Can you tell us where you hail from, where you trained and what your qualifications are?

I have lived in Worthing all my life! I completed my degree in English Literature with Sociology at Kingston University, before returning home to Sussex University to complete my teacher training.

I’m married to Chris Gunn, Head of Sports and Games at Sompting Abbotts.

We’ve two little boys; Laurie and Rafferty. Life is very busy but never dull!

Tell us a little about your career experience.

My first teaching post was at Broadwater C of E Primary School. More recently, I worked as a Year 1 teacher at a Deepdene Prep school in Hove (which sadly had to close its doors earlier this year). I also worked as Library Manager at a secondary school. Amongst all the things I've been a part of during my teaching career, co-leading an amazing Year 6 production of The Lion King and organising leavers' residentials to Lodge Hill are definitely my stand-out memories.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Reading is my go-to escapism. I also love to draw and paint. I’m outdoorsy, and with two busy little boys, walking, cycling, swimming and generally burning off excess energy is what my family loves to do in our spare time.

What would you say was your own approach to teaching Early Years?

I want the children I teach to experience the same wonderment that I do when learning something new - whether that be watching how an apple grows or making sense of sounds and how they form words. The forest school approach, using the natural world to support learning in the classroom, is such an enriching way for children to make links to real life - for me, the ‘why’ is equally as important as the ‘what’ when learning something new.

What drew you to become a teacher and what it is you enjoy most about teaching your particular age group?

I love to learn. There’s nothing better than finding out how something works and why. Since having my own children, I’ve loved seeing the world through their new eyes. This joy is what drew me to teaching. The wow moments - which happen everyday with children - are what make teaching such a special profession.

What's the biggest challenge about teaching this age group for you (apart from often having to sit on tiny chairs!)

Awe and wonder is often teamed with excitement! It's brilliant to see but sometimes takes a strategic approach to rein in when the time comes to move on. Little buzzing learners are still getting to grips with channelling energy. So it's a challenge sometimes, but a lovely one.

“I feel Reception should be about providing children lots of opportunities to experience and learn new things, to provide the foundation for all the learning that lays ahead of them. However your child feels coming into Reception - which naturally will be a mixture of apprehension and excitement - it’s my aim for them to enjoy and thrive during the year, developing their skills as learners, to be able to approach new things with confidence and excitement.”
— Felicity Gunn

Why have you chosen to work in the independent sector at SA and what are you especially looking forward to for your teaching?

I know Sompting Abbotts to be a nurturing and enriching environment for its pupils. Having seen the benefits of this first hand through my son who is a pupil, I was excited to have the opportunity to join the team. Sompting Abbotts’ aim to "future-proof the magic of childhood" runs parallel with my own ethos as a teacher.

This, along with its forest school approach, is what most captured my interest in working at the school. I’m incredibly excited by what Sompting Abbotts has to offer me as a teaching practitioner - not least the grounds and access to nature. I plan to make full use of them, integrating them into our class learning. (I’ve had to pinch myself a few times looking out from my classroom window. There aren't many teachers who can boast such views!)

What appealed to you about working at Sompting Abbotts given the point of your professional career at which you find yourself right now?

Having worked in the state education sector, I know the heartache, blood, sweat and tears is takes to deliver learning and get the very best from 32 pupils in a class.

When I moved to working in the independent sector, I immediately felt a depressurisation from both the teachers' and children's perspectives.

Smaller class sizes and the freedom to move beyond the national curriculum allowed me the time to focus on my pupils’ progress.

I could really ensure they were receiving the differentiated support and challenge to move them forward and tailor learning on a more individual level.

What are your favourite five books you enjoy reading aloud for the Reception age group?

I could fill a whole library with books I love to read with children. 1. Anything by Julia Donaldson is wonderful for me, though I'll narrow it down to the much-loved classic, The Gruffalo 2. The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr 3. Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae 4. Bumpus Jumpus Dinosaurumpus by Tony Mitton 5. Who's in the Loo? by Jeanne Willis.

Finally, what is a fact about you or activity you do that might surprise us!

I love the physical and mental challenge of rock climbing! Whenever I get the chance, I’ll be at Brighton’s big bouldering centre, Boulder Brighton.