Our People
Who We Are
Daisy Fretwell
Founder & CEO
Daisy is an experienced solicitor, entrepreneur, conflict mediator, certified life coach, nonviolent communication practitioner, play-facilitator and former school governor.
Since becoming a mother to twins she has started an award-winning ethical clothing line to support mental well-being in mothers and older siblings, and founded and launched a home education hub for children locally.
She is a passionate advocate for the well-being of children in education and the benefits of spending time in nature.
James Daniels
Coach
James has spent over 20 years in teaching and education after-school, working with students of all ages and stages, and he still believes the best learning happens when it feels real, relevant, and sticks for life. His favourite education quote, “happy children learn,” has followed him throughout his career and continues to shape how he connects with the modern learner in today’s ever-changing world.
James has worked as a classroom teacher, in SEN environments, lived and supervised in boarding settings, and worn many coaching hats along the way, all of which have strengthened his belief that knowing students well is the key to helping them succeed.
When he’s not in the classroom, James is usually outdoors, fishing, surfing, or hiking, especially if it involves an overnight pack and a long trail. Recently relocated from Australia, James is excited to bring his energy, experience, and curiosity to the Cultivate community.
Melissa Tynegate
Coach
Mel is an experienced educational leader with over 15 years’ experience. She is enthusiastic about helping learners understand how they learn, not just what they learn, and believes that developing awareness of thinking processes is the key to long-term academic and personal growth.
As Vice Principal at a leading independent sixth form college, Mel has led strategic initiatives in curriculum design, academic support and safeguarding. Her work focuses on equipping young people with the tools to become reflective, adaptive learners who can transfer skills across subjects and contexts.
Mel has expertise in supporting diverse learners, including those with varying processing needs, SEN and EAL. She works closely with teachers to build classroom cultures where thinking is made visible, mistakes are reframed as opportunities for growth, and dialogue supports deeper understanding.
Her approach is grounded in a belief that learning should be joyful, purposeful and rooted in meaningful understanding.
Jess Dowdeswell
Coach
Jess originally trained in classical and jazz music and has spent over 15 years performing on the London and international jazz scene. Jess has always nurtured a deep passion for education and has worked across numerous educational settings, including serving as Vocal Musical Director for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
She has empowered children to take on meaningful responsibilities song-writing and engaging in musical production to explore their diverse interests. More recently she taught at a progressive London school, where she developed textbook-free, project-based learning units, enriched by extensive outdoor learning.
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​She enables and removes barriers - supporting children in pursuing their own interests and nurturing that spark of joyful learning which forms the foundation of confidence, happiness and lifelong motivation.
Deb Wilenski
Pedagogical Advisor
Deb has worked for twenty years in the field of education: as an artist/scientist in residence, workshop facilitator, full-time studio teacher and pedagogical lead.
She is inspired by educational approaches in Reggio Emilia and worldwide that value children and educators as makers of culture. Deb specialises in inclusive, personalised, experiential learning; emergent curriculum and design thinking; place-based ecological education and embodied learning.
Deb creates physical and social spaces that are playful and purposeful and believes we learn best through community, diversity and curiosity.
This picture of Deb was taken recently by a 5 year-old learner, who used photography to build social connections