Our Team

Guy is a trained teacher but realised that the difficulties and constraints of the mainstream environment were at odds with his values and ideology about education and about how young people should be treated.

His love of research and infinite quest for deeper understanding brought him to the alternative educational models of places like Sudbury, Sands and Summerhill. In 2021 he met the rest of the team and so Our Free Minds was born.

Guy is the sort of person anyone would want as a role model for their children. He knows how to play, to climb, to listen, to think and to learn. He is often described as a big kid - but this big kid has an amazing brain and an open heart.

Hannah had what many would consider to be a highly successful educational journey, culminating in a 1st class degree in literature and language from Oxford. Having reached the ‘top’ of the educational mountain, she realised she did not know where to go next. She had done everything everyone had told her to do, but didn’t understand herself.

She took herself on a journey through multiple industries including marketing, real estate and education. Along the way sparking an interest in the way we prepare young people for the future. When she met the other like-minded folk on the team, Our Free Minds came into being. 

As a facilitator in our community Hannah brings her unique form of calm energy and enthusiasm. As someone endlessly curious about the world, she is a wonderful person to explore with. Her true ‘talent’ however lies in her ability to connect with people, helping them feel safe, welcome and at home.

Originally from Hong Kong, Sze Wai relocated to the UK in 2021. A journalism graduate, she led a career in journalism and corporate communications. During this time she also gained a second degree in law. 

After years of being achievement-orientated, she realised that she would feel more fulfilled by giving back to the community and to the people she loves. This set her on a path of self-discovery that led to a fascination and commitment to the ideas of self-directed learning.

Sze Wai is now a full-time mother, who supports Our Free Minds on site as well as with administrative tasks behind the scenes. She lives with her husband David in his hometown of Swindon with their two children, Flower and Seano. In her spare time, she loves to read, write, practice yoga and take walks.

Katie is a cognitive behavioural therapist who believes that everyone can flourish with the right nurturing and circumstances. After realising that mainstream schooling was not a good fit for her daughter, Katie delved into understanding alternative education models. However, with nothing within striking distance of home and no great desire to move she decided to set about creating something locally. 

Putting her feelers out led her to a conversation with Guy, in which they realised they had such aligned values and vision - they were finishing each other’s sentences having never met - that joining forces was a clear way forward. Katie always says she’d like “Where there’s a will there’s a way” on her tombstone - Our Free Minds is a collection of wills forging the way together.

Cléa discovered Our Free Minds soon after her daughter started in reception at a small local school. With a passionate background in developing, managing and promoting community play opportunities and playwork, and a deep commitment to the importance of play, "schooling" felt extremely uncomfortable. She quickly took her daughter out in order to "unschool" her, and explore other local provisions. 

Cléa became fascinated by self-directed learning, and how neatly this aligns with play and playwork! Although her daughter determined to return to school after nearly a year out, Cléa became equally committed to how important self-directed alternatives to school education are and is excited to contribute to this in OFM.   

Mara has over 25+ years’ experience at the secondary level in the US. This included founding and leading new schools and supporting students from under-privileged backgrounds to prepare for university. For the last five years she has designed, taught and managed numerous teacher training programs in the UK and overseas. She is excited about improving learning experiences as part of a global community and is passionate about contributing to the success of Our Free Minds.