Gillian is a strong advocate for Democratic Education, particularly the Sudbury model, which empowers students to take charge of their learning. A qualified Social Care Worker with a BA, she has 20 years experience supporting individuals to achieve their goals.

In 2021, Gillian completed her QQI qualification, allowing her to assist others in their educational journeys. Her skills also extend to administration, mentoring, conflict resolution through the JC and horticulture where she enjoys nurturing both plants and young minds.

Inspired by her experience as a mother and home-schooling her son, Gillian embraced child-led learning and joined True Nature when it opened, aligning with her values.

As a firm believer in the Sudbury model, Kevin worked a volunteer in TNSS before joining the staff team. He sees the educational model of TNSS as something that would have been hugely beneficial to himself as he was going through school.

Kevin studied English, Media and Cultural Studies at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology and has since maintained a love of literature. He also previously studied Journalism and Multimedia in Stillorgan College.

Kevin’s other interests range from hiking to sport, film and music. He enjoys playing chess, card games, football and making films amongst many other things with the students. Kevin brings humour and enthusiasm into his work at TNSS in creating a friendly environment where students feel supported and encouraged to play and connect.

Natasha hails from Australia and followed a calling to Ireland in 1997. Trained as a registered nurse but also drawn to nature, particularly the Irish landscape and flora, Natasha is a trained Forest school leader with experience in offering sustainability and nature connection workshops to schools and running her own Forest School with after-school sessions and mid-term camps. Child led education forms a core part of Forest School so, inspired by this philosophy, she was drawn to the Sudbury model of education as it felt intuitively an amazing place for a child to learn at their own pace and prosper.

Natasha volunteered at TNSS before joining the staff team, offering Forest School sessions and general help including supporting students participating in the Peace Proms. Currently working part time in a nursing home, she also loves connecting with nature, growing herbs, produce and foraging. Other interests are food as medicine, holistic health, music, dancing, cooking and getting outdoors

Ellen is passionate about child-led learning, a philosophy she’s lived and breathed for the past eight years while homeschooling and unschooling her own children. Those years shaped her deep belief that children learn best when they're trusted to follow their own interests and curiosity.

Ellen holds a Level 6 qualification in Child Psychology and has completed numerous courses in child development. Her approach centers on creating environments where learning feels engaging and enjoyable—something she prioritized throughout her homeschooling journey. She values open-mindedness and creative problem-solving.

Ellen has a wide range of interests. She’s deeply curious about psychology, history, and the many forms art can take. Nutrition and holistic well-being are important for her, as is staying physically active—She’s an avid runner and regularly participate in races. Ellen’s also drawn to spirituality, animals, and exploring new places. Connecting with others and learning from different perspectives is something she genuinely enjoy.

Kate has had a diverse range of experience throughout her career, from fashion to production, with the constant thread of Drama (both acting and facilitating) running through in the background. Having earned a degree in Drama Performance and an Honours Diploma in Arts in Education, Kate has worked as a Speech and Drama teacher for many years and seen the power that Drama has in facilitating children’s freedom of expression, their opportunity to build on natural curiosities and facilitate their own learning. 

Providing a space for children to explore and learn about endless themes through the vehicle of play is something Kate feels very passionately about. She is presently undertaking a Therapeutic Play skills certificate to expand on the use of play in her work and provide a space for children to process their feelings through therapeutic play in individual and group settings. 

Sarah-Jane is a volunteer at TNSS and predominantly supports the administrative and operational running of the school. Having seen the positive impact of the Sudbury model on her own daughter, she began her own journey of unschooling and immersed herself in the world of democratic education and restorative practice.

Alongside her work at TNSS, she works as a group facilitator, mindfulness teacher, and sustainability educator leading programmes, retreats and workshops. Sarah-Jane holds a PhD in Organisational Behaviour and a Professional Diploma for teaching Mindfulness. Before joining TNSS Sarah-Jane worked in academia for over 10 years with a particular focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). With a deep interest in the power of collective action, she also brings years of experience in chairing boards and committees of non-profit organisations and community groups she's been working with in advocating for social change.