Kate Rastall

Kate is a founder of Seedpod and a trainer and consultant in creative learning with a particular interest in well-being and the natural world. She has over 30 years experience in education, as a teacher, training and support officer and play leader, and has worked with children and young people from 3 to 18, education staff, play leaders, parents and families.

She has an MA in Early Years Education, with a focus on creativity, outdoor learning and well-being, a B.Ed. in Applied Education, and is a level 3 Forest School leader. Kate established and ran a successful education programme at a local mill, introducing children to the history and processes of the local woollen industry.

As a teacher, her practice was described as outstanding by Estyn and was used as a model of good practice for visits by the local authority and students from the education school at the University of Wales. During her time as a teacher, she undertook study tours to Botswana and Zanzibar and was seconded to develop resources for the local authority in Welsh Second Language, Local Studies and in Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship.

As Foundation Phase Training and Support Officer for Pembrokeshire, she supported schools to develop their Foundation Phase provision, provided training on the curriculum and pedagogy and worked with colleagues from different agencies to set up Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools, now established both within and beyond the county.

More recently, Kate has worked as a creative practitioner with the Lead Creative Schools programme, using engagement with the natural world, and the visual arts to develop the creative habits of mind, and supported schools and early years settings in building their creative practice.

Alongside her work in education, Kate has developed her own practice in the arts, using words, visual arts and textiles to explore ideas and discover connections and patterns between well-being and the natural world.

Email: rastallkate@gmail.com.