Meet the Team - Our Staff

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Natalie is Potential Plus UK’s Advice Services Lead. She has been answering calls on our member advice line, creating resources and providing support to families of gifted children since 2019. Natalie also trained with Potential Plus UK to carry out educational assessments and deliver workshops to parents and professionals before managing the advice services where she supports our adviser and a team of volunteers.

Natalie discovered Potential Plus UK in 2011 when she was invited to deliver sessions for a local Explorer group, organised by member volunteers of Potential Plus UK. It’s here the realisation dawned that the never-ending questions and pace of learning from her toddler, meant that she was in the right place.

With degrees in French, Law, International Relations and Early Years Teaching, Natalie has recently completed the BPS-certified Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing and RITHA postgraduate course and is now a qualified Specialist in Gifted Education and Care through the European Council of High Ability.

Together with her husband, 3 children and the dog, Natalie enjoys family arts and music festivals, making the most of her National Trust membership and trying to squeeze in some reading of her own while keeping up with her children’s daily activities and latest interests!

Claire joined Potential Plus UK in 2022 as an assessor. Knowing little about Potential Plus UK in the beginning she now knows that at least two of her own children show traits of high learning potential! Claire studied music performance and holds a BA(Hons) in music. She later went on to gain a PGCE in primary education leading her to work for 20 years in primary education. She has had a variety of roles, such as: class teacher, music subject leader and PPA cover as well as being a private and peripatetic music teacher working for the Swindon Music Co-op and Bucks Learning Trust, delivering individual, small group and whole class music lessons. She now works for the Potential Plus UK Assessment Service as well as tutoring primary children of all abilities.

Claire is a mother to three children, one of whom is neurodivergent. She feels passionate about making sure that all children have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and empowering parents to understand the best ways to support their child.

In her spare time, Claire is a musician playing piano, alto saxophone, flute and piccolo in local bands and orchestras. She also enjoys anything creative and shares her love of crafting through adult workshops. Claire is currently studying a part-time MSc in psychology with a view to specialising in educational psychology in the future.

Caroline joined the Potential Plus UK team in 2024 after a long and successful career as a secondary school teacher where she strived to support and challenge the bright and curious minds she met in the classroom. As parents to two young bright and curious children Caroline and her partner find themselves surprised and delighted with their growing interests and insightful questions.

At Potential Plus UK Caroline brings her knowledge, skills and hyper-focus to many aspects of the ‘behind the scenes’ operations such as making sure the Advice Line booking calendar is working to writing risk assessments and almost everything else in between!  She is continually learning about High Learning Potential through her colleagues and the parents she meets at assessments and speaks to whilst manning the main phone line.

In her personal life Caroline is re-igniting a talent and passion for creative writing long neglected since her teens. She also loves to cook, cycle and spend time in nature in almost equal measure.

As Community Events Coordinator, Pippa is committed to empowering and engaging communities.

With 15 years of experience in education and the museums and heritage sector, she has led numerous projects centred around the wellbeing of children and young people. This has ranged from engaging hard-to-reach schools as a museum educator at the Victoria and Albert Museum, to working with “Children Looked After” to create their own public art exhibitions.

Pippa’s learning continues, often down unexpected paths, as she raises her own son with high learning potential. She has kept pace with a litany of new interests – from the periodic table to deep space and infinite numbers – and has the upmost respect for parents’ uniquely challenging learning journeys.

Potential Plus UK events recognise the challenges faced and aim to empower and stimulate both parents and young people while offering valuable support. Pippa is hoping to see you at one of the upcoming events soon!