We have 10 Team Members in total. Read below for more information on each Team Member including their biography and some of their childhood favourites.
Laura McCulloch – Team Leader
Biography: I am the Team Leader with the Family Learning Team. Due to the nature of my role, I spend much of my week busy in the office, as well as being the Family Learning Worker for Greenwood Academy. Before joining the Family Learning Team in April 2020, I worked for 2 children’s charities – Children1st and NSPCC ChildLine. I am passionate about supporting children and families to create strong relationships and achieve their full potential. I currently volunteer as a MCR Mentor at Greenwood Academy as well as deliver the Building on Positive Relationships Parenting Programme across North Ayrshire. As well as working with the Family Learning Team I am also a Community Short Break Foster carer with North Ayrshire Council. When I am not working I collect anything with a unicorn on it, I enjoy going on holiday to different countries and experiencing different cultures, as well as walking and cycling.
Favourite childhood book: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 and ¾
Favourite childhood TV show: Garfield and Friends
Favourite playground game: What’s the time, Mr Wolf?
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: Caramac
Favourite childhood toy: Spirograph
Jennifer Lewis – Senior Family Learning Worker
Biography: My name is Jennifer Lewis and I am the Senior Family Learning Worker for the FLT. I support Auchenharvie Academy, St Matthew’s Academy, Stanley Primary and St Anthony’s Primary. I have enjoyed working in education for the past 12 years, 4 of them with the FLT. I have also worked closely with children with a range of ASN including autism and profound multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). I particularly enjoy supporting families with reading, outdoor learning and wellbeing. My hobbies include graphic design, Pilates, choir singing and spending time with my 2-year old cockapoo Heidi.
Favourite childhood book: The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson
Favourite childhood TV show: Sabrina The Teenage Witch
Favourite playground game: French Skipping
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: Cadbury Snowflake
Favourite childhood toy: Polly Pocket
Madeleine Miller – Clerical Officer
Biography: My name is Madeleine, and I am the Clerical Officer for the Family Learning Team. I provide clerical and administrative support to the Family Learning Team. I enjoy working in education and my role supporting the Family Learning Team!
Favourite childhood book: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Favourite childhood TV show: Bear in the Big Blue House
Favourite playground game: Family Imaginary Play
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: Milkybar White Chocolate Buttons
Favourite childhood toy: My soft toy rabbit, “Ralphie”
Carol Young – Family Learning Worker
Biography: My name is Carol Young and I am one of the Family Learning Workers within the Family Learning Team. I currently have 6 schools on my remit, namely Dreghorn PS, Elderbank PS, Lawthorn PS, St Mark’s PS, St John Ogilvie PS, and Springside PS and after the summer break I will also be supporting Castlepark PS. I have worked within North Ayrshire Council for the past 20 years. In the past I have worked within Children’s Outreach Services as the North Ayrshire Bookstart Co-ordinator and Play team. In my spare time I get involved in a local theatre group and have recently produced an adaptation of Bessie Dunlop by John Hodgart. I enjoy volunteering, and I am involved in various community work and I am also the secretary for Dalry Action Group. I am passionate about the environment and love anything that involves being outdoors. My hobbies include Tai Chi, swimming and drawing.
Favourite childhood book: The Catcher in the Rye
Favourite childhood TV show: Pipkins, The Phoenix and The Magic Carpet
Favourite playground game: What’s the Time Mr Wolf
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: Horror bag crisps (Bones, fangs and claws)
Favourite childhood toy: Bike
Orlaigh McLay – Family Learning Worker
Biography: My name is Orlaigh McLay and I am the Family Learning Worker for Glebe PS, Loudoun Montgomery PS, Annick PS, Woodlands PS and Irvine Royal Academy. Before working for North Ayrshire Council, I worked in support within the arts. This involved supporting people with a range of either mental health problems or learning disabilities/additional support needs within workshop settings such as pottery, jewellery, painting, woodwork & joinery, tool restoration and textiles. I worked as both a support worker and an artist in residence between multiple charitable organisations, as I am a trained Jeweller & Silversmith (I graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2016) and have a real passion for all things arts & crafts. I am currently in the process of renovating my second Victorian property with my husband (who is luckily a carpenter & joiner) and we have a 3 year old girl, who keeps us on our toes. We also have 2 Jack Russells who we love walking along Ayrshire beaches.
Favourite childhood book: All of the Harry Potter books!
Favourite childhood TV show: Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Favourite playground game: Hide and seek
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: Cadbury’s Dream… or a Yum Yum from The Kandy Bar!
Favourite childhood toy: Baby Born
Linda Mahood – Family Learning Worker
Biography: My name is Linda Mahood, I have been a Family Learning Worker for nearly two years, I support St Peter’s Primary, Winton Primary, Mayfield Primary and Ardrossan Academy. I previously worked within community/secure care and education, working within mainstream and ASN. I have vast experience supporting children with a variety of additional support needs, with extensive knowledge of Downs Syndrome. I can do a few MAKATON signs which can be very helpful. My most recent qualification was an HND in Additional Support with Management which I gained while working nightshift as a frontline worker during COVID. I love outdoor learning, especially fire lighting, den building and gardening clubs. I also love our Young STEM Leader programme and STEM career talks.
My hobbies are Art, Japanese silk stitch, traveling, dress making, visiting historical sights and museums, as well as socialising.
Favourite Childhood book: The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks
Favourite Childhood TV show: Art Attack, Pingu, Mork and Mindy
Favourite Childhood playground game: Doublers
Favourite Childhood retro sweet: Splicer, Spangles, Coconut Moments
Favourite Childhood toy: Cindy, BMX
Cheryl Wilson – Family Learning Worker
My name is Cheryl Wilson and I have been part of the Family Learning Team for 2 years now after teaching Primary 1 in the Middle East for 7 years. I support Garnock Community Campus, St.Bridget’s Primary, St.Palladius Primary, Gateside Primary and Ardeer Primary.
My hobbies include reading, socialising with friends and relaxing in front of the television.
Favourite childhood book: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Favourite childhood TV show: Art Attack
Favourite playground game: Hide and Seek
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: Strawberry Laces
Favourite childhood toy: Gameboy
Scott Hindmarsh – Family Learning Worker
Biography: My name is Scott Hindmarsh, I am the Family Learning Worker for the North Coast schools. I support Cumbrae, Fairlie Primary, Largs Academy, Largs Primary, Skelmorlie Primary and St. Mary’s Primary. I have been working directly with young people for the past 10 years in different roles such as sports coaching, employability skills, community development and now education. My hobbies are football, the gym, going walks with my dog and socialising with friend and family.
Favourite childhood book: ‘A series of unfortunate events’ by Lemony Snicket
Favourite childhood TV show: Pokemon
Favourite playground game: Line tig
Favourite retro chocolate bar: The ‘big’ green triangle from Quality Street
Favourite childhood toy: beyblades
Personal interest for blog: Pokemon STEM
Daniele McIntyre – Family Learning Worker
Biography: I have worked with the Family Learning Team since 2019. I support, Dykesmains PS, Caledonia PS, Dalry PS, Beith PS and Moorpark PS. Prior to working with the Family Learning Team I have worked for various agencies offering family support such as Barnardo’s and Action for Children.
In my free time I am a coach at Allstar Cheer and Dance Academy and teach children as young as 2 and the oldest being 20+.
Favourite childhood book: The famous five books.
Favourite childhood TV show: Hannah Montana
Favourite playground game: Chinese Ropes
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: Double Decker
Favourite childhood toy: Barbies – I used to like to style their hair
Shone Rae – Family Learning Worker
Biography: My name is Shona Rae and I am a Family Learning Worker with the FLT. I support Hayocks Primary, St John’s Primary, Glencairn Primary, St Winning’s Primary and Corsehill Primary. I have enjoyed working in education for 37 years, 6 of them with the FLT. I have also worked in various early years establishments. I particularly enjoy developing relationships with families and schools and supporting families with reading and outdoor learning. My hobbies include walking in our beautiful countryside, cooking and eating 😊.
Favourite childhood book: The famous 5- Enid Blyton
Favourite childhood TV show: Bagpus
Favourite playground game: hopscotch
Favourite retro sweet or chocolate bar: topic
Favourite childhood toy: Cindy and her horse
