Meet our team
at Miniland Farm
We love what we do at Miniland Farm
Our team of friendly, caring, supportive specialists pride themselves on building strong, positive relationships with our students so they can reach their full potential and build skills for lifelong success.
Our staff includes experts on animal care, cookery, forest school and many more. We have a range of talented qualified teachers and high-quality support staff who are all committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment and embracing our wonderful Miniland community.
Why not get in touch.
Our friendly, caring, team
Meet Debs: Founder
Miniland Farm grew from a desire to do something more meaningful after years working in HR. What started as a dream soon became a place where passionate, like-minded professionals come together to support children with special needs, disabilities, and young adults — helping them become the very best version of themselves. I am incredibly proud of our team and they inspire me every single day. Creating Miniland Farm has been the most rewarding journey of my life, and seeing even the smallest steps of progress in a child is truly invaluable.
Meet Rebecca: Head of Education and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
I feel privileged to lead and develop such a unique and inclusive setting. At Miniland, I am able to combine my love of the outdoors and animals with a commitment to enhancing children’s opportunities to explore, play and learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences in nature. I am incredibly proud to lead a caring, dedicated and inspiring team who share a clear purpose: to provide a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment for every child. The opening of our SEN primary school alongside the alternative provision has been amazing, and I look forward to seeing how Miniland continues to grow, thrive and adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of our pupils.
Meet Joe: Farm Manager and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
I have been here since the very beginning. I love the fact that no day is the same on the farm and I really enjoy watching the students progress, grow in confidence and learn new skills. It is a pleasure to watch them grow into amazing young people as they move on to further education or the world of work.
Meet Nikki: Office Manager / Financial Controller
I have been part of Miniland since 2021 and love what I do. Every day brings something new — whether it’s supporting our amazing students and staff or spending time with the pigs and alpacas! With over 10 years of experience working with children and another decade in office environments, I couldn’t ask for a better work setting.
Meet Izzy: Teacher
I am a qualified SEND tutor and specialise in supporting students in their successful transition into the wider world of employment and an independent life post education. I am passionate about animal welfare and the benefits of animals in therapeutic work and sparking student engagement. I love working with students at Miniland Farm as it allows me to create meaningful connections between the therapeutic impact of animals and the unique learning opportunities for students, resulting in a sense of achievement and purpose for young people to take on throughout their lives.
Meet Hannah: Teacher
I am a teacher and Forest School Practitioner with over 30 years professional experience in the education sector. I’ve worked all over the world, where my passion has always been to champion a meaningful and inclusive education for ALL children. I love all things nature, animals and children. Being a teacher at Miniland School is super exciting and feels like the perfect place to weave together my academic and creative interests to nurture and inspire as many of the next generation as possible!
Meet Emily: Teacher
I'm new to Miniland Farm and really excited to be here. I've been a teacher for nearly 25 years, and throughout that time, I've always been passionate about exploring creative, meaningful ways to help children learn, especially approaches that go beyond the traditional classroom. Joining Miniland gives me the opportunity to dive into a more hands-on, nature-based approach to learning, something I’ve believed in for a long time. I truly believe that learning can, and should be fun, meaningful, and rooted in real-world experiences. I am delighted to be a part of this amazing community.
Meet Gemma: Learning Support Assistant
Having five children of my own, it is a real pleasure to see the difference Minland makes to our students every day. I feel honoured to have been part of the amazing team for 4 years. Most of my time is spent working with the equines, though every day brings a new adventure. There is always something new, exciting, and rewarding around the corner
Meet Eduardo: Learning Support Assistant
I am loving life on the farm! With a background working in children’s nurseries, I have always loved being outdoors. Originally from Brazil, I am enjoying discovering more about this beautiful country and getting to know all the animals at Miniland. Working with the students is a joy, and my favourite animals are the donkeys, Bruno and Billy.
Meet Bella: Marketing Assistant
My role at Miniland is primarily running the social media and working in the background operations of the business. I have been a part of Miniland since the beginning. I love the atmosphere and the amazing things we do for the children. To see the wonderful things that the students get up to day to day and getting to share what we do with our community is great.
Meet Vicki: Learning Support Assistant
I started working at Miniland nearly 4 years ago. I work part time to fit in with my 3 children who all have autism, 2 of them are in special schools. I have worked for wildlife and countryside charities as well as in SEN provisions. I love working with the students and animals.
Meet Emily: Learning Support Assistant
I have worked as a Learning Support Assistant for many years in both SEN settings and preschool environments, helping children to learn, grow, and thrive. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and spending time with my three dogs. I also teach swimming in my spare time, which I find incredibly rewarding. I love being outdoors and I am really looking forward to contributing to such a wonderful setting, working with the children and animals to make learning fun and engaging.
Meet Naomi: Learning Support Assistant
I am new to the team at Miniland and will be working primarily within the school. I come with a background in Music and Early Years Education and am passionate about creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences, I love all things animal and the outdoors. I very much look forward to sharing these interests with our students. My favourite animals are ducks, cats, and horses!
Meet Abbie: Facilities and Animal Welfare
I have recently taken on the role of facilities and animal welfare at Miniland, bringing with me many years of experience in construction and project management. After a successful career in those fields, I felt the time was right to focus on a new path that allows me to balance work with raising my two young children. Working on the farm gives me the chance to combine my practical skills with my lifelong passion for animals, having owned and fostered many over the years, being able to care for them every day is truly rewarding. I am excited to contribute to the wellbeing of the animals, support the students and ensure the farm is a welcoming environment for all.
Meet Jem: Learning Support Assistant
I am very happy to be part of the team at Miniland. I am a serial hobbyist and enjoy sharing my love of trying new things with my students, by encouraging them to be curious and explore their passions. I love animals of all shapes and sizes and feel very lucky to work in a role with brilliant kids and amazing staff.
Meet Jasmine: Learning Support Assistant
I am absolutely loving my time at Miniland. I have always been horse-mad and have a strong background in the equine industry, having worked as both a groom and a riding instructor. I love caring for all the animals on the farm, and you will often find me covered in mud or hay.
Meet Alan: Learning Support Assistant
I have over 15 years’ experience working with young people as an outdoor instructor and expedition medic, a role that has taken me all around the world. I am a strong believer in the value of outdoor learning, whether that takes place on the farm or in the woods under the trees. I have a deep love and respect for all the animals at Miniland and firmly believe that going home covered in mud is a sure sign of a happy day.
Meet Kirsten: Teacher
I have always loved being outdoors, which led me to complete a degree in Archaeology before moving into SEN education, where I have over 13 years' experience teaching Geography and Countryside Management. I am a Level 3 qualified Forest School Leader and a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Assessor, and I am passionate about using outdoor learning to support engagement, confidence and wellbeing. In my spare time I volunteer for both Girlguiding (over 23 years) and the Scouts. My husband, our two children and I enjoy walking, camping, geocaching and exploring new places together. One of my proudest achievements is summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, and my favourite country I have visited is New Zealand.
Meet Scarlett: Learning Support Assistant
I joined Miniland in 2025 and feel extremely fortunate to work alongside so many wonderful animals, children, and a fantastic team. I have a background in fine art and school-based volunteering, and I grew up surrounded by animals. I’m passionate about teaching in an inclusive, positive environment. A much-loved artist teacher once said, “Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win, no fail, only make,” and this perfectly sums up my ethos, encouraging creativity in a non-judgmental, free thinking space. In my free time, I love to read, run, visit galleries and the theatre, and go on long walks with my dog.