My inspiration
Welcome to Happy Home Learning! I’m on a one woman mission to teach you how to make learning easier, active and more fun! Inspired, during lockdown, by the challenges of supporting Rosa-Mae’s learning, with her little sister Edith in tow, and my discovery that teaching in the classroom is very different to teaching at home, I established Happy Home Learning. I can’t wait to share over 20 years of teaching expertise and stealthy tips as a busy mum.
Teaching
My experience began with teaching children in a specialist SEN school before teaching in a school where most children spoke English as an additional language. Since then, I have taught children aged 3-11, in a number of different boroughs, for over 20 years.
My senior leadership roles, in outstanding London schools, have involved leading on homework policies, parent workshops, English, The Early Years Foundation Stage, transition, phonics and English as an Additional Language.
Publications
I am proud to have featured on Teachers TV and in The Times Educational Supplement, to share best practice in supporting children’s speech and language, reading and writing development.
In my role as a Literacy Specialist, whilst working in a London knowledge centre for the teaching of writing, I regularly demonstrated lessons and presented to groups of Headteachers to help guide and inspire.
This year, my simple, effective tips for time-poor parents featured alongside seven education and parenting experts in the book ‘Big, Little Conversations!’
You are your child's first educator
I am most passionate about empowering families. I know the pain points and I truly believe that when you are equipped with the right skills and knowledge, you will make a huge difference!
This passion inspired the creation of a published home/school reading record book. Professionally printed, this comprehensive guide to phonics and reading homework has supported thousands of parents and carers up and down the country.
More recently, I supported teachers and parents as a Specialist Leader of Education for both Literacy and the Early Years and created university teacher training materials, to support students to make times table homework meaningful and fun.
Parent Workshops
“Argh. I keep telling him ‘c-a-t’ (this mum used the letter names), why can’t he read it?”
Life’s too short for homework battles. Our family time is precious!
After discovering, in my first year of teaching, that families were struggling to support their child’s learning at home, I introduced English and maths parent workshops. The school teaching methods have changed so much since we were at school and the national expectations continue to rise.
“We have loved this. It’s like my child understands maths in a way they never did before. The curriculum also makes sense to me, which is a huge bonus.”
Once you understand the latest school methods, and you know how to offer appropriate challenge, you’ll be able to inspire your child’s love of learning, boost their confidence and progress, and enjoy learning together.
“My relationship with my children around learning has improved so much. It now feels like we are on a journey learning together, rather than simply jumping through homework hurdles.”
The Happy Home Learning parent workshops and activity tins are now supporting thousands of families and children in schools to make learning easier, active and more fun.
