Teachers | The Dharma Primary School

Clare Eddison - Head Teacher and primary DSL

MA/BA Hons Natural Sciences (Cantab) and PGCE (Music) University of Sussex

Clare joined the Dharma Primary School in September 2015 as our new Head. She is a teacher with many years of experience and also a practising Buddhist and a long-term student of meditation. Find out more.

“My decision to apply for the headship came from a deep wish to integrate my love of learning with my Buddhist practice. I have a passion for creative education, one that incorporates the whole child, and with my previous experience I bring an instinctive approach to excellence in the craft of teaching. .”

Alison - Head of Early Years and Deputy DSL

B.A. (Hons) English/ Cultural and Community Studies, P.G.C.E University of Sussex

“The Dharma Primary School has been an important part of my life since it began in 1994. I supported the Head Teacher one day per week during the first year of the school and have taught part-time ever since. The school has offered me the freedom to teach in the way I truly believe in, with time to nurture every child and relate to them as unique individuals. Its exhausting, but I love it!”

Mei Mei - Nursery Teacher, yoga teacher KS1 and Deputy DSL

B.Sc (Hons) Experimental Psychology, University of Sussex / P.G.C.E Early Years (Aged 3-8) Science Specialism, University of Chichester / TEFL cert. / Starchild Children’s Yoga Instructor cert. (2011)

“I have 19 years experience as an Early Years Teacher in various settings including private and state in the UK and international schools in SE Asia; I set up, ran and taught in a homeschooling group in Thailand. I feel so grateful to be part of a community where kindness and wellbeing are a priority. Its a joy to be able to really tune in to children and appreciate their unique personalities.”

Becky - Reception/year 1

B.A. (Hons) Theatre Design, Nursery/Reception T.E.O.S.L., Certificate P.G.C.E. Art and design

“I love teaching at the Dharma Primary School, as it allows me to be creative and teach with a holistic approach. I also believe it is a real privilege to work with small classes, as I can develop strong relationships with the children. I also have two gorgeous young boys, who keep me very busy.”

Georgia - Reception/ year 1/ ICC co-ordinator

Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Varndean College, Brighton) / BA(Hons) Primary Education (3-7) with QTS, with Religious Education subject specialism (University of Brighton)

“I am particularly interested in the philosophy of play and exploration for learning with the child at the centre, and educating the whole child. The small class sizes ensure that I know each child well and can spend time listening to them and appreciating the things that make them unique individuals. Something I enjoy the most about working with young children is watching them grow and develop in all areas, emotionally, socially and intellectually. Since working at the school I have learnt more about Buddhism and mindfulness practice, this is something I am inspired by and feeds into my philosophy of Early Years’ education.”

Caroline - Year 2 - Forest School Leader

B.A. (Hons) History and Philosophy of Education, P.G.C.E. Primary Education

“I have been at the Dharma Primary School for over 10 years and I still love coming to work! Having worked in a variety of educational settings I know the atmosphere here to be very special, for staff and children alike.”

Heather - Year 2 - Fridays

BA Education | TEFL Diploma | Primary Education PGCE - University of Brighton

“It was a winding road that brought me to primary teaching, and now to the Dharma Primary School. While raising my two sons, I taught EFL at the University of Brighton and trained and worked as a massage practitioner. Since qualifying as a primary teacher in 2011, I’ve worked as a supply teacher around Sussex and spent six years as a class teacher at Lewes New School, where we practised co-creative teaching and learning. I’m looking forward to mindfully continuing my journey at the Dharma School.”

Douglas - Years 3/4 (Monday - Wednesday)

B.A (Hons) International Business, University of Brighton, P.G.C.E. MFL (French) University of Kingston, completing M.A in English Language Teaching at the University of Sussex.

“I have returned to Brighton after teaching French in Beijing, China at an international school. Previously, I was subject leader of French in a secondary school. I am half French and bilingual, I have lived all over the world, I am passionate about cultures and the feeling that education is a doorway to the bigger world. It has been a desire of mine to work at the Dharma School for quite a while and feel very privileged to have been given this role. I am a strong believer in mindfulness and well-being and it’s potential in helping pupils learn and progress in both academia and as human beings. I look forward to taking pupils on a journey of learning and wonders.”

Fuschia - Years 3/4 (Thursday and Friday)

B.A (Hons) University of Brighton, Primary P.G.C.E (with distinction) from Bangor University

Before joining us, Fuschia taught Years 3 and 4 at a British Primary School in Madrid (a Montessori school that followed the National Curriculum). She has 12 years’ experience teaching in primary schools and is keen to develop opportunities for Spanish language, Latin dance and Forest School.

Gina - Years 5/6 and PSHE co-ordinator

B.A (Hons) Politics and Society University of Exeter, P.G.C.E. Religious Education University of Brighton

“Before joining the Dharma School I was Head of Ethics and Philosophy and I trained in RE. I am passionate about these subjects as they enable students to deepen their understanding of themselves and others, and explore their own beliefs and feelings. My motivation to teach grew out of my own experience of meditation and Dharma. I am committed to integrating ethics into education and feel blessed to be in a position to bring Buddhist values and practices into my daily teaching. The Dharma School is a unique, joyful, creative, exciting place and I’m very happy to work here!”

Emily Goodwin - Years 5/6 Fridays, Maths and Science

BA (Hons) Biology, University of Bath; P.G.C.E. Bath Spa University

“Before joining the Dharma School, I was Head of Science at a prep school. Before this I had worked in secondary schools in the UK and New Zealand and also had a stint teaching kindergarten in South Korea. Keen to fit in teaching in Brighton around my two small children, I was thrilled to find this position. The Dharma School has the right balance between ensuring children reach their academic potential and teaching them to look after their mental well-being whilst developing strong, positive relationships.”

SENCo - Ruth

MA (Cantab), MA in Education (OU), PGCE Primary (Homerton Cambridge), BA Hons Psychology (Open), BSc Hons (Open), Adv Dip Equality and Diversity (Open), Dip Mus (Open), MBPsS

“Before joining the Dharma School I have worked right across the age range from Nursery to Sixth Form and in both mainstream schools and special schools. I qualified as a teacher just over 30 years ago and have been learning more about teaching ever since. Each child is an individual and many need additional support or different ways of approaching learning at some point in their time at school to achieve their full potential. It is my job at the Dharma to work with children and staff to help make this possible. I have four children of my own, all grown up now, and a Grandson fast approaching his first days at school.”

Helen - Music Teacher

Bsc Hons Degree – University of Newcastle upon Tyne Architectural studies, Diploma University of Barcelona- Spanish and PGCE Primary (Institute of Education) Music specialism

Sophia - instrumental (violin and piano) teacher

BA Joint Hons English & Drama, PG Dip Japanese Language and Culture (Music & Drama)

“I have been teaching piano and violin to primary school children for nine years, having played both since the age of 5 myself. I am fortunate to have developed my craft as a music teacher at Lewes New School; an environment which placed the curiosity of the child as paramount. This has informed the way I think about teaching in a way that is uniquely tailored to each child and flexible to their interests and talents. Teaching children musical instruments has brought me a great deal of joy and I look forward to taking up this new post at the Dharma School.”

Gabrielle - French Teacher

ISTEC degree (Paris), Level 3 in Childcare (Brighton), Continuous training to teach MFL in primary school (Brighton)

“I am passionate about introducing French to young children. I believe it is the key to gaining confidence in speaking French or any modern language later on in life. I was introduced to my second language, English, at a very early age and it gave me the enthusiasm to join in during my lessons at secondary schools, as well as to live and work in UK later on. I really enjoy the small class environment at Dharma since all the children have the opportunity to practise speaking and play educational games. Coming to Dharma school encouraged me to live my life at a slower pace and I now appreciate taking the time to meditate and practice yoga.”