We are building a showcase model for the future of education. For a sustainable, ethical and inclusive future we need a Biophilic Education System that nurtures the whole human being as an integral part of a local and global ecosystem. Schools could be inspiring net+ community spaces, havens for life-long learning, embracing both high tech and low tech teaching opportunities.Da Vinci Life-Skills has designed a 'living' curriculum and assessment model. We are disrupting the institution as we know it, to empower the entrepreneurs and world builders of the future. To research and impact sustainable education policy for all learners.Backed by decades of research, we are offering teacher training and all the resources for a contextual, project-based curriculum, in five transdisciplinary pathways, evidenced through digital portfolios, combining self & peer-assessment with mentor and external assessment, to feed forward and enhance a life-long learning journey.Living by the Da Vincian principles can liberate us all to explore our varied interests and encourage us to realise our full potential."The Seven Da Vincian Principles are:Curiosità – An insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.Dimostrazione – A commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.Sensazione – The continual refinement of the senses, as the means to enliven experience.Sfumato- A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty. (Listening to one's intuition)Arte/Scienza – The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination. “Whole-brain" thinking.Corporalita- The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise.Connessione – A recognition and appreciation for the connectedness of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking."From 'How to Think like Leonardo Da Vinci' by Michael Gelb.

We have opened a wonderful Biophilic Education learning hub at Arrington, South Cambridge which offers three of our Da Vinci Life-Skills (DVLS) pathways. We have also formed a partnership with Patchwork Education Village to open a second BE Hub at Abington Woods, South Cambridge which offers two of our DVLS pathways. We accept students from 10+, our flexi-learning offers places from one to more days a week. Please contact us for more information or to come for a trial day.

I am currently developing a project-based curriculum and formative assessment model, to advance the education system for the future, to help students find their WHY. The mission is to bring more equality and creativity into schools.

I have taught art and design and design technology since 2001, in schools, adult education, after school clubs, holiday workshops, individual tutoring and community projects, in the UK, Spain, India and Indonesia.2020-2021 I created portfolio building art projects for The Green School, Bali, high school students, as a freelance teacher.2017-2018 I worked with Whitefield Rising Charity in Bangalore, India to introduce art lessons and train teachers in local government schools.2010-2016 I created a student film club and in 2016 we won the best film for key stage 3 and key stage 5 and also Best in Festival, at the Cambridge Young People's Film Festival.2009-2010 I developed and ran creative retreats combining Point Zero Painting and yoga, in both North Devon, UK and Barcelona, Spain.2009-2010 I taught life drawing for Cornwall Adult Education.2008-10 I developed and taught Point Zero Painting NCFE classes for Cornwall College's outreach department.2008 I worked with the Bude Wellbeing Project teaching secondary students and staff Point Zero Painting.2007-2008 I worked with KEAP (Kernow Education Arts Partnership) to create and run Point Zero Painting after-school clubs in Primary schools across Cornwall.2007 I was awarded a grant from The Rural Outreach Learning Initiative to create adult Point Zero Painting classes.(Point Zero Painting is a meditative technique designed by Michelle Cassou, to help you access your free flow of intuitive creativity, remove creative blocks and play with imagery and paint.)

I paint commissioned portraits in oil, water colour and charcoal. I also paint murals for individuals, institutions and for community events.

Being a good mother requires a lot of skills, patience, empathy, leadership, teamwork, listening, management, conflict resolution, care, psychology, problem solving, etc. Raising my two beautiful girls has been the biggest honour of my life.

I taught secondary students in a purpose built classroom that I created out of reclaimed, up-cycled wood. I helped build both the art and DT key stage 3 schemes of work and helped design the online student interface and art resources throughout lock-down.

I designed and taught pregnancy and postnatal yoga classes combining hatha yoga and Janet Balaskas's Active Birth workshops, to support women's health and wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond birth.

I designed and made bespoke and batch production furniture in wood, metal and ceramics from a purpose built workshop.