lot of voluntary work with mental health charities and those with learning and physical disabilities.
Lorna brings a wealth of experience from all sectors and as well as helping with funding and promoting Stride, she has a passion for helping children achieve their full potential and work towards managing their anxiety.
Jamal
Maths Teacher
BSc. Hons. PGCE 11-18 Mathematics.
Jamal is a specialist Maths teacher with 26 year's experience, as both a teacher and within management roles. He is uniquely able to build students’ confidence in their maths ability in order to raise their achievement.
​
His strengths include his supportive yet thorough approach to Maths teaching. If someone is taught Maths by Jamal, they can be certain that he will be able to assist all students to feel reassured and make progress, whatever their ability.
Cheryl
Teacher of Art and Creative Therapies
BA (Hons) Fine Art, PGCE, MA (Artist Teacher- Reflective Thinking)
Cheryl has always worked within the field of creativity; as a graphic designer, managing an art gallery and working as a Schools Liaison Officer at University College London.
After gaining her teaching qualifications, Cheryl worked in both Secondary and Primary Schools, eventually tutoring one to one students who were struggling with their studies.
As a freelance artist Cheryl has completed many commissions and exhibits her work