headshot of educator Kimberley Cooper

We are all natural born learners!

A warm welcome from me, Kimberley Cooper; a mum, a teacher, an education researcher and learning-through-making enthusiast.

I believe learning should be playful, fun and bring about feelings of creativity, confidence, calm and fulfilment, regardless of your age!

Starting with a Masters in Education and supported by the educational settings I work with, I have spent over 18 years teaching, researching and contributing to the educational dialogue focusing on ‘active’ student-centred learning.

 

We are all natural born learners!

A warm welcome from me, Kimberley Cooper; a mum, a teacher, an education researcher and learning-through-making enthusiast.

I believe learning should be playful, fun and bring about feelings of creativity, confidence, calm and fulfilment, regardless of your age!

Starting with a Masters in Education and supported by the educational settings I work with, I have spent over 18 years teaching, researching and contributing to the educational dialogue focusing on ‘active’ student-centred learning.

 

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Excited about learning
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Education Consultant

Whether you are a school, teacher, parent or ed-tech company looking to develop your curriculum or innovative pedagogy, Holistic Learning offers consultancy on how to reach your goals.

Tutoring

Holistic Learning offers one-to-one and small-group sessions designed to help your child realise their learning potential in all curriculum areas. This is offered both remotely and in person.

Workshops

At Holistic Learning we work with you and your team to put together one-off workshops and short courses exploring creative pedagogy, inquiry-based and outdoor learning opportunities.

Experience

September 2020-Present

Teacher/Learning Facilitator: KS1-KS3

King Alfred School (KAS), Golders Green.

July 2018 - September 2020

P/T Head of School Forest School

King Alfred School (KAS), Golders Green.

June 2019 - June 2020

Freelance Consultant as 'Head of Pedagogy'

Mayku | Mayku.me

September 2019 - December 2019

P/T Head of KS2 D&T and Science

Educare Small School, Kingston

July 2013 - July 2018

Head of Lower School Design & Technology Department

King Alfred School (KAS), Golders Green. Teaching children aged 4-11 D&T

January 2008 - June 2013

Classroom Teacher

From Reception to Year 3 for various year groups, I transformed the EYFS programme (2008) followed by a role as Lower School Humanities/Topic Learning Coordinator (2010)

King Alfred School, Golders Green

Education

1999 - 2002

BA in Sport and Leisure

Brighton University​

2005 - 2006

PGCE Primary specialising in French

Kingston University, London.
DfES reference number: 06/42027

2010 - 2013

MA in Advanced Professional Practice

UCL Institute of Education, London (completed while working at KAS) Graduated with a Distinction.

2018

Level 3 Forest Schools Leader

Forest Schools Education (FSE).

Passions

Learning 100%
Sports 75%
D.I.Y. Crafts 90%
Travelling 85%
Family and friends 100%

Praise

headshot of Tony Lawler

Tony Lawler - Former D&T Course Leader at University of London.

“Over the last 7 years that I have researched with Kim and observed her teaching, she has effectively placed King Alfred School as one of eminent deliverers of Lower School Design and Technology in England. She provided opportunities for all students to experience ‘specialist’ Design and Technology teaching as part of their holistic development. She used her exceptional understanding of metacognition and process-led learning to develop the children’s educational provision so that it was underpinned with explorative, child-centered experiences. In my opinion, as a teacher and educational practitioner she is spectacularly good. Her approach demonstrates a high level of organization and she is constantly working towards students being in control of their own learning. From the view of her colleagues and those she consults for, she is now a fundamental, trusted, inspiring and valued contributor to the wider educational dialogue on how children can be inspired and engaged in their learning. On a personal level she provides wit, charm and a constant reminder of what ‘real’ teaching and learning is about at all levels”.

Alix McTaminey - Parent and Teacher

“Kim has in-depth knowledge and understanding of Primary aged teaching and learning across project-based learning and within subject specialist areas. She has worked with a wide range of pupils who have had their unique and individual needs and has responded to them sensitively and professionally enabling them all to access a curriculum that is suitable for their developmental stage. She has an extraordinary capacity for learning, creating and pedagogy. She is an exceptional teacher and colleague, who can manage many diverse projects beyond the classroom. For instance, she completed an MA while preparing a new curriculum for key stage one and two; prepared and delivered an inspirational presentation at the school’s AGM; visited a school in Denmark, which was a part of a wider piece of research the school was undertaking and presented her findings to parents. Kim is the epitome of reliability. She meets deadlines, is honest and trustworthy, professional, exudes warmth and is approachable. She is empathetic, reading people and emotions well and she is sensitive to students and colleagues alike. She is focused and self-directed but also able to ask for advice when working on new ideas, showing brilliant team work and collaboration. Kim is an asset and those working with her will benefit from her wide range of knowledge, humility and great sense of fun when learning“

Stephen DeBrett - Education philosopher & former Head of Design and Technology and PSHE at King Alfred School

“Kim Cooper is an outstanding teacher. She is creative, thoughtful and passionate and she is fascinated by the ways in which children learn. She has been involved in some very interesting research based on her practice and presented at international conferences. She has also taken a leading role in curriculum development and has displayed a real talent for management at this level. She was Head of Lower School D&T so she has a highly developed understanding of the context of EYFS, KS1 and KS2. It was as part of this team that she revealed her leadership skills and also her excellent team working skills. Kim has no safeguarding issues and there are no reasons why you should not employ her. She is a highly professional, extremely hard working, highly organised, reliable and conscientious teacher. I would like to end by saying that Kim is a delightful person with a great sense of humour and most importantly she is loved by all. I highly recommend her for any post”.

Now that you know all about me, I’d love to learn about you! Send me an email and tell me who you are and what you love most about teaching/learning.