Investment in Early Years is the bedrock of all successful schools.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been focussed on making an Early Years provision as outstanding as it can possibly be.
With over 20 years experience of leading and managing outstanding EYFS settings in schools with very different pupil demographics, I have a proven track record in delivering the best possible outcomes for children. Journeying from satisfactory to outstanding in different settings has equipped me with the skills to challenge, support and train practitioners and leaders in developing their own outstanding provision within the context of current statutory and Ofsted frameworks.
I am passionate about improving the life chances for all children and know there are no barriers to achievement. We can ensure children develop into lifelong learners by focussing on the value of the learning process itself. My knowledge and experience enables me to lead, challenge and support educators to focus not on the ‘what’ children are learning but on the ‘how’ children learn, for they are creative, flexible and resilient learners in their own right.
Please get in touch with your enquiries and questions. Together we can work in a supportive and collaborative way to create high quality Early Years teaching and learning.
My Training and Credentials
- BA Hons: Religious Studies
- MA Distinction: Somatic Practices exploring Mind-Body Connection. Somatic Movement Educator
- PGCE: Primary Education
- Elklan: Creating Communication Friendly Settings
- Apple Distinguished Teacher
- Internal Family Systems: Level 1
- MBSR: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Bangor University
More About Me
- I’m purpose driven: I ask lots of questions and love making every project a success!
- I’m a collaborator and connector: I love creating positive connections with people and working as a team to build success together.
- I’m passionate about health and wellbeing: I love researching how the mind and body work together to create health and happiness.
- I’m known for being very calm: it must be all the mindfulness and yoga I love to do.
Testimonials
I have had the privilege of working with Zoe over many years, and her outstanding practice in early years education shines brightly. Her knowledge, expertise and understanding of best practice in early years are truly inspirational. For Zoe puts the needs of each individual child at the heart of all her work. She is highly skilled at coaching and supporting others to reflect on their practice and move forward in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for children in the Early Years. I highly recommend her skill set in improving any early years setting.
Mrs C Jones, Headteacher – Euxton Primrose Hill Primary School
Zoe Kennell is an outstanding EYFS practitioner. Having led such a setting for many years, and being graded at outstanding in her last Ofsted she is well placed to advise and support any school in how such a setting is to be organised and developed. She strongly believes that communication and language are fundamental to every aspect of young child’s thinking and learning. Her practice exemplifies how high quality interactions between children and adults can enhance a child’s rate of development no matter what their background. She strongly believes that it is the quality of the interactions rather than the than the quantity that makes the most difference. The CPD she provides has always been highly effective. Her approach is epistemic, which makes teachers think about what they’re doing before giving them the why to try again. Experimentation without fear in a highly supportive coaching role is her strength. Zoe can also provide expert advice for leadership teams to ensure that the EYFS setting meets with all safeguarding requirements and procedures whilst the curriculum is engineered to be ambitious. Having seen the quality of Zoe’s work I would have no hesitation in recommending her to support and improve any school’s EYFS setting.
Bill Thompson – Independent SIA
I had the pleasure of working alongside Zoe for many years and I cannot speak highly enough of her leadership. She is forward-thinking and always looking for ways to support both adults and children in reaching their full potential. Zoe has a calming presence and at the same time her passion for early years education is contagious. She is a joy to work with and I highly recommend Zoe to anyone looking for a highly skilled and dedicated educator to drive their teaching and learning forward.
Eve Doughty – Layton Primary School Blackpool
Having worked for many years in an EYFS setting led by Zoe, I can say with confidence that she has a deep understanding of what constitutes highly effective teaching and learning. Through a balance of support and challenge, Zoe developed each team member in order to improve our planning, indoor and outdoor environment and our assessment for learning. Over time our outcomes steadily improved and led to an outstanding Ofsted inspection. I will always be grateful for the many big and small ways in which Zoe shared her knowledge and expertise with me. For she gave me the confidence to deliver outstanding teaching and learning for my own class. I thoroughly recommend Zoe’s service.