Welcome to Cherry Trees
Nestled in the beautiful countryside of Suf
folk, our purpose-built space with indoor and outdoor classrooms is designed to meet your child’s needs where they can experience, develop and learn in a nurturing environment.
Our Cherry Trees teachers respect your child’s inner motivation to develop their own interests by ensuring that the environment is engaging. Celebrating the classroom environment our teachers have fostered, Cherry Trees teaching and learning is rated “Excellent” by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
Children develop their independence in thought and action, which will become embedded in their whole lives. Woven together with the Montessori philosophy, we plan a wide variety of topics based on seasonal themes which link to different cultures around the world, including cooking food, learning dances, dressing in traditional costumes and learning about the lives of the people who live there.
We educate young children through natural interests, activities provided with high-quality Montessori resources and a flexible approach to individualised learning all designed to give them the best start in life. We encourage them to be responsible for their own choices, by teaching them that, with freedom comes accountability.
“The human hand allows the mind to reveal itself” – Maria Montessori
The Early Years accepts 15 and 30 hour government funded sessions, alongside Childcare Vouchers or Tax-free Childcare, subject to eligibility.
Meet The Cherry Trees Team
Lucy Golland
Reception Class Teacher
BA (QTS)
Lucy Golland
Reception Class Teacher
BA (QTS)
I graduated as a qualified teacher, specialising in P.E. and Early Years. I have been teaching for 25 years in a number of different schools in the UK and 6 of those years in an international school in Thailand. During this time I travelled extensively across South East Asia.
Apart from teaching, my passion is in interior design and upcycling. I am currently embarking on an exciting new adventure, living in a caravan for a year and building a house with my partner (I’m leaving the building part to him!)
Jennie Donlon
Early Years Manager/SENco
Level 4 Montessori, Level 4 Early years, Level 3 SENDco
Jennie Donlon
Early Years Manager/SENco
Level 4 Montessori, Level 4 Early years, Level 3 SENDco
I have worked in Early Years for 17 years, undertaking my training in Montessori 15 years ago. During this time I have studied and obtained the following qualifications ;- Level 4 Montessori, Level 3 Cache Diploma in Preschool Practice, Level 2 Cache Certificate in Preschool Practice, Safeguarding, First Aid, to name a few. I enjoy the ethos of Montessori and how it promotes independence, confidence and self discovery within children.
Five years ago I was offered the opportunity to undertake further qualifications relating to Special Needs, which led to me becoming the Senco Lead these qualifications included Level 3 Role of the Senco, Good Beginnings Autistic Awareness, Cache Level 2 Awareness of Mental Health, Cache Level 2 Mental Health in Children, Cache Level 2 Working in Mental Health, PEC’s, and many others . Being both an EY practitioner in Reception and Senco instills passion, drive and commitment in myself and my work.
I enjoy learning outside of work and have recently signed up to do a Neuroscience course in Early Years.
Camelia Rus
Butterfly Room Montessori Lead Practitioner
Level 4 Montessori
Camelia Rus
Butterfly Room Montessori Lead Practitioner
Level 4 Montessori
I have been working in childcare 10 years and I have a degree in Philology (the study of languages). I am a qualified teacher and I have a level 4 Montessori qualification. Prior to working at Cherry Trees I worked in a Montessori nursery in London.
Hannah Smailes
Caterpillar Room Lead Practitioner
Level 3 Early Years
Hannah Smailes
Caterpillar Room Lead Practitioner
Level 3 Early Years
I’ve been working in Early Years since qualifying as a Level 3 in 2013. I joined the Cherry Trees Team in their Toddler Room in February 2022.
I especially enjoy watching the children engaging in new experiences and developing their relationships.
Rachel Askew
Caterpillar Room Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 Early Years
Rachel Askew
Caterpillar Room Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 Early Years
I am a level 3 qualified practitioner. I worked at Riverwalk for 2 years throughout my training prior to coming to Cherry Trees.
I enjoy arts and crafts with children. Outside school I am a member of Silver Mist Majorettes as a lead dancer, choreographing dances and taking part in competitions