About me

Hello, I’m Nicki

Founder of Whole & Wild Learning | SEND Specialist Teacher

I am a Bristol-based qualified teacher with over 13 years of experience supporting young people with additional needs in specialist settings.

Whole & Wild Learning was created for young people who don’t quite fit into traditional school environments, or who thrive best with a low-demand, autonomous approach. My core strength lies in supporting learners with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) traits, Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), and heightened anxiety.

A Unique Blend of Nature, Creativity & Tech

With a background in animation and digital design alongside Level 3 Forest School Leader training, I deliver flexible learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. Whether we are building digital game portfolios, creating stop-motion animation, or exploring literacy through outdoor natural materials, every session is built around your child’s intrinsic interests.

How We Work Together

  • Connection & Regulation First: True learning grows from safety, trust, and curiosity. I meet each child exactly where they are to ensure they feel emotionally regulated before introducing academic goals.

  • Bespoke Parent Consultations: Before our first session, we conduct an in-depth consultation to map your child's unique strengths, sensory profile, and personal interests.

  • Flexible & Organic Delivery: I arrive prepared with a clear plan, but maintain the mindset and materials to follow your child’s leads in the moment.

🌿 Informed by Experience & Understanding

My practice blends:

  • 13+ years teaching in specialist SEND settings

  • Level 3 Forest School leadership & nature-rooted learning

  • Neurodiversity-affirming, low-demand, and sensory-aware methods

  • Occupational therapy-informed regulation strategies

  • Creative media integration (BA Hons Animation and Interactive Media University of Gloucestershire: 1st Class), game design, and digital projects)

  • A deep commitment to honouring the whole person

Gentle, grounded, personalised support that honours who your child is.

A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing gold hoop earrings and a nose ring, smiling in an indoor space with glass and bookshelf background.
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Testimonials

“He really enjoyed the Wiggly Phonics club and has come home practicing the movements. Thankyou for making Phonics fun!”

Parent of a 8-year old Wiggly Phonics Club Member, Bristol

Three young children standing in a room holding circular yellow signs with black letters spelling ' play'. They are smiling and appear to be at a school or community center with colorful cones and hoops on the floor.

“We absolutely love having you as our son’s tutor. Everything you do with him just makes sense. It’s clear to see how much progress he has made”

Parent of a 15 year old young person who uses non-vocal communication, Bristol

A worksheet with images and names of four characters: Arthur, Ren, Cloud, and Cecily, and a picture of an inside house hallway.

“You can see how much thought and attention to detail goes into every session. She can’t wait for the next term to begin”

Parent of a 10-year old Myth Maker

Children engaging in arts and crafts activity at a table, creating objects with reddish clay, with craft supplies and completed figures on the burlap-covered table.

“You really tuned into what she likes and helped her to engage in a subject she lacks confidence in. The end of block assessment was so useful for helping us to understand where the gaps in her learning are and how we can support her moving forward”

Parent of a 8-year old Summer Holiday Maths Confidence Booster, Bath

Person threading pink and grey foam dice with numbers onto a string, with other foam dice and a white mug on the table in the background.