Our Team
Helen Ryall
Assessment Specialist Teacher (CMT Senior Tutor)
Early Year, KS1 and KS2 Specialist
Specialises in the 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+ assessments and occasional place assessments.
My name is Helen and I am a qualified primary school teacher. I have over 30 years of experience teaching across the early years and primary age range and working with children who have a range of different learning styles and needs, including special education needs. I have specialisms in teaching phonics (to support early reading and spelling), writing and maths. I have a firm belief that practice and fluency in basic skills supports more complex learning, reasoning and mastery.
I love to teach and look forward to meeting and working with you all soon!
Maria Mazarese
Creative Minds Tutors Director
CMT Master Assessment Specialist Teacher
Early Years, KS1 and KS2 Specialist
I specialise in the 3+, 4+, 5+, 7+, 8+, 11+ and 13+ examination preparations. I also also specialise in all occasional place Assessments.
I have been an educator for over 20 years. I am truly passionate about what I do. Teaching children is always different each day and it is always a true pleasure to get to know each and every child as an individual. I qualified as a teacher 15 years ago and have a lot of experience in various educational settings. Having worked in both the private and public sector, I have a wealth of experience.
Progressing through my career, I have been able to see the challenges that face our young children each and every day. Having one to one support is something that I truly believe to be of utmost importance to all children.
In my free time I love to teach gym classes, swim, go for long walks in nature, spend time with my family, read and cook.
Nadia Almannani
Assessment Specialist Teacher (CMT Senior Tutor)
My name is Nadia and I am a qualified Primary School Teacher with over 10 years of experience in Education. I am passionate about helping children build confidence, develop a love of learning and reach their full potential.
I have taught in State and Private Schools, both in London and internationally, supporting children across the Early Years, KS1 and KS2.
I have a particular passion for phonics and early reading, believing that strong literacy skills provide the foundation for lifelong learning. I also believe in nurturing a growth mindset, encouraging children to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and become confident, independent learners.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy training in Capoeira, learning new languages, travelling, cooking, reading, spending time with my family and taking my fluffy Chow Chow dog for long walks in the park.
Emily Armstrong
Assessment Specialist Teacher (CMT Senior Tutor)
Early years, KS1 and KS2 Specialist
I specialise in the 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+ and occasional place assessments.
Hi, my name is Emily and I am a qualified primary school teacher. I have been teaching for over 10 years and have experience across all of the primary age phase. I have also worked as a Head Teacher at a Primary School.
I am extremely passionate about helping children to achieve their full potential in all areas of the curriculum. I have taught children with many different learning styles during my career and always tailor my teaching to meet the needs of the individual child.
Elizabeth Adams
Assessment Specialist Teacher (CMT Senior Tutor)
As a current Head of Biology at a leading Oxfordshire school and a former educator at Michaela Community School—the UK’s highest-performing state school—I know exactly what it takes to cultivate academic brilliance from the ground up. My teaching has been recognized at the highest levels, earning praise from Trust CEOs for its ability to captivate and inspire.
While my background includes guiding students through the highest levels of secondary education, my approach to 4+, 7+, and 11+ assessment preparation is uniquely powerful.
I reverse-engineer academic success.
By understanding the ultimate destination of a child’s educational journey, I am able to instil the precise cognitive habits, rigorous foundational skills, and confidence required to ace competitive entrance exams.
I combine the high-expectations culture of the nation’s top schools with a bespoke, engaging approach that makes young learners fall in love with the process of achievement.
Sumaya Ali
Assessment Specialist Teacher (CMT Senior Tutor)
I'm an experienced Teacher with over four years of experience supporting children aged 0–5. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education Studies and a CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Senior Leadership and Management in Early Years. With an advanced knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, I specialise in nurturing children's development during these formative years, including delivering engaging phonics sessions and supporting children as they develop the skills and confidence needed to become successful early readers.
I believe that children learn best when they feel confident, supported, and inspired, and I love finding opportunities to encourage learning through play, exploration, and everyday experiences. A 1:1 personalised approach allows children to progress at their own pace while building a strong foundation and love for future learning in order to become enthusiastic little learners.
I'm passionate about laying strong foundations for lifelong learning, helping every child develop curiosity along with a genuine love of learning in a warm, nurturing, and inspiring environment.
