Dr. Tawanda Madhlangobe is a leading educator, academic and father of two. He qualified as a teacher from the University of Zimbabwe in 1993. Tawanda is deeply committed to the well-being of disadvantaged learners, hence his pursuit of a Bachelor of Philosophy in Special Educational Needs at the University of Birmingham. He then went on to study for a Master of Education at the University of Hertfordshire, awarded with a commendation. In his research, Tawanda focused on how to measure and understand disaffection as part of these studies. In 2008, Tawanda distinguished himself as a recipient of the Teacher of the Year award London Secondary School category for his outstanding work with disaffected students. He went on to study for a Doctorate in Education Degree investigating how educators use the experiences of students to design alternative curriculum provisions.

Melisa is a qualified SENCo and teacher specialising in Special and Inclusive education. She has over 10 years of experience leading and working with children and young people in youth offending, education, youth targeted support in diverse settings, and is passionate about education and committed to breaking down barriers to ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for all. As a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, Melisa actively work towards creating awareness and understanding with a strong commitment to student wellbeing.

"I am a passionate educator with experience teaching both peripatetically and classroom music. Before working at Home Tree School, I taught at 5 schools in Norfolk delivering instrumental lessons to classrooms and individual students from key stage 2 up to key stage 4. Whilst doing this, I also had just over 60 private students studying guitar, bass guitar and banjo for weekly lessons. My students have a 100% pass rate when taking graded examinations.

When I am not delivering music, I am performing with a function band around the country called The Walks as a bassist. My work has allowed me to perform at extravagant venues, festivals and recording studios around the United Kingdom.

Other than having a passion for music, I also greatly enjoy raising awareness and funding for West Norfolk Mind mental health charity. My fundraising efforts include skydiving from 13,000ft, cycling 300 miles from London to Paris and summiting the world’s tallest freestanding mountain Mount Kilimanjaro and most recently, I have cycled from Lands’ End to John O Groats during the summer holidays. Because of my charity work, I was awarded the title of Charity Champion of West Norfolk."

"I have been working in the Education system for about 10 years, both in Primary and Secondary education.  I completed my degree in Psychology and Sociology and particularly l enjoyed applying both these disciplines to fairy tales.  I have been teaching English for nearly 10 years and have thoroughly enjoyed teaching and am still enjoying the challenge.  I have many hobbies and these include reading, exercise and gaming."

"For twenty-five years I have worked in education firstly as a mainstream drama teacher than as a head of department in charge of performing arts. After six years I left to complete a masters degree in Drama and theatre in education. I then took a position as a head teacher at a special school where I stayed for 6 years using drama and theatre at the centre of the learning. I then specialised in re-engaging disaffected students back in to education and 1:1 work which I enjoy along with being a home tutor for CareTech.

My education history is a Drama degree. Drama and English PGCE and an MA in drama and theatre in education."

I’m Sonia and before becoming a fully qualified teacher I was involved in the provision of Early Years education.   Immediately prior to working at Home Tree School, I spent 16 years working in secondary and further education settings, teaching a range of age groups including KS3, KS4 and KS5.  I have taught a variety of subjects across these age groups, including History, Religious Education and Sociology to GCSE and/or Advanced Level.  I have also instructed in Geography, ICT and English to the lower year groups. 

At Home Tree School I am responsible for the delivery of the Humanities subjects, and running assemblies twice a week.

My interests outside work include socialising with friends and family, yoga, walking, cycling, and visiting historic sites/museums.

“Ady has previously been employed in both mainstream and specialist education settings, specialising in Art, other creative subjects and English (Language and Literature). In addition, he has worked for homeless and social care organisations from the charity sector and also local authorities where as a project development officer, he delivered and set up youth projects to reduce youth offending.

Throughout his working career Ady has used art as a medium to bring about personal and community change. He has delivered art lessons in rural and urban settings, both indoors and outdoors. Ady is a painter, but can also turn his hand to model making and 3D works. He is especially keen on the use of recycled and reused objects.

Ady is a creative musician, working locally to create music across rock, acoustic and electronic genres. He paints most days and also uses his time to maintain an allotment as well as volunteering at a children’s holiday activity club.”

"Prior to working at Home Tree School, I was serving in the British Army for 14 years, employed within the Royal Military Police. In 2010, I left the Army to start a family and subsequently took a 7-year career gap in order to bring up my 2 children. It was during my time as a full-time mother that I realised how rewarding a career in education would be. I obtained my Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools qualification and began my career with a charity providing bespoke educational packages for children, aged 14-16, who have been excluded from mainstream school. I then moved onto working as a Teaching Assistant at Home Tree School, which seemed a natural progression in my new career.

Outside of work, I am a member of a local running club and enjoy participating in competitive races of distances ranging from 5k to marathons. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family."

“My name is Cheyenne, and I am a teaching assistant at Home Tree School. I studied Teaching Assistant Level 2 and 3 at The College of West Anglia. I volunteered in mainstream primary schools whilst I studied and cared for my two young children. I spent 4 years trying to gain employment as a teaching assistant. With no luck, I continued to volunteer in schools. My nephew was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in 2019. After helping meet his care needs, I decided I wanted a career in this sector to better my knowledge and help support young people struggling with not only special educational needs but also mental health needs.

Home Tree School gave me this opportunity in May 2021, and I enjoy every minute of it.

My job title is Teaching Assistant, but I deliver health and social care, and I am also a key worker.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.”

Hello I am Kai, I am a teaching assistant, I came to Home Tree School after working in children’s homes for a few years. I have a few quirky hobbies including LARP, airsoft.   

Matthew is a passionate and self-motivated individual and a graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu, Nigeria.

He also holds a Masters degree from the same Institution. Taught briefly as a Maths and Science School Teacher before going into Engineering practice. He Practised as a Registered Engineer in the field of Electrical Building services and was engaged in Designing, Draughting (AUTOCAD) and Supervision of Electrical service project back home in Nigeria. He was involved in Designing, Draughting and Supervision of Electrical Service Projects for Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in Nigeria.

In his free time he likes listening to good music and exercising.

Hello I am Gemma, I am a teaching assistant.

I came to Home Tree School after working as a health care assistant in a hospital.

I enjoy going hiking in my spare time

Hello my name is Caroline, I am a teaching assistant at home tree school, I have previously worked in a secondary school and in a residential home beforehand. I enjoy helping the young people to be the best they can be. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family friends and my dog going on walks, yoga, meditation and the gym. 

Hello I am Angela and I am the new Administrator at Home Tree School.

After working in an admin role for the last 22 years in busy traffic office of haulage company I have decided to have a change and do something a bit different.

I have 2 children and a grandson who suffer with Autism.

In my spare time I help out at Emma’s Hedgehog Hospital where I go out to events to help raise much need funds, I am also in charge of the stock items we sell.