We Are Better EdSpace
We make learning flexible and fun
Welcome to Better EdSpace, a new learning centre for teens. We promote diversity and flexibility in learning which supports resilient growth through education, teamwork and critical thinking. As the Head of Better EdSpace Ltd., it is my pleasure to introduce you to the exceptional opportunities available at our Learning Centre for the critical development years, providing a safe and supportive journey.
Heather Philp PhD
I am a creative and passionate educator with a long timeline of helping students gain not only top results but confidence and a love of learning. I have been facilitating learning in young people for more than 15 years. Over this time, I have been fortunate to work with huge range of ages (from 6 to 19 years old), abilities and challenges. I treat each student as an individual and focus on building the self-assurance that comes from positive experience.
One of the keys for success has always been to work with students’ interests as this helps to make even the most challenging concepts more accessible. I have broad-ranging interests myself and have found that this has been an asset in finding innovative ways to approach learning. It certainly helps to make some of the drier topics seem a little more relatable and relevant!
Nikki Purén
My passion is for individual education that enables each child the ability to love learning. If we as the facilitator and environment provider can ignite this passion in each child then school as we know it will be turned on its head and the world will be full of excited, motivated and happy children.
Julia Sands
I am an innovative and creative English teacher, with a passion for unlocking poetry both on paper, and in the souls of my students. I have always found the teaching of English to be a real privilege; exploring subtle themes, discussing real-world issues and discovering new imaginative worlds with young people has been my joy and pleasure for 25 years. I welcome those who already love English, those who need a bit of encouragement, and those who don't 'get' it at all. There's so much to discover together.
I am also passionate about nature and the outdoors. As an adventure therapy facilitator, I lead expeditions, rites of passage programmes and survival workshops for young people. On the weekends, you'll find me on the South Downs, with my dog, a coffee, and a good book, of course.
Jez
We’re lucky to have Jez (aka Gerald Williams) on the Better Ed Space team. With a wide range of skills and a genuine love of learning, Jez brings incredible energy and inspiration to everything he does. He’s one of our Teen Setting facilitators, leading the Wednesday Filmmaking classes and teaching both History and Communication sessions. On Fridays, he also runs our Fine Art programme—sharing his creativity and insight with students across disciplines.
We love his simple yet effective CV and experience explainer.
Sheila Rose
I have been passionate about the arts all my life and launched my career as an artist in 2009. In 2015 I studied "Therapeutic Arts" at Tobias School of Art and Therapy, where I was introduced to the Steiner way of life.
The transpersonal arts course was life changing in becoming a more integrated and creative individual. At the time I was also working in a special education school called "St Joseph's" as a Teaching Assistant. I learned about complex special needs and how to communicate with people whose brains have a wide variety of differences to the average person.
Finding that I enjoyed working with children, I then moved onto mainstream schools where I worked until February 2025. My aim is to make lessons fun and engaging for children, whether that's using sensory crafts or learning how to draw. I look forward to learning and growing with the Peredur community.
Tamara Cater Barker
I’m delighted to be joining the nourishing and creative environment of Better EdSpace to deliver GCSE Dance, a syllabus which I greatly enjoy for its triple-pronged focus on dance technique, choreography and appreciation of professional dance works.
I am grateful for the rich dance education I received, sparked by Rosemary Woodd at Roshe, igniting a passion for both performance and choreography, further fuelled by my training at Bush Davies and post graduate studies at The Laban Centre.
My fascination with Dance has provided a rich and varied career, including work as a Specialist Dance Teacher in Primary, Secondary and Further Education settings, as Choreographer in Residence at a Performing Arts Academy, and as Director of a small-scale Dance Education company promoting cross-curricular learning. I launched the Wye Valley Dance School eighteen years ago, which later became Epic Dance and through which I continue to offer creative dance classes and summer schools at Peredur Centre.
Whether you are drawn to Dance GCSE as an aspiring dancer, as a creator of dance, or to build an appreciation of this imaginative and invigorating art form, I welcome you to this well-balanced and inspiring course.
BA Hons (1st class), PGCE
Jonathan Brown
Jonathan has been a qualified teacher since 1988. He was Head of Physics at a large West Sussex school and VI form, and has taught in many settings, including in schools, in PRUs, as a tutor with excluded children, for children in care, or out of school due to illness. Also with the WEA, within a further education college, in an Australian school, a Montessori school, and a wide variety of home education groups that he has run. He has taught in secondary, tertiary and primary settings both as a permanent teacher, head of department, supply teacher, and a private tutor.
He has taught a wide variety of subjects, including Physics, maths, chemistry, biology, geography, English Literature, English language, and drama, as well as a number of creative home ed groups.
He is also artistic director of award-winning Something Underground theatre, and teaches theatre skills.
Sarah Neal
I have always been passionate about history (in particular Roman history, civilisation and Latin) and politics. As an avid reader I spent my time reading widely and deeply about these topics and made this my profession too: I proofread and edited academic books and articles on history and politics for a big part of my professional life and hold a BA in International Relations & Peace and Conflict Studies as well as masters-level qualifications in comparative politics from LSE.
As much as I love the written word and books, I knew that I eventually wanted to bring my passions to life and work with children and young people. I qualified as a Steiner teacher in 2024 and have since worked with middle school and secondary aged children. I love the fresh thinking children and young people bring to topics of old and enjoy building bridges of relevance from the past to the present. Knowing and understanding history puts everyday life issues into perspective and provides a deeper level of understanding and connection to the world around us. In my spare time you will either find me reading in a corner, enjoying the arts and culture of London or exploring Sussex with my Standard Poodle Sherlock.
This could be you!
...just holding space
Join our team!
Join us and turn your passion into purpose.
Jen Hedley
As a mother of two teenagers, I'm constantly navigating the ever-evolving journey of parenting. They're always finding new ways to challenge me—and in turn, we're growing together. We've explored it all: Montessori, State school, home education... each step shaped by their changing needs. That’s why I’m so passionate about what we do here at Better EdSpace. It's more than just an education hub—it’s a place for families who are searching for the right fit for their children, whatever that may look like.
This could be you!
...just holding space
Join us and turn your passion into purpose.
Are you someone who thrives on helping others reach their full potential? Do you value meaningful work, personal growth, and a healthy work-life balance?
We’re always looking for passionate, driven individuals who want more than just a job—they want to make a difference. If you have a talent for inspiring others and a desire to grow in a supportive, balanced environment, we’d love to hear from you.