Director

Andrea Turner

Andrea ran her own business for 30 years and is now a key member of the Treehouse team as School Director She is responsible for fundraising for the Trust as well as other areas of management and administration, including a key role in the new Eco Build. She also teaches PE and Dance.

Director of Teaching and Learning

Lee Ryman

Lee Ryman, Director of Learning and Teaching and a co-founder of The Treehouse, spent many years in the education system, with roles including headship of a State junior school and a literary consultant to a Local Authority. These experiences, along with working with children in the classroom and visits to a wide range of schools in the UK and abroad, helped Lee to shape and develop an educational philosophy that influences practice at The Treehouse.

Deputy Director and DSL

Laura Lee

Laura trained in musical theatre and has been teaching performing arts in schools for 12+ years. As well as organising and directing The Treehouse School productions she works in an administration based role finding ways to publicise the school's ethos and ways to generate an income for the school. 

Patron

Joy Whitby

Author and pioneer of children’s television, Joy Whitby has agreed to be Patron of the Treehouse Trust.

Joy said: “I am delighted to be Patron of the Treehouse Trust having admired the dedication and the imaginative way Lee and Sharon run their “gang”.   The children are learning to think for themselves as well as understand the importance of teamwork.  They are living proof of the success of the founders’ teaching methods and are well equipped at the end of their time at the Treehouse to move on to the next stage of their education”.

About Joy Whitby:
Joy is a pioneer of Children’s Television.  As Head of Children’s programmes at Yorkshire Television, she produced many innovative programmes including The Book Tower and Under the Same Sky, an international drama exchange sponsored by the European Broadcasting Union.  At London Weekend Television she master-minded the iconic series Catweazle, but she is chiefly remembered as the creator of Play School and Jackanory for the BBC.

Joy was a founder member of the Board of Channel 4 and now works as an independent producer through her own company, Grasshopper Productions.  Her DVDs are sold through Amazon on her website www.grasshopper.co.uk.  Earlier this year she re-published Grasshopper Island, based on her live action film series.  She is currently writing and illustrating a box set of Emma and Grandpa, another of her early film series for ITV.

Chair of Trust

Charlie Clare

Charlie taught in a middle school for sixteen years, was a headteacher of a junior school for twenty-eight years, the chairman of a group of twelve collaborating schools and the leader of a Schools Direct training group. He retired in 2017 and now chairs a local charity and is a school governor. He strongly believes in the power of presenting children with choice, opportunity and challenge.

Trustee - Leadership and Management

Tim Hirst

Tim’s early career was spent in establishing, developing and leading early stage companies in medical technologies. In 2018, he embarked on a career change and is currently undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with a view to teaching secondary geography. For many years, he has also been involved in the charity sector, most recently as a trustee of a charity focusing on developing arts education. Following several years as a Consultant, Tim became a Trustee in 2018, with particular responsibility for IT and data management.

Trustee - Safeguarding, Behaviour, Attitudes and Personal Development

Jane Clare

 Jane Clare has been Deputy Head in a junior school in Reading for many years and previously ran a nursery for children with communication difficulties. Recently retired, she is now interested in how schools can be built around what children really need. Her expertise lies in all aspects of school evaluation and improvement and she has had many years’ experience as designated safeguarding lead.

Trustee - Behaviour, Attitudes and Personal Development

Jane Randle

Jane was a senior manager in local government for most of her career, managing a team of planning professionals. Recently, as a professional planner, she ran her own consultancy business and is also responsible for the day-to-day operations at a family law firm. Jane is also a key member of the Wallingford Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. For the Treehouse, Jane has responsibility for the Personal Development, Behaviour and Attitudes team. With her planning experience, she also has a key role in the new Eco School project.

Trustee - Quality of Education

Ellie Maygate

I recently became a parent trustee
after my son started at the Treehouse
School in September. After spending a
lot of time in my children’s early years
looking into educational options and
feeling disappointed about the lack of
options that fit what I was hoping for, I
was encouraged and excited to find
The Treehouse School.
After taking 4 years off work to spend
time with my children to ensure that I was truly present in those all important early years, I returned to work as a children’s social worker part time in September 2023.
As a new trustee and parent to the school, I look forward to supporting the school over the coming years.

Trustee - Quality of Education

Sheri Abel

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Volunteer

Debbie Goodman

Since graduating as a mature student in 2002 from Oxford University, Debbie has worked as a primary school teacher at Fir Tree Junior School, St Nicholas Infant’s School, Zurich International School, Zurich, the British Council, Hong Kong and most recently as a volunteer at The Treehouse School.

Volunteer - Cook

Sue Tavinor

I started cooking at the Treehouse
School back in 2012 when the
the establishment first opened. My two
grandchildren grew up at the
Treehouse and are now 21 and 16
years old.
I have certainly been challenged
throughout the years! Whether that
was from cooking on campfires,
making hundreds of pancakes or cooking for over 40 people! They definitely keep me on my toes! 

Volunteer - Cook

Jo Ryman

...

Volunteer - Forest School

John Weinstock

At The Treehouse School, I join in with the activities on Forest Friday. Spending time outdoors —playing and learning—is something I have been doing all my life. I am convinced that spending time in the outdoors is highly beneficial to all aspects of our health and happiness. I was lucky to be brought up in a family that spent a lot of time outdoors: camping, boating, playing in the woods and having fires!
I then had a career as a youth worker where I got to introduce young people to the outdoors - and, hopefully, pass on a passion for the environment and being outside.