Samantha Sweetman Consultant

About Me

I am an experienced primary educator with a strong academic background and a deep commitment to rethinking how we approach childhood and learning in schools.

My journey in education began with a passion for child development, which has shaped both my classroom practice and leadership work over the past decade. I have taught across Key Stage 2, led Science at a whole-school level, and supported colleagues through curriculum development, inspection readiness, and pedagogical change. These experiences have given me a grounded and realistic understanding of the challenges facing classrooms today.

A central focus of my work has been inclusive education and a deep exploration of the barriers children face in modern schooling. As both a parent and a teacher, I became increasingly interested in the impact of technology on children’s development. Through research and engagement with current literature, I began to draw clear connections between the challenges educators are experiencing and the growing influence of technology (particularly social media) on children’s language, attention, wellbeing, and learning.

This work led me to develop Rethinking Technology: Reclaiming Childhood, an initiative aimed at supporting schools, educators, parents, and children to better understand and respond to these issues. I have also adapted this work for social workers and foster carers, enabling them to reflect on the role of technology in emotional regulation, attachment, and care practice. My passion is to help build a community approach that protects curiosity, language development, and childhood itself, while still recognising the realities of modern education.

My CPD offer is rooted in research, classroom experience, and reflective practice. I design professional learning that is thoughtful, practical, and grounded in the day-to-day realities of school life.

Alongside this, I am also passionate about supporting schools to use technology effectively where it genuinely adds value. With the number of children with SEND growing rapidly, it is vital that teachers are equipped with practical, manageable strategies to provide high-quality, adaptive teaching. I offer workshops that support inclusive practice in ways that reduce teacher workload while strengthening teacher-led support for every pupil.

Ultimately, my work is driven by a commitment to helping schools create learning environments where all children can thrive.