LEARNING DIFFERENCE ADVISOR (LDA)

Liz Ascroft is an award-winning theatre designer with over 40 years’ experience working across the UK and internationally, including the West End, Sydney Opera House, and La Fenice in Venice. Her creative practice spans set and costume design, modelmaking, sewing, upcycling, and visual storytelling.

As an autistic and dyslexic artist, Liz also works as a Learning Difference Adviser, supporting neurodivergent students through mentoring and creative engagement. She brings a deeply personal understanding of learning outside the mainstream, using lived experience, empathy, and practical strategies to help students build confidence and self-awareness.

Alongside her design work, Liz lectures, mentors, and collaborates on inclusive educational projects. She values imagination, difference and finding your own path – offering students the support to do just that.

See Liz Ascroft’s work at lizascroft.com

LEARNING ADVISOR / DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD (DSL)

Jessie studied for a degree in Media Arts and Journalism before realising that all she wanted to do was travel. She has had a really varied career, including time in Australia doing everything from recruitment to pumpkin packing. After returning to the UK in 2019, she spent four years working in a primary school. For the past two years, Jessie has worked in a self-managed learning setting as Learning Support and as a Safeguarding Lead.

LEARNING ADVISOR

Helen has been teaching for the last 25 years, starting in TEFL and working both internationally and in the UK across a variety of settings—from huts to universities. She completed her PGCE in English at Sussex University and has since taught in mainstream schools around Brighton. In addition to teaching English, Helen is an examiner for Media Studies and Film Studies, but she is always drawn to a more fluid, pupil-centred, holistic approach to education. 

Outside the classroom, Helen is a passionate gardener with a keen interest in biodiversity and permaculture and can often be found in her garden or on her allotment. Helen practices yoga and is a sea dipper/swimmer; she also loves to get out on her mountain bike to explore the countryside. 

ADMINISTRATOR / DEPUTY DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD (DDSL)

Tracy brings over 30 years of experience in administration across various sectors, including the Careers Service, Magistrates Courts Committee, and the Telecoms industry. Through these diverse roles, she has developed a strong foundation in organisation, communication, and people-focused service, as well as extensive experience working with young people of all ages.

Tracy is dedicated to welcoming families and young people and is often the first point of contact—whether by phone, email, or in person. Outside of work, she enjoys watching football and loves spending quality time socialising with family and friends.

LEARNING ADVISOR

Sarah studied Law at Aberystwyth and gained years of experience in the legal world in Dublin. In 2010 she decided to retrain to be a Primary school teacher and has worked with children of all ages in various settings in Brighton. As a valued member of staff, she has worked as the Eco-Coordinator and has worked closely with the Inclusion and Diversity team. 

In 2015 Sarah set up her own tutoring business to help children who, for all sorts of reasons, cannot flourish in mainstream education. In 2020, Sarah began to specialise in tuition for neurodiverse children.  

Sarah is passionate about giving children the space and time to learn in their own way. Her philosophy is that putting kindness and trust first lets learning grow and develop. 

In her spare time, Sarah loves to sing whether in choirs, bands or with friends. Sarah is also a member of a Brighton based Funk- Samba band called Baruhlo. 

LEARNING ADVISOR

Theo has worked with young people in many settings and for many years. From university students to five-year-olds, both in the UK and abroad, Theo consistently finds joy in learning alongside others. Whether through small conversations or exploring big ideas, Theo enjoys understanding the world afresh through the hearts and minds of young people.

With an academic background in Philosophy, Theo now works on whatever students bring, making each day full of the unexpected and the new.

LEARNING ADVISOR / MUSIC TUTOR

Jason is a musician with 35 years of experience and has been teaching for the past 10 years. He has written and produced seven albums, both with his band 'Clearlake' and as a solo artist. Jason has toured extensively across Europe and the U.S. and plays in a variety of bands spanning styles such as Folk, Jazz, Punk, Soul, Funk, and Music Hall. Recently, he wrote, directed, edited, and scored his first hour-long film.

Jason supports students in playing guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, accordion, and drums, as well as in songwriting, music production, visual arts, and all aspects of filmmaking.

LEARNING ADVISOR / YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDER

Phil studied field geology at university, has worked as a parasailing instructor, and is also a qualified hypnotherapist with additional therapy training. Phil is an all-rounder, having worked in a variety of industries including music, engineering, hairdressing, and construction. He has started and run his own businesses, often managing his own career path independently.

He has a passion for all sports and is always eager to try something new, with football, cricket, and snowboarding being particular favourites. Phil has volunteered as a support driver for three cross-Europe charity bike rides and for adventure unlimited at BYC. His other interests include street art and graffiti, sub and youth culture, the natural world, geography, politics, listening to music and HiFi, travel, and supporting Liverpool FC.

LEARNING ADVISOR

Max brings long and varied experience from mainstream education, always aware that the ‘one size fits all’ approach does not serve every learner. After completing a Biochemistry degree at Lancaster University and a PGCE at the University of Sussex, Max has worked in a wide range of educational settings and roles, from classroom teacher to Head of Department and Deputy Head of an independent school.

At the heart of Max’s practice is a strong belief that children learn best when they feel safe and supported, and when they are given the freedom to follow their own interests and curiosity. Max brings both experience and vision to Our Place, helping to shape a forward-thinking, learner-led environment.

Outside of education, Max enjoys badminton and the creative craft of traditional woodwork.

LEARNING ADVISOR

Lars helps students with maths and physics, design technology, woodwork, cooking, and all kinds of making and inventing, and especially likes working out riddles together with students.

He started out as an engineer and has built many things – from sheds, garden buildings, music studios, and houses to zip lines, rope swings, and solar panel installations. He also plays guitar, double bass, and violin and enjoys cycling and sailing.

He taught maths and science in mainstream schools first, but much prefers the Our Place way, being driven by students’ interests and needs, whether you think you hate maths and can’t do it, or whether you love maths and want to explore it beyond the school curriculum. He loves helping you work out what you want and need to achieve and helping you to get there.

He comes from Germany and occasionally makes up words in English.