Our people

After graduating, Emmanuel joined the Teach First programme and taught English at a secondary school in Birmingham. It was because of his experiences teaching looked after children that Emmanuel decided to work with a group of other Teach First ambassadors to explore improving their educational outcomes. Prior to founding Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust, Emmanuel worked in a charity providing training and work opportunities to disadvantaged young people and in the management consultancy and technology sectors helping organisations use technology to better support young people. In his spare time Emmanuel enjoys swimming, cycling, running and going to the gym.

Clarese has over 16 years’ experience working with children, young people and families, including more than 10 years in residential childcare. Throughout her career, she has worked with children who have experienced trauma, neglect, emotional and behavioural difficulties, supporting them to build resilience and achieve positive outcomes. Clarese is passionate about developing confident, skilled staff teams and maintaining high standards of practice, safeguarding and regulatory compliance. She enjoys getting to know each young person, celebrating their achievements and helping them build confidence. Clarese is a huge dog lover and enjoys watching Harry Potter films and Grey’s Anatomy!

Beccy has spent most of her career in the charitable sector both at home and abroad, where she has worked in different roles across funding, strategy, research and business development. After completing her Masters in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Beccy spent some time living in Paris working as an English teacher. She came back home in 2020 where she worked for a charity that aims to tackle inequalities and improve wellbeing outcomes for people across the UK. In her spare time, Beccy enjoys long walks in the countryside, trying all different types of cuisines, and travelling at every opportunity she gets.

James first encountered Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust’s work at university, and spent a summer researching best practice for the foundation of our first home. He then taught in schools across Yorkshire and London, latterly leading an English department in an all-through school in Feltham. He has collaborated on improving relational practice, professional development and literacy with teachers nationally and internationally. Outside of work, you might find him baking bread or running up hills.