Maker's bio

I am a maker, teacher and dad of three school age kids, living and working in Fife where I grew up. I am a teacher of woodwork and design in a local high school (ages 11-18yrs), a trained furniture maker, a keen spoon carver, and have been woodturning since about 11 years old. I am also a certified Forest School Leader (Level 8), passionate about the role of crafts in the development, as well as physical and mental wellbeing, of youngsters as well as adults. I have always enjoyed making, and am passionate about using natural and found materials in that process. I love teaching others new skills, whether starting someone on that journey or helping develop existing skills and knowledge or working with materials. I relish passing on techniques for creative and safe use of tools, particularly giving young people the knowledge and confidence to enjoy tools in their pastimes. Through my work in high schools I routinely work with people of different abilities and learning styles, where imaginative ways to overcome barriers to learning are something I pride myself on. I am a qualified first aider (Outdoor First Aid for Forest Schools and Outdoor Woodland Learning) and a member of the PVG scheme.