Team
Lara Leslie – Director and SEND Lead
Lara is an artist, videographer and animator with 20 years experience working in animation studios, including with Blue Zoo, Fudge and Jelly Fish Productions. Lara setup PPF in 2016 when she moved to Sussex with 2 small children. Lara has a strong interest in the capacity of art, animation and film to benefit the social, educational and creative lives of others and this has led to an increasing focus on working with young people with SEND and other complex needs. Lara has has recently completed Levels 1 and 2, NCFE CACHE Certificates in Counselling to strengthen this offering.
Grace Hughes – Learning and Engagement Manager and Workshop Leader
Grace has a background in art and design and art has always been a crucial factor to Grace in facilitating self-expression. Grace has worked for PPF for 6 years and has “had the pleasure to take children on a journey which cultivates their creativity but also fosters problem-solving skills and encourages a lifelong appreciation for the arts and animation. Grace is often found creating beautifully crafted clay models for children’s animations or getting stuck into set design!
Eleanor Walford – Educational and School Curriculum Lead & Workshop Leader
Ellie is a bilingual teacher, writer and teacher trainer with over 20 years’ experience in education, charity and the arts in the UK and Spain. Ellie is a trained primary school teacher specialising in literacy, EAL and second-language acquisition. She has worked as a teacher trainer for education departments across Spain. Ellie has a strong understanding of the National Curriculum, at all Key Stages, and often helps turn PPF creative animation workshop ideas into learning programmes that meet a specific school’s needs. As well as working with PPF, Ellie currently teaches part- time at a school in Hove and lectures in international education at the University of Chichester.
Lucie Simon – Food Partner and Workshop Leader
Lucie is a qualified nutritional therapist following training at the College of Naturopathic Medicine. Lucie provides delicious hot, heathy lunches, snacks and popcorn at many of our workshops. Lucie also runs cookery and juicing sessions with children. Lucie also heads up the food company Feel Good Food.
Iain Paxon – Workshop Leader
Iain has a background in youth work and extensive experience overseeing workshops with children. He is a sound and visual artist with an interest in the use of story-telling, visual narrative and free improvisation. Iain loves a run around and can be counted on to start a game of football with children at lunchtime! Some of his work can be seen here.
Clients and Collaborators
Arts Council England, The Department for Education, East Sussex County Council, East Sussex Library Service, Brighton and Hove Library Service, Camden Council, University College London, The Depot Cinema, Hastings Contemporary Gallery, Elderflower Fields Festival, Fun House Festival, Into the Wild, The Royal Observatory, The Woodland and Downs Museum, The Gunnersbury Museum, Proud House Stanmer Park, mASCot, Iford and Kingston Primary School, St Peters Primary School, St Christopher’s Prep School, Hamsey Primary School and many more!
