Meet the Staff

All of the staff are experienced practitioners in outdoor learning and fully trained in first aid.

            Andy Taylor.

         Centre Principal.

Andy is a qualified primary teacher with many years experience of teaching groups in the outdoors. Along with nine years classroom teaching he has worked in environmental education for Severn Trent Water and Herefordshire Nature Trust, and spent a short time teaching science at Weobley High School. He has worked at Bockleton since 2002, and took over as Principal in September 2005.

As well as having a passion for wildlife and conservation, Andy is a keen rock climber and mountaineer with much experience in Britain and Europe.

          Helen Brown.

       Deputy Principal.

Helen is a qualified Primary teacher.  She started her teaching career in a boarding school teaching mainly PE, where she stayed for 3 years.  Sport has been Helen's main passion throughout her life but snow skiing is her favourite.  After leaving teaching, Helen decided she had to work in the outdoors, so she spent a Summer in Greece working as a Water-ski instructor and a Winter in France working as a snow ski guide.  In September 2004, Helen started work at Bockleton, and became Deputy in January 2006.

In the school holidays in 2005, Helen went out to New Zealand to train to be a Ski Instructor. She now is a lead organiser on one of the Birmingham school ski trips.  

          Sarah Sumner.

              Tutor.

Sarah qualified as a primary school teacher in 2004 and taught at a primary school in Birmingham for 2 years. During this time she was also involved in taking groups on residential experiences. Sarah particularly enjoyed working with her class through an environmental project in the school’s adjacent woodland, which led her to working here at Bockleton in 2006.

Sarah also spent a number of years as a Cub and Scout leader in Birmingham and enjoys camping and walking.  She is working towards ‘walking group leader’ qualification.  

          Suzie Wolff.

             Tutor.

Suzie is our adventurous activity specialist.  She began her working life for six years as an Occupational Therapist. While travelling she got a taste of the outdoors and worked for 2 ski seasons in France. She has worked for six years as an outdoor educator for Bucks County Council and is now based at Bockleton for three days a week. Her qualifications include SPA, Summer Mountain Leader trained, L3 inland kayak coach, archery leader, and L3 sailing coach. Suzie has a particular interest in working with special needs and minority groups in the outdoor environment. In her spare time she enjoys all outdoor sports, but especially kayaking.