Elle joined Coombe House in September 2024 as Farm Manager to develop and lead the evolution of Coombe House Farm.
Elle joined Coombe House in September 2024 as Farm Manager to develop and lead the evolution of Coombe House Farm.
Elle joined Coombe House in September 2024 as Farm Manager to develop and lead the evolution of Coombe House Farm. With a background in animal management, conservation, education and public engagement, she is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow and thrive through meaningful experiences in nature.
Prior to joining Coombe House, Elle spent over four years at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, where she played a key role in the rescue, rehabilitation and ongoing care of primates from across the world. During her time there, she helped raise awareness of animal welfare and conservation through educational outreach, public engagement and media opportunities. Elle also featured in the popular television series Monkey Life on Sky Nature, helping to share the stories of rescued primates and the important work involved in their care and rehabilitation.
Since joining the Coombe House, Elle has led the continued development of the farm as a thriving educational and therapeutic environment. Overseeing animal care, horticulture, environmental projects and outdoor learning opportunities, she is committed to creating experiences that help pupils build confidence, develop practical life skills and connect with the natural world.
Outside of work, Elle enjoys making the most of Dorset’s beautiful countryside and coastline. Whether hiking coastal paths, paddle boarding along the shore, or exploring beneath the waves while snorkelling, she loves spending time outdoors and connecting with nature.
Emma studied Early Childhood Studies at university, concentrating on the connections between flora and fauna and their impact on children’s mental and physical well-being.
Emma studied Early Childhood Studies at university, concentrating on the connections between flora and fauna and their impact on children’s mental and physical well-being.
Previously, she worked at a year-round Forest School Nursery, where she collaborated with Forest School Leads to create a holistic, child-centred nurturing environment for children aged 18 months to 11 years. In this role, Emma got to witness firsthand the transformative power of nature in enhancing children’s creativity, resilience, compassion, and valuable life skills.
Emma grew up on a small livestock holding, so from a young age, caring for a diverse array of animals, which instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility and empathy towards living creatures. She even bottle-fed her cat Binks when he was only a 2-week-old kitten. Although among all the animals she cares for, goats have a special place in Emma’s heart. Their playful nature, curiosity, and distinct personalities never fail to bring joy to any day.
In her free time, Emma enjoys searching for and identifying various species of fungi in local Woodlands. Currently, she is captivated by the world of natural beekeeping and am immersing herself in literature on sustainable practices to support bee populations.
Danielle joined Coombe House in July 2025, bringing with her a varied background in farming and animal care.
Danielle joined Coombe House in July 2025, bringing with her a varied background in farming and animal care.
Before joining, she worked in a management role on a local organic sheep dairy, gaining extensive practical experience in livestock husbandry and the day-to-day demands of a working farm.
Danielle and her family also run their own flock of sheep, giving her hands-on experience across all aspects of sheep keeping, from lambing and routine husbandry to managing the flock throughout the seasons. Her involvement with animals began much earlier in life, including riding racehorses and carriage driving when she was younger, and animals and the countryside have remained a big part of her life ever since.
Alongside her agricultural experience, Danielle brings a strong personal understanding of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through her experiences as a parent. She is also Chair of the PTFA at her children’s local primary school, giving her further experience of working alongside schools, families and the wider school community.
Danielle particularly enjoys being able to combine her farming knowledge with her understanding of SEND at Coombe House School. She believes the farm can offer pupils opportunities that are sometimes difficult to recreate in a classroom, allowing them to learn through practical experiences, develop confidence and responsibility, and discover interests and abilities they may not have realised they had.
Outside of work, Danielle is usually still surrounded by animals and the outdoors, spending much of her time with her family, looking after their sheep, gardening and finding another outdoor project to get stuck into.
Elle has worked with children and animals for over 20 years, specialising in using animals and nature to foster growth and learning for young people with additional needs.
Elle has worked with children and animals for over 20 years, specialising in using animals and nature to foster growth and learning for young people with additional needs.
She has managed farms in the UK and USA working with a broad range of animals from guinea pigs to draft horses.
As a qualified teacher, Elle previously worked as the SEND lead within a mainstream school, supporting learners to gain valuable qualifications. Subsequently, Elle established her own organisation – The Natural Learning and Growth Partnership to support schools, charities and businesses, to access the outdoors and develop programmes to support those in need.
Elle joined Coombe House in March 2026 and her role sees her supporting the operations of the school farm to ensure the environment and animals are best placed to be accessed by the pupils.
