The Guild Experience

FOUNDER / HEAD OF PROJECT BASED LEARNING / MATHS TEACHER

James is a qualified secondary maths and economics teacher with over 10 years’ teaching experience, including as head of maths and a member of the senior leadership team at The Winter Term, Switzerland. He holds a degree in Economics and Education Studies from Cambridge, UK and a PGCE from Oxford University. He was a Programme Director for Project International, running summer camps for up to 200 students, and completed over 1000 hours of tutoring and mentoring. He has also sailed around the world. He has now decided to found his own project to offer young people an extraordinary opportunity to learn in an environment that inspires curiosity, compassion for others and aiming for the highest possible personal standards.

FOUNDER / HEAD OF WELLBEING / SCIENCE TEACHER

Pip was the head of science, and a member of the senior leadership team at The Winter Term, from 2016-2022, and an EFL teacher at Project International from 2012-2016. He has a degree in neuroscience from the University of Bristol, specializing in the neuroscientific principles of learning in young people. He worked at the education charity PEAS, which supports children to access quality secondary education in countries across Africa. He is a BWY qualified yoga teacher and has successfully taught the logic and practice of insight meditation to over 300 students. He is an artist and a semi-professional craftsman, and is currently building his own house. He is also a singer and musician. Helping students build curiosity, find the joy in community, and develop a well-earned confidence in themselves are some of the greatest joys in his life.

HEAD OF LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, ARTS & HUMANITIES

Paddy has over thirty years experience teaching secondary school age students. She trained originally as an English and drama teacher, but has gone on to teach a range of arts and humanities subjects. She spent some time working for the Aga Khan Education Services in Tanzania writing and illustrating text books at an appropriate language level for EFL secondary students in East Africa. Back in the UK she was responsible for introducing courses in critical thinking, philosophy, ethics and world religions to her school curriculum, including very successful programmes designed to stretch and challenge high ability learners. Her educational resources are published online by the Times Educational Supplement. Her interests include art, crafting, gardening and yoga.

HEAD OF WORK EXPERIENCE / ENVIRONMENTAL & LAND BASED SCIENCES TEACHER

Geoff has a broad and deep background in teaching, having over 30 years experience in a variety of educational settings. Qualifications include BSc Hons Science and the Environment, PGCE, Advanced Diploma in Special Educational Needs, and M.Ed. He has over 20 years in secondary school in a variety of roles including Head of Science and Advanced Skills Teacher, plus working for VSO in Tanzania. Much of his focus is on experiential learning and links with the farming industry, including several years as Chair of the School Farms Network. He has co-authored many GCSE biology Teachers’ Guide books for Nelson Thornes and written much on–line learning material for Oxford University Press. His interests include gardening and arboriculture, and he is a seasoned semi-professional musician and composer.