My son was an A* maths student last year. This year his grades slipped a bit as the syllabus got more challenging. He had a term of tuition with Miss Nikki and his grades went right back up again. He enjoyed his weekly sessions and it really helped to develop his knowledge base and his confidence!
Emma Kendall BA (hons), PGCE (primary), NPQH
School Director
Miss Emma founded Footsteps in 2014, along with Miss Bryony. Since then she has built the business from a small, mobile tutoring company into the fully operational school we have today. Emma is passionate about the education and happiness of the children in her care and is determined to build and lead a strong team of committed, happy professionals. Emma is an experienced primary school teacher, originally from Yorkshire, England. As well as her degree in combined studies (Psychology, Education, Music and English) and her teaching qualification, she also holds a level 4 diploma in Child Psychology and a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Before moving to Cayman, Emma worked in a large, inspirational independent school in Leeds and spent her summers volunteering at summer camps and in children’s homes in the UK, Bali and India. Emma is a musician - she plays piano to grade 8 and loves to sing. She hopes that music and drama will be an integral part of school life at Footsteps! Emma has lived in Cayman since 2013 along with her husband and is Mum to three little girls.
Bryony Platt BA (Hons), PGCE (primary), NPQH
School Director
Miss Bryony, alongside Miss Emma, founded Footsteps in 2014, after recognising the need for more student support on island and the need for more options in the primary education sector. Bryony is a qualified Primary and Early Years teacher and has recently achieved her National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). She is also a qualified Beach School Leader (Level 3) and has a passion for supporting children to learn in the natural environment. Having originally trained as an early years Nursery Nurse (NNEB), Bryony continued into teaching and has over 25 years of experience of working with children from a wide range of multi-cultural backgrounds and with children of various ages.
Miss Bryony has lived and worked in Grand Cayman for 15 years. She spent the first
6 years teaching at Cayman Prep, followed by a management role in a Cayman preschool. Miss Bryony also has several years of experience as a private tutor on island. In her spare time, Bryony enjoys playing field hockey and is the vice president of the Cayman Islands Hockey Club.
Benjamin Desrosiers​
Inclusion Specialist, Teacher of RE and 'Healthy Me, Healthy World'
Mr Ben moved to Grand Cayman with his wife and three children in 2020. He has 20 years of experience working with children with Special Educational Needs in primary settings, both in specialist and inclusive mainstream schools. Growing up in Southeast England, Canadian born Ben studied Theology at Oxford Westminster College before moving to London to further train and work in education. He has, over the last 20 years, gained a wide range of experience working with children with additional learning needs both as a teacher and a manager. Mr Ben is committed to ensuring that every child achieves their full potential and is a valued member of the Footsteps community.
Eloise Jones (BSc Hons), PGDE (Primary)
Ripples Classroom Teacher and Early Years Lead
Miss Eloise has a PGDE in Primary Education with a specialism in Early Years Education.
She moved to Grand Cayman in 2021 and has been particularly enjoying exploring all of the marine life. Before becoming a teacher she worked within a Special Needs school in the UK that supported children who require a supportive and nurturing learning environment to reach their potential. Miss Eloise has a BSc from the University of Bristol where she gained a degree in Childhood Studies and she is now working towards her NPQSL. She strives for a classroom where all the children feel equal and you will never go too long without hearing children's laughter. Aside from her love of teaching she loves to keep active and has a passion for healthy cooking and baking!
Catherine Kenny BA (Hons) PGCE
Oceans Teacher and KS1 English Lead
Miss Catherine has been teaching for 12 years, thriving in varying roles and schools. She has held responsibilities such as Head of Primary, Deputy Head and English Leader in England, Cyprus and Grand Cayman. Teaching English is Catherine’s passion, ensuring students master core skills in reading and writing. She has provided systematic school-to-school support for early English skills and is a Specialist Leader of Education. Catherine has completed further training with the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership. She is also trained to deliver outdoor learning programmes with her Forest School Level 3 training and is looking forward to delivering weekly sessions in the great outdoors, inspiring children beyond the classroom environment. Miss Catherine moved to Grand Cayman in 2017, weeks after her wedding. She lives with her husband, two daughters and their rescue dog. Her weekends often include dog walks and trips to the beach for swimming and paddleboarding.
Natalie Scott BA (Hons) PGCE
Surfers (Year 7) Class Teacher and Head of English
Miss Scott moved to Grand Cayman in 2019, after spending her holidays here, finally following her younger sister to this beautiful island. She has been teaching for over 20 years, trained at the University of Cambridge as a Secondary English teacher and since then has worked in a range of settings in the UK, but also in refugee camps in France and private schools abroad. Whilst teaching English is her passion, she has also currently teaches drama and history to Year 7. As a teacher, Natalie has worked hard to stay on top of educational research and changes and helps lead staff training for the teachers at our school. She is a qualified Advanced Skills Teacher, a Specialist Leader of Education and in recent years, was granted a Fellowship from the Chartered College of Teaching. She has contributed to a number of Educational books, spoken publicly about her experiences and passion for teaching and was voted The Times’ Educational Blogger of the Year back in 2016. Whilst she has always been driven by her career- one which has given her a number of wonderful experiences managing and leading schools and national recognition for her skills in school improvement- and still cares deeply about making a difference, she likes to spend time with her family; walk their dog; read good books by the pool; gain a few more laughter lines and to spend time outdoors. She can be found exercising most days (when not injured), in order to work off her love of chicken wings and burgers.
Steven Flight (BExSc, PGDE, MTeach)
Teacher of Physical Education, Science and Outdoor Learning
Mr Steven joined the Footsteps team in 2021. Mr Steven has moved to Grand Cayman from Melbourne, Australia. Combining his love for sport, exercise and the outdoors with his teaching, Mr Steven is excited to be leading our Physical Education, Science and Outdoor Learning programs. After growing up in a small country town in Australia, Mr Steven moved to Melbourne to study a bachelor of Exercise Science at Australian Catholic University. He then completed his Master of Teaching at the University of Melbourne in 2012. Since graduating, he has worked at a number of inner-city schools where he has held many positions of leadership including year level coordinator and curriculum development. Mr Steven values experiential learning and hopes to instill a passion for sport and the outdoor environment in his students.
Charlotte Hubble BA (Hons), PGCE
PE Teacher and Ripples Classroom Teacher
Miss Charlotte moved to Grand Cayman in 2021 and will be continuing to teach both PE and Ripples this academic year. She previously worked for an international private school in the UK where she taught PE from Nursery to Year 13, specializing in Early Years and KS1. During her teaching career she coached and mentored several scholars who have gone on to compete for England. Miss Charlotte has a BA (Hons) PGCE from the University of Chichester where she gained a degree in Physical Education and Sports Coaching. She is a bubbly, highly personable and enthusiastic teacher, who takes pride in her teaching and wants to give every student the best possible chance to succeed in their education. In her spare time, Miss Charlotte loves to play sports, eat at Cassanova and top up her tan on the beach!
Katie Gunn BA (Hons)
Waves Classroom Teacher
Miss Katie (G) has a BA Hons in Primary Education from the University of Brighton and has lived in Cayman for a year after moving from the UK in summer 2022. Miss Katie prides herself on building strong relationships with her pupils, enabling them to flourish and meet their full potential. Originally from West Sussex, England, Miss Katie has worked in KS1, KS2 and EYFS, and has also lead Spanish. Miss Katie has a Level 2 qualification in supporting Forest School and loves inspiring her children whilst out on nature-learning days on the island. Miss Katie is enthusiastic in everything that she does and in her spare time enjoys snorkelling, cooking and travelling.
Becky Turner BEd (Hons)
Breakers Class Teacher and Maths Lead
Miss Becky has a degree in Primary Education from the University of Gloucestershire and has been teaching in the UK for the last 6 years. She aims to create a happy classroom, where children are both supported and challenged to reach the very best of their ability. Miss Becky is looking forward to taking on the role of Maths lead too - it has always been a subject she has enjoyed and she hopes help others to enjoy it too. She previously assisted with the running of a Brownie unit for 3 years and is keen to reprise that role here. In her spare time, she enjoys running, playing netball and reading a good mystery novel - especially now she can do this on the beach!
Danielle DeCecco BEd (Hons)
Splashes Class Teacher
Miss Danielle moved to Grand Cayman in 2022 and has a first-class degree in Primary and Early Years Education from the University of Huddersfield. Prior to her degree she worked in an independent early years setting and as a private child-minder. Miss Danielle is an enthusiastic teacher whose passion for ‘learning through play’, encourages curiosity, creativity and inspires a lifelong love of learning. She hopes to create a happy classroom environment and strong relationships to motivate and challenge children, extending them to achieve their full potential. In her spare time, Miss Danielle enjoys snorkeling, cooking, yoga and long walks on the beach. She also enjoys doing mechanical work on her 1974 VW Campervan, wild-camping and attending festivals.
Kate Barden BA (Hons) PGCE
Tides Class Teacher
Miss Kate has returned to Grand Cayman after completing her PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Manchester. Prior to her role at Footsteps, Miss Kate has worked in primary schools in both the United Kingdom and the Cayman Islands. She enjoys going to the beach and spending time with family who live here on island.
Sarah Knowles BSc (Hons), PGCE, NPQML
Whirlpools Class Teacher
Miss Sarah has recently moved to Grand Cayman from the UK. She has 9 years’ experience of being a class teacher and Science lead and completed her NPQML focusing on improving pupils’ understanding of working scientifically. Miss Sarah has a BSc in Ecological Science from the University of Edinburgh and is particularly interested in exploring more of the island's fauna and flora, imparting her love of nature to the children through outdoor learning and beach days. She aims to ensure that children in her care experience a stimulating, inspiring education which extends beyond the classroom, developing the whole child whilst encouraging them to be inquisitive and active in their own learning experience. In her spare time, Miss Sarah is looking forward to making the most of the outdoor lifestyle, spending her time in the sea, running and playing sport.
Bruce Jones BA (hons) PGCE
Languages Teacher
Mr Bruce is a fully qualified teacher of French, Spanish and English with great depth of experience in delivering lessons to learners of all ages. Having first taught abroad, he returned to his hometown to complete his teacher training at King’s College London. Once completed, he worked for three years Forest Hill Secondary School as a teacher of languages and assistant Head of House.. He has since taught in Ivory Coast in an international school as well as a huge variety of both primary and secondary schools in the UK as a supply teacher, familiarising himself with teaching many different subjects. His love of languages is largely thanks to his home life, where every member of his family speaks at least one foreign language. This love for languages grew substantially throughout his school life and then at university. Mr Bruce enjoys teaching immensely. His enthusiasm is infectious! He is passionate about spreading his love of language to every student he finds before him!
Taryn Thompson
Splashes Class Teaching Assistant
Miss Taryn grew up in Toronto, Canada and started her profession in Early Childhood in 1998, where she was introduced to the "Playing to Learn" curriculum. With a passion for learning new ways to nurture and stimulate the minds of young children, Taryn moved to the Cayman Islands in 2006 where she was a beloved early years teacher. Taryn returned to Canada to complete her studies and graduated with honors in June 2015 from the Early Childhood Education and Child Development Program to become a certified member of the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators.
With her love for the Cayman Islands, she returned in 2016 with her two daughters to continue her teaching career. Taryn is very happy to join the Footsteps family as their curriculum ties into her educational training and love for learning through nature and play!
Beverly Samuels
Teaching Assistant
Miss Bev has many years of educational experience, holds a foundation teaching qualification and is Cache qualified. She started her career as a nurse, specialising in paediatrics in the UK in private and public hospitals. Bev moved on to work in a residential school working with young people who were facing many challenges. She also manage a children’s home, where she gained experience and counselling skills, supporting children who had faced obstacles and trauma in their early years of life. Bev has spent ten years living and working in Dubai, where she ran her own workshops and enrichment classes for children, designing the lessons to be fun and educational; she passionately believes in learning through play. Miss Bev has also lived and worked in Spain for 5 years, working as an SEN teacher at an international school. Here, she provided educational support to pupils, whilst also providing extracurricular activities over all year groups. Bev loves being a member of the team at Footsteps and uses her wealth of experience to support the children. She believes that her caring nature and positive outlook has always helped the children in her care.
Sarah Hanley B(Ed)
High Level Teaching Assistant
Miss Sarah has a bachelor degree in Primary Education from the University of South Africa with over 8 years experience working in schools in Cape Town,South Africa. She moved to Cayman early this year and has recently joined the Footsteps team. She previously was the head of sport at an all girls school in Cape Town, sharing her love of sport with the children. Miss Sarah has many years of experience and training with SEND children and is passionate about helping each child reach their full potential in the classroom and loves using the outdoors for learning. She puts 100% effort into every thing she does and thrives off being organised.In her free time you’ll find her playing various sports, at the beach or walking the dogs from CHS. She is looking forward to diving into island life and meeting new people along the way.
Chelsea Phillips B(Ed)
High Level Teaching Assistant
Miss Chelsea joins us from Cape Town, South Africa and has a Bachelors Degree in Education (Foundation Phase). She has worked previously at a small school structured towards outside learning, holistic development and working with each child as an individual. This experience has given her invaluable insight into the skills needed in order for these young children to succeed in education and will allow her to guide our children here at Footsteps to be the best learners that they can be. Miss Chelsea is driven by the understanding that strong, positive relationships with the children are the key to their future development and is able to connect with all learners in their individual way. Miss Chelsea enjoys snorkeling, going for drives to discover new places and baking!
Katie Bloomfield BA (Hons) PGCE
Learning Support Assistant and Teacher of Art
Miss Katie (B) is our specialist art and design technology teacher and coordinator at Footsteps. She is here to ensure an inclusive, safe and fun environment where creativity and curiosity take centre stage, igniting a lifelong love for art and learning. In addition to her degree in textile design, Miss Katie has over ten years’ experience teaching in a variety of schools for all years and key stages, from reception to A-Level, including inner city academies, independent, private and secondary schools, as well as coordinating and delivering art foundation courses to post A-Level students. Before arriving at Footsteps, Miss Katie supported students with a diverse range of additional learning needs in a busy SEN department on island. She has now become a one to one learning support mentor in addition to her art teaching role. Miss Katie also runs a very popular after school art and craft club twice a week during term time. As a mental health advocate, Miss Katie has a passion for good mental health and wellness in schools, and has been involved in the Alex Panton Foundation’s Youth Ambassador Program, attending symposiums and running wellness clubs. Miss Katie’s other passions are painting (especially animals), music, spinning (the cycling classes!) and travelling. You will often catch her in her happy place, Seven Mile Beach, or diving with turtles!
Chantel Simm, school counsellor and therapist
Miss Chantel is our inclusion therapist, who has over 10 years of experience working with neurodiverse children of all ages in home and school settings, in both Canada and Cayman. She attended York University in Toronto where she studied Psychology, went on to complete a postgrad in Behaviour therapy and has recently completed her Masters in Counselling Psychology. She is committed to creating healthy emotional and social development while supporting a child’s unique educational journey through the creation of specialized curriculums. Outside of work, Miss Chantel enjoys yoga and playing flag football for the Cayman National team.
Charlotte Lewis - Administration and Admissions
You will find Miss Charlie mostly in the office where she supports the school in a variety of administration processes, including admissions. She is qualified in Business Administration (NVQ 2 and 3) and has over 15 years experience working in marketing positions for large retailers in the UK. Miss Charlie loves working with children and dedicates much of her spare time volunteering as Commissioner of Girlguiding Cayman Islands, where she thrives on seeing the girls grow and develop new skills. Charlie moved to the Cayman Islands in 2013 with her husband and they now have 2 daughters.
Payal Paliwal - Private Tutor (Maths specialist)
Payal originates from India and has been living in Grand Cayman for almost 3 years. She holds a Bachelors in Engineering, a Post Graduate Diploma in Math Education and she is currently pursuing a Masters in Education. Payal has been teaching mathematics to children of all ages since 2014 with experience teaching in India, Thailand , Ecuador and the Cayman Islands. In her diverse teaching experience, she has worked with students with many different backgrounds, cultures, languages and abilities. Payal aims to move her students from procedural understanding to conceptual understanding. she is passionate about maths and hopes to inspire her students to share this passion.
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