Charlotte Lucas

Founder of Free Rangers Nursery & the Universal Farm
Team teacher and Strategic Lead

For the last twenty years I have been driven by the belief that education can and needs to change. I believe that the education system has forgotten the need to see children holistically and that learning and education need to link with people, place and nature. I come with a trauma informed lens and see education as a route to healing and self-actualization for all individual children. I want every child and adult to feel connected with our learning community and therefore feel that they truly belong here on the farm.

I have three boys and feel that through my experience as a mother and teacher, that childhood and nature are in many ways one and the same thing and I will always strive to ensure play and creative learning in nature are protected and valued at all times.

BSC Management Sciences and Spanish
PGCE Bath Spa, Primary Education
Forest School Leader
Certificate in Therapeutic Mentoring

Jessica Kendrick

Co-ordinating educational Lead and Head Senco

Overseeing both the early years and infant teaching and learning on site, I strive to ensure individual experience and inclusion are front and centre of our whole educational offering.

I have 20 years experience in SEND practice and inclusion, 13 of these have been during my time at Free Rangers, the nursery onsite here. My passion for inclusion is unwavering and my drive to provide a provision that has the flexibility to meet children’s needs has spanned several years.

I am a mother of two teenage children, one of whom has learning needs. My experience of mainstream education with my own children has highlighted the flaws and desperate need to provide a choice for families, a choice to enter a provision that is sympathetic, tailored and in line with recent research and knowledge. I will forever do my upmost to meet the needs of the children who engage with our services and ensure they have the very best outcomes.

BSC Hons Early Childhood Studies
PGCE Advanced Primary, Bath Spa University
Early Years Professional Status
Thrive Practitioner
Autism Champion

Lucy Knight

Lead teacher and learning facilitator

I have always felt there is more to education than the narrow emphasis put on tests, handwriting and attainment levels.

I have experience teaching in large, multicultural, fast paced. ‘Outstanding’ government schools but I came to Free Rangers and The Universal Farm, to be part of a much slower paced learning environment that focuses on the process of learning and the people involved.

I have been inspired by alternative international educational settings, such as Montessori, Reggio and Steiner educational environments across South East Asia.

I want to bring my experience and love of outdoors to my class of children and look forward to working and learning with the children here and by extension their families too.

As a design graduate I value the Arts greatly and weave creativity into all teaching. I am bursting with ideas, eager to share my experiences and excited to embark on this journey with you all.

I have a young daughter and want to create change in an outdated system so that she can see me advocate for children and their futures.

Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
Forest School Leader

Jo Casserley

I basically grew up outside and so gaining the Forest School Qualification enabled me to feed my passion of sharing the wonders of nature with children of all ages.

I enjoy facilitating a deep connection with children and their surroundings and like to see the joy and positive impact on self-esteem that being outside can bring to individuals.

Level 3 EY Practitioner
Group Chief Outdoor Education
BA Outdoor Education – University of Cumbria
Forest School Leader

“Children who grow up sharing resources and knowledge, collaborating to realize common goals, helping and being helped, serving a community that gives them access to everything it has, and identifying across social boundaries will become empathic, compassionate adults. Also growing up empowered with choice and self-direction, convinced by this of their innate worth and capacity, they will feel their inner divinity, the highest form of self-esteem.” 

James Moffet
The Universal Schoolhouse