Meet The Team
Jenni Brixey, Manager BSc (Hons) Children's Nursing, Level 3 Children's & Young People's Workforce
Jenni is local to the Purbeck area and can often be found training her border collie in the surrounding countryside. She loves being outdoors in the fresh air especially walking, paddle boarding and swimming.
She has over 16 years of experience working closely with children, young people and their families. She has a warm, enthusiastic attitude and always takes a people centred approach to her work.
Her career started as an Assistant Manager for a large school for children with autism. She then joined a children's hospice and cared for children with a variety of complex medical needs as well as learning disabilities. From there Jenni made the move to London to complete her training to become a fully qualified Paediatric Nurse.
Her paediatric nursing has given her a whole host of experiences and a real understanding of the difficulties children and their families can face. Alongside her nursing role she has volunteered for various schools and charities, one being in Kenya, as she is passionate about sharing her skills with those in need.
Jenni's clinical background enhances Church Knowle Rural Learning’s strong foundation in safeguarding, health, and wellbeing. Among her many qualities, she has resilience, great organisational and leadership skills required to manage and inspire a team and empathy. Jenni is passionate about creating opportunities where young people can thrive and their personal growth can flourish.
Enhanced DBS, Level 3 Safeguarding, Young People & Mental Health Trained.
Jocelyn Hammett - Teacher (BSc) Hons PGCE (Primary)
Jocelyn has a career spanning over 20 years across primary, middle and outdoor education. She is an experienced educator specialising in inclusive practice, behaviour support, and personalised learning for pupils with SEND.
Jocelyn’s leadership background—spanning roles such as Head of Year and Head of History & Geography and PE—has strengthened her ability to guide staff in inclusive classroom practice, monitor progress for SEND learners, and coordinate crossdepartmental initiatives that prioritise wellbeing and equity. She is skilled at identifying barriers to learning, supporting colleagues with differentiation, and ensuring that provision aligns with statutory guidance and best practice.
Jocelyn loves being outside- she can be found open-water swimming or mountain biking in Purbeck-and her earlier work in outdoor education and international teaching further shaped her inclusive philosophy. Leading residential field studies and adventurous activities required her to design risk-assessed, accessible experiences for diverse groups of learners, including those with physical, emotional, or behavioural needs. She is aware of the resource-rich landscape that surrounds Church Knowle, such as local rivers, Corfe Castle and the amazing coastline. Teaching in a rural New Zealand school deepened her adaptability, enabling her to support multilevel classes with varied learning profiles.
Across every role, Jocelyn has championed the belief that SEND provision is not an add-on but a foundation of effective teaching. Her practice is rooted in empathy, structure, and high expectations—ensuring that all pupils, regardless of need, feel seen, supported, and capable of success.
Enhanced DBS, Safeguarding and KCSIE trained.
Cheryl Sutton B.Ed (Hons), M.A. (Ed. Management), NPQH
Cheryl Sutton B.Ed (Hons), M.A. (Ed. Management), NPQH
Cheryl has a lifelong passion for education. With thirty years of experience in both the primary and secondary sectors, she is a qualified teacher who has developed a particular interest in how children learn best through building positive relationships. Cheryl has spent seventeen years in primary school leadership, serving as a headteacher in two successful schools in London. She has also worked as a School Improvement Advisor for a local authority.
Cheryl has extensive experience supporting students with additional needs, both as a teacher and as a SENCo, where she has delivered staff training, developed ieps and worked in partnership with parents. Holding a master’s degree in education management, she believes that learning should be engaging, relevant, and enjoyable. She is passionate about providing students with individual, targeted opportunities to be fully engaged in their own education. Cheryl recognises that motivation and engagement are critical to learning and are significantly influenced by a student’s well-being, self-esteem, and sense of belonging. Enhanced DBS, Level 2 Safeguarding, B. Ed. (Hons), M.A. ( Ed. Management), NPQH.
Kate Unwin, Senior Mentor
Kate Unwin, Senior Mentor
Cheryl Sutton B.Ed (Hons), M.A. (Ed. Management), NPQH
Kate brings a unique combination of outdoor learning, equine experience, animal care and a lifelong passion for supporting people to Church Knowle Rural Learning.
Having previously served in the RAF, Kate brings strong teamwork, responsibility, resilience and a calm, practical approach to her work. She has been working with children and young people with SEND for the past four years, supporting a range of individual needs and helping young people develop confidence, independence and a positive relationship with learning.
Horses have been a huge part of Kate’s life for many years. She owns her own horse, enjoys riding and has experience supporting vulnerable young people through equine-assisted and animal-based activities. She is passionate about the connection between horses and people, and how working alongside them can develop trust, communication, confidence and emotional awareness. Her approach is centred around kindness, respect and the wellbeing of both horse and person.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys travelling, riding, spending time with animals and being outdoors. She is actively involved in her local community and has a strong love of rural life and the natural environment.
Kate is delighted to be part of the Church Knowle Rural Learning team and is passionate about creating an environment where young people feel safe, understood and encouraged to be themselves, while having opportunities to learn through nature, animals, practical experiences and build genuine relationships.
Kate holds an OCN Level 3 qualification in Equine Assisted Learning and is currently studying towards her OCN Level 4 Facilitation qualification. She also holds a CIPD Level 3 qualification in Human Resources, alongside being Autism trained, PACE trained, Level 2 Safeguarding qualified, First Aid trained and holds an Enhanced DBS.
Amelia Coffen, Founder
Kate Unwin, Senior Mentor
Amelia Coffen, Founder
Amelia’s early career was in local government as an Internal Auditor. After moving to Purbeck she helped set up and run a landscaping business with her husband, John, as well as becoming a full time Mum to two boys, the eldest of whom is severely disabled. Looking after and advocating for him for many years has given her a wealth of knowledge and a true real life understanding of the world of disability, additional needs and SEMH both within families and the Education, Health and Social Care systems. Since their son has moved into independent supported living locally, it has allowed the time and dedication needed to set up Church Knowle Rural Learning to be able to help other families and children. Amelia has a real love and is inspired by the beauty of the countryside and is always keen to share the positive effect it has on your mental health and well-being. She is a keen nature, wildlife, landscape and rural life photographer. Her work has regularly been featured on the BBC, in newspapers, magazines and websites and in publications around the World via Getty Images. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with our learners and helping them learn new skills. Enhanced DBS, Level 2 and Level 3 Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment Trained, First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid trained, Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions, PACE trained and Trauma Informed Practice Qualified.
John Coffen, Founder
Kate Unwin, Senior Mentor
Amelia Coffen, Founder
John is a time-served qualified Mechanical Engineer, he has been extensively involved in design and testing on projects both in the U.K. and around the World. After moving back to the family farm in Purbeck, he set up and has run a successful landscaping business with his wife, Amelia. He has a love of machinery and is never happier than when he is tinkering with an old tractor or exhibiting them at local Steam Fairs. He also loves hill walking and looking after the local countryside. He has a wealth of practical skills, knowledge and experience that he enjoys sharing and passing on to our learners. Being the father of a severely disabled son has given him a real understanding and empathy of the obstacles faced by children and families in the world of disability, additional needs and SEMH. This has been the driving force behind the creation of Church Knowle Rural Learning, to give something back and help improve the lives and outcomes for all of the children who attend. Enhanced DBS, Level 2 Safeguarding Qualified, First Aid trained and PACE trained.
Willoughby Coffen, Founder
Watch this space for more exciting news soon!
Watch this space for more exciting news soon!
Willoughby is qualified in Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Horticulture and in Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation. Previously for years he was a Young Carer helping to look after his severely disabled older brother. This has given him a real understanding, patience and empathy for children with SEND and also the struggles that their families go through. He has several years experience of mentoring other children with additional needs. He has raised rare breed pigs and chickens and helped create a wildflower meadow locally. He has worked with the RSPB on several conservation and habitat projects and volunteered with the National Trust to build beaver dams. Willoughby also runs his own horticulture and gardening business and knows the nurturing, physical and mental health benefits that these provide and is keen to pass these skills and benefits on to our young people. His hobbies include hillwalking, music, gardening and showing his tractor at local steam fairs. Enhanced DBS, Level 2 Safeguarding Qualified, First Aid trained and PACE trained.
Watch this space for more exciting news soon!
Watch this space for more exciting news soon!
Watch this space for more exciting news soon!
