Chris is a former head of Geography and assistant head of 6th form at a large high school in Suffolk. He has taught Geography in both the private and state sector for over 15 years. He established the Geography Fieldwork Academy in 2017 with the ambition of providing affordable and high quality fieldwork.

Chris is the head tutor at GFA Southwold and has overseen the development of all of our courses, resources and local relationships with each of our partners within and beyond the town.

Chris is an Ordnance Survey Champion and works to encourage youngsters to engage with and embrace the outdoors.

Chris is First Aid trained and is a registered CAA drone operator. He is also a traditional willow weaver in his spare time!

As a former Southwold rugby player, Anna contributes creativity, ambition and considerable drive to our team. 

Having began her teaching career in Suffolk, her passion for the natural environment and conservation led to a variety of internationally based roles connected to both responsible tourism and environmental education. Having settled in Zambia, Anna returned to the classroom to teach the International Geography curriculum at IGCSE, AS and A-level. Anna went on to establish the hugely successful Forest Explorers Zambia - an outdoor education facility, providing a unique learning experience for youngsters, focusing on developing practical skills and inquisitive minds.

She has recently moved back to Southwold with her family and as one of our lead tutors Anna is able to combine her two passions, teaching Geographical skills and working in the outdoors.

Anna is First Aid trained and is a registered CAA drone operator.

Syd is our expert local geographer, from a long-standing Southwold family of shopkeepers and independent businesses, his insight into the local community and the challenges it faces are second to none!

Syd is a first-class honours graduate in Geography and completed his own dissertation on coastal erosion and coastal management, honing his GIS and drone flying skills in the process.

Syd is a lead tutor at GFA Southwold and knows the beach and town as well as anyone! He also works as a community engagement officer at Southwold's Old Hospital Hub.

Syd is First Aid trained and is a registered CAA drone operator.

GFA South-East is led by Emily Brickell, who has over 10 years experience teaching Geography in the UK. She has taught both GCSE and A-level Geography in a range of schools within the South-East region and has led field courses extensively across London, Sussex and Kent. She is a qualified and experienced SENDCO, with expertise in adaptive teaching to meet the diverse needs of young people.

Emily has previously worked for environment and development charities, including WWF and the Overseas Development Institute. Her work focused on influencing UK, EU and global policy decisions, including at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and working with partner organisations in South America, Africa and South-East Asia to protect the environment and alleviate poverty.

Emily is a born and bred Londoner who has lived and worked in London and the South-East for most of her life. She has a love of the outdoors and spends much of her time escaping London in her campervan, often to park up at one of her favourite spots along the South Downs and the Sussex coast.

Emily is First Aid trained. She is also a qualified Forest School Leader.