Meet the team

Becky Newman-Smith – Founder

Schools –  St Albans Home Education Group (Tuesdays); Giles Nursey and Infant School, Stevenage (Tuesdays); Millmead Primary (KS2), Hertford  (Wednesdays)

Becky studied Textile Design at university and worked as a freelance designer before running a bespoke trimmings business based in London.  She then trained as a primary teacher and worked in schools for a number of years.  It was always a dream to run a business which focused on providing specialist art teaching, allowing children to tap into their creativity outside of the restraints of the school curriculum. In 2015 she took the plunge and Art Explorers was born.

Kate Nicholson – Club Leader

Schools – Bengeo Primary, Hertford (Thursdays); Abel Smith Primary, Hertford (Fridays)

Kate joined the team in 2017 and currently runs two of our after school clubs.  She is a talented artist and jewellery maker with lots of experience working with primary aged children.  Kate is caring and fun, always working hard to make sure that the children in her clubs achieve their potential and are super proud of their work.

Joanne Higgs – Club Leader

Schools – All Saints Primary, Bishops Stortford (Mondays); Summercroft Primary, Bishops Stortford (Tuesdays)

We are thrilled that Joanne is taking over our Bishops Stortford classes in the Autumn Term 2019.  She is a freelance graphic designer with lots of experience and has a passion for all things arty.  We are really excited to have her share her expertise with the children in our classes.

Yolanda Addy – Club Leader

Schools – Mill Mead Primary (KS1), Hertford (Mondays); Bengeo Primary, Hertford (Tuesdays); Morgans Primary, Hertford (Thursdays)

Yolanda has a degree in Art and Design and has worked for a number of years as a freelance artist and designer.  She also has lots of experience working with children, having managed an after school club in a primary school.  She is very keen to get creative and share her love of art with the children in art club.

Marina Charalambous – Club Leader

School – Abel Smith Primary, Hertford (Wednesdays)

Marina is a primary teacher with over 18 years experience in schools.  She has worked in lots of different settings with a wide range of ages.  Marina is skilled at identifying children’s strengths and encouraging them to aim high and take real pride in their work.  She is looking forward to working with small groups and giving one to one support.

Claudia Sawyer- Club Leader

School -Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, Bushey (Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Claudia is both an actor and talented painter.  She has experience of working with children in theatre workshops before jetting off to L.A to complete her degree.  Now back at home she is balancing her acting work with building up her art portfolio and is keen to share her love of art with children in our after school clubs.

Megan Roberts – Club Leader

School – Hartsfield Primary, Baldock (Thursdays)

Megan is entering her final year at Chelsea College of Arts where she is studying for a degree in Fine Art.  When she’s not at university she works with children in holiday clubs, facilitating a range of activities.  She has a great rapport with the children and is sure to be a real inspiration to our budding artists.

Kate MacWhannell

School – Sacred Heart Primary, Ware (Mondays)

Kate has a keen interest in art and worked as a magazine editor.  She also has taught children English as a foreign language.  Kate’s daughter has come along to our holiday clubs for some time so it is lovely to welcome her to the team!

NB – All of our club leaders have enhanced DBS certificates and are fully insured.