Skip to main content

Our Team

Our team can help you to build a robust and inspirational culture of learning for all students.

Our areas of expertise include excellence, empathy, collective & self-efficacy, feedback, questioning, leadership, growth mindset, P4C and of course, the Learning Pit.

We have offices in Australia, Japan, Sweden, the UK and the USA.

“The Learning Pit team will help you navigate the world of educational concepts and research with a wonderful blend of clarity and good humour.”

Professor CAROL DWECK

The Learning Pit Team

Our full-time staff offer PD days, demo lessons, coaching, and longer-term support

Company Director

Jill Nottingham

Contact her if...

- You are in the USA, Canada or Latin America
- You'd like us to work with your leadership team
- You'd like advice about funding for longer-term projects with our team

Email: Jill@learningpit.org

Jill is the Co-Director at the Learning Pit, an accomplished teacher, and expert in Early Years learning, and teaching support for parents.

Email: Jill@learningpit.org

Company Director, UK

James Nottingham

Email his PA: sarah@learningpit.org
Call: +44 1760 330036 (Office)

Contact his PA, Sarah Unwin

Email: sarah@learningpit.org

Call: +44 1760 330036 (UK Office)

Director of Engagement & Communications

Sabina Bhugun

Contact her if...

- You are in Europe or Africa
- You would like to engage in online or asynchronous learning opportunities
- You have any finance, HR or legal questions (including our Trademark)

Email: sabina@learningpit.org
Call: +44 1670 330036 (UTC)

Before joining our team, Sab held senior roles in television production, social media management, creative writing, mobile app and website development

Why did you join the Learning Pit team? 

I’m a people person, and the Learning Pit is all about people! I wanted to make it my mission to ensure that the pit was universal, accessible, and understood as a positive concept on a global scale.

The team is warm and entirely focused upon the needs and contexts of those we work with. I recognised that unlike some other forms of professional development, the Learning Pit is not scripted, but a life journey – not a box you tick for one semester/term.

I want to ensure everyone knows that we’re professional and have the interests of our clients at heart – with humour, real life knowledge, and passion!

Email: sabina@learningpit.org
Call: +44 1670 330036 (UTC)

Learning Pit Consultant, Japan

Clare Barnfather

Contact her if...
- You are in Japan or SE Asia

Email: clare@learningpit.org
Call: +81 90 6434 1256 (UTC+9)

Email: clare@learningpit.org
Call: +81 90 6434 1256 (UTC+9)
Learning Pit Trainee Consultant, Japan

Lamia Aluariachy

Contact her if...
- You are in Japan or SE Asia

Email: lamia@learningpit.org

Email: lamia@learningpit.org
Creative Media & Events Manager

Sarah Unwin

Contact her if...

- You want to book James Nottingham
- You'd like to commission a set of videos to support your in-house PD
- You'd like to talk about a study tour to any one of 15 countries

Email: sarah@learningpit.org
Call: +44 1670 330036 (UTC)

Since joining our company in 2015, Sarah has organised conferences across Europe; hosted study tours; and accompanied Professor Carol Dweck on numerous growth mindset tours!

Email: sarah@learningpit.org
Call: +44 1670 330036 (UTC)

Senior Consultant, Australia

George Telford

Contact him if...

- You'd like us to work with your leadership team in Oceania or SE Asia

Our Associates

In addition to our full-time staff, we also work closely with trusted associates, all of whom have a deep understanding of our values & approaches to pedagogy. Indeed, many of them used to be full-time members of staff.

Contact us direct if you’d like to enquire about any of our Associate Team.

Learning Pit Associate, USA

Laura O'Donnell

Laura has expertise in...

- Organizational leadership at high school & collegiate level
- Building principal/administrative roles at all levels (elementary, middle, & high school)
- Organizational change in teaching, assessment, and grading

Learning Pit Associate, Australia

Renee Petitt

Renee has expertise in...

- Being an Instructional Leader for professional growth at all career stages
- Nationally certified ‘Lead Teacher’ in NSW, Australia with 24 years of classroom teacher experience
- Leading whole school initiatives incorporating collaborative and applied professional learning

Learning Pit Associate, UK

Pippa Leslie

Pippa has expertise in...

- Early Years & Primary teaching and leadership stages
- Focus on collective mindsets, dialogue, and Philosophy for Children
- Engaging & interactive professional learning and coaching for teachers and leaders

Regional Contacts

Head Office (UK)
engage@learningpit.org
T: +44 1670 330036

USA (CST)
engage@learningpit.org
T: +44 1670 330036

Japan
Clare Barnfather
T: +81 90 6434 1256

Head Office Address

Challenging Learning,
2 Linnet Court,
Cawledge Business Park,
Alnwick, Northumberland,
NE66 2GD, UK

The Learning Pit is part of the Challenging Learning group with offices in the UK, Australia, Japan, Scandinavia, USA

Get in touch