Creative Education and Mentoring, for sensitive children and young people.
Creative Education and Mentoring, for sensitive children and young people.
Creative Education and Mentoring,, for sensitive children and young people.
“With over 31 years of professional teaching experience, I am excited to now be at the helm of my own world of creative education for children and young people, in a dedicated space in Forest Row, East Sussex.
I place focus on creating a pleasant physical environment which is chemical free, with healthy lighting, ventilation, low technology use.
I love creating a unique learning experience for each child, achieving this through the building of confidence, via tailored and free flow learning and playful activities.
I’ll be guiding children through project learning, inspired by their interests.
At the core of my work is the emotional well being of the child. Only when that is fully supported, can easeful learning take place.
I consistently found learning in primary schools to be so fast paced, that just when a child is at their moment of flow and deep interest in a task, the direction changes or the children are asked to stop, to line up, etc. Along with the blanket use of flourescent tube lighting, the prevention of playtimes when there’s just a bit of rain (severance from nature), a focus on being seated when children love to move, and this felt incongruous to me and the feeling built up so much: I had to leave. I accept that schools are doing their best, but when teaching alone with a class of 30 pupils, often without a teaching assistant (in main stream), if a child has an extra expressive nature, or difficulty with sustained concentration, then the ‘ordinary school’ system can become very challenging.
Children can then sometimes feel that they are ‘behind’ or ‘not clever’ - and it is not the child - it is the system not meeting their needs.
As a teacher in special needs schools too (which are places where the staff work very hard) I also found, little access to nature, strip lighting, poor ventilation, low quality food. This is of course, not all SEN schools, but as a teacher, I struggled in those environments and I am certain that it will have affected the children too.
My creative education and mentoring service acts as a bridge between educational establishments, or form part of a Home School network schedule, or a chance to restore after negative school experiences, or an opportunity to power up on skills missed from being out of school.
Please note - I do not ‘tutor’ children for exams or respond to any request that might cause them anxiety. I can ‘do it’ - I was awarded Grade One by Ofsted in one school, as I am an experienced, high quality educator. I have tutored children in the past, to gain scholarships, to pass exams etc, etc, but… my joy lies in a different realm of education, by raising confidence through exciting, fun, creative learning. I want children to feel safe, happy and honoured for every little step they make - with no judgement. This approach is critical when a child is sensitive.
When confidence is gained, through support and encouragement, attainment will occur naturally.”
Questions you may have:
WHAT is a ‘sensitive child’? A sensitive child is a term I use to describe a child that may benefit from some 1:1 time, where the pressure is off, and their special needs met. Some may be at mainstream, state or private school and just need some focus to rebuild confidence, and thereby raise attainment, others may be struggling to attend school, or be waiting for a special needs school place. At some level, we all have some ‘special needs’ and my role is to support each child with what ever is presented to me.
HOW do I teach?
I create a free flowing education experience, tailor made for each child. I use a vast array of resources to do this, including art and craft materials, sewing, basic woodwork, the use of theatre and role play, textiles, stories, etc…
I integrate many kinaesthetic activites and as much art and craft as possible. Due to my innate creativity, I am able to flow ‘in the moment’ and have no wish to stick to any plan if it does not support the child. I will always honour the flow of the child and be ready to change direction in the moment, to enhance and maximise the flow of learning.
I use ‘sound healing’ instruments, such as chimes, flutes etc which I have found to greatly support regulation. These may also be used with creative story telling to support imagination and language.
WHAT do I teach?
Each child is different. I may loosely follow the National Curriculum and integrate elements of the Waldorf Steiner approach, which may incluce a free flowing, project based learning style. The key reason for choosing to leave the school system is because I want to support children with their passion and their interests - creating a genuine keenness for learning.For some children a play based curriculum may be their main access to learning and I have a great range of resources to support this.
WHY do I choose to teach like this?
I love creating sensitive and welcoming environments for children and young people. After decades of ‘suffering’ teaching under strip lights, linear rows of chairs, ’Smart’ Boards, photocopied work sheets… I want to do what my heart desires - to see children flourishing and gaining confidence, enjoying learning and progressing at their natural pace, rather than feel they ‘should’ be at a certain rank, and if they don’t, they may feel ‘inadequate’ or ‘behind’ - and feelings like this can permeate through a lifetime. I love working in a different way.
WHEN do I take pupils?
I take pupils Mondays-Thursdays during term time, and also during holidays. Time tables are arranged with families according to need and availability. Weekend sessions can also be considered on an ad hoc basis.
WHERE do I work?
Sessions take place in a dedicated education space in my home, in Forest Row, East Sussex.I also utilise part of my home (the part adjacent to the gardnen) as a relaxing, nurturing, cosy, space.”
FAQ’S
The education space is a curated environment to enable a sense of relaxation.
Chemical free home. Organic fruit and spring water are available for children. Children height specific tables and chairs for optimum ergonomics.
Cost of sessions:
1 hour, £50.
2 + hours, £40 per hour.
Sessions can be shared with other pupils of a similar ability, enabling parents to split the cost - this is arranged externally by the parents.
More details, Terms and Conditions, my documents etc, are sent via e mail before sessions start.
“I’ve spent a lifetime, dedicated to the education and well being of children, in the UK and globally.”
Here are some nitty gritty details sharing some of life working with children.
B.A.Hons (Humanities),1986
P.G.C.E Goldsmiths, University of London 1994
Other: Level 2 Counselling, 2025
Foundation training: NVC (Non Violent Communication) 2023, Further training: 2024
Foundation training in Systemic Constellations, The Whole Partnership, 2023
Overview of a life of work with children, UK and worldwide.
Current: SEN Private Educator, since September 2025
Bespoke creative education and mentoring for children and young people, who may be; out of school, home educated, needing support for a return to school, delivered by a very experienced, kind, super creative, fun educator.
> 2021-2024 Facilitating creative education sessions, locally, interweaving, nature, ceremony, craft with groups of children.
> Holistic Children’s Party’s
established 2023
> Professional teacher since 1994, in schools, teaching; EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, S.E.N; MLD, SLD, SEMH & Private ‘Prep’ schools, and private tuition, London, East Susses, West Sussex, Kent.
> Management Leader for KS2, primary school, London SE1.
> 2023 - summer 2025 teaching in Sussex primary schools, primary, secondary, SEN, SEMH and APC (Alternative Provision Service).
> 2022 School Presentations and workshops for grant funded ecology and environment issues, East Sussex primary schools for FoRM (Friends of the River Medway).
Whilst still teaching, I was also involved in a great array of projects and initiatives with children:
> 2020 Delivered creative education workshops for children 5-9 at Yogi Art School, Arambol, Goa, India.
> 2019 - 2025 Well Being Director for The Academy of Hope (UK based charity), educating and housing impoverished children in India.
> 2017, 1:1 working with a child with SLD to access activities and be supported emotionally, in a play setting.
> 2014-2017 Co founded Peace Button - The Mindful Movement for Children, delivering workshops to thousands of children, teachers & parents in England.
> 2014-2017 Private work in schools in SE England for yoga and creative storytelling.
> 2015 Governess, SW London, supporting a child at home to return to school.
> 2010, 2019 Teaching in NW India. Voluntary.
> 2010-2012 Nutrition and craft skills workshops for children and families.
> 2007 Teaching in primary school, The Gambia, West Africa,Voluntary.
> 2007 Training of teachers from Sierra Leone, in The Gambia, West Africa.
> 1994 - 2025 Professional teaching career (still going!)
> 1990/1 English Language Teacher to adults, London, UK.
> 1988/89 English Language Teacher for children and adults, Japan
> 1988, Nanny, Australia.
> 1983, Children’s support worker, in loco parentis, residential camp, New York, USA.
> 1982 Children’s support worker, in loco parentis, residential setting, Israel.
> 1981 Long term voluntary support for Down’s Syndrome children, for which I won an award from Bucks CC to visit the USSR.
Specialist skills with children:
> Mindfulness Educator,
> Emotional Development Educator, using Circle Time, Art, Role Play,
> Storytelling,
> Yoga, (Trained 2007)
> Sound Healing, utilising percussion instruments to support regulation,
> Music and Movement facilitator, for children age 3 upwards,
> Sewing and craft,
> Creative poetry,
> Creative writing,
> Drama and Role Play,
> Singing,
> Gardening,
> Bringing awareness to being a global citizen,
> Respect for Self, Respect for others, Respect for the World,
> The cultivation of Awe and Wonder.
“My love for children is expressed through kindness, empathy, and creative, playful expression within an educationally focused, softly structured, emotionally safe environment.”
Contact:
hello@rebeccarainbow.com
Rebecca in action over the years :)
Education Outreach for Friends of The River Medway, East Sussex schools,2022
Sharing Peace Button at filming for Uplift Connect, 2015
Community workshops for nutrition and health, South London, 2007
The Dougon, Mali, West Africa, 2007
Exploring Mindfulness and calm breathing, with children from The Academy of Hope, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, NW India, 2019
Front cover of The Teacher magazine, 1995