Meet the team
Meet the people who make SEERIH what it is.
Eleanor Atkinson
SEERIH Consultant: Eleanor has a wealth of experience in primary science education, teaching science for 16 years across mainstream and SEND schools. In 2015 Eleanor was awarded a Primary Science Teaching Award and became a lifelong Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust. She is also an Explorify Champion, an assessor and Hub Leader for the Primary Science Quality Mark, and co-ordinates a PSTT cluster of schools.
Professor Lynne Bianchi
Director of SEERIH: Lynne specialises in science and engineering education, with a specialism in the primary phase and student-led learning. She became Director of the SEERIH in 2014. She has a well-established profile in the areas of teaching, learning and assessment of school science and engineering, and cascades learning by working with in-service teachers.
Liya Broadbent
SEERIH Specialist Business Officer: Liya was seconded to the team in September 2025 with a background in archaeology and heritage, projects, and administration.
Kate Dodgson
Freelance: Kate has a background in teaching Design and Technology, Construction, and Engineering. As a visiting researcher at The University of Manchester, she focuses on helping schools embed high-quality STEM education through hands-on, student-led learning.
Ella Evans
Ella joined the team in September 2025 after completing her integrated Master's degree in Environmental Science at The University of Manchester. She brings a background in teaching support and has been actively involved in a range of science-communication projects. Ella is passionate about inspiring others through STEM outreach, and this role enables her to continue developing her skills in engagement and project coordination.
Nicola Fletcher
SEERIH Specialist Officer: Nicola has 18 years of teaching experience across both the primary and secondary sectors. She worked as an analytical chemist, before studying a PGCE. She helped her school to achieve the Primary Science Quality Mark and took part in SEERIH networks and campaigns, before joining the team in 2024.
Kate Goodley
SEERIH Specialist Business Officer: Kate joined the team in 2020 with a background in primary school and higher education administration, and became Business Officer in 2023.
Frances Hunt
SEERIH Specialist Officer: Frances has 18 years of primary school teaching experience and was science lead for 16 years. Her degree is in Psychology and she trained as a teacher via the PGCE route specialising in Primary Education. She joined SEERIH as Specialist Officer in 2024.
Grace Marson
SEERIH Specialist Lead: Grace has had roles in the youth and charity sector, leading projects including working with young carers, young offenders and multi-agency collaboration. Grace joined SEERIH to deliver subject leader networks and the ECT Mentoring Programme. As SEERIH’s Specialist Lead, Grace has the opportunity to bring together her strategic and pedagogic expertise and share her passion for teacher development and STEM.
Kate Sutton
SEERIH Specialist Officer: Kate is a Primary Science Specialist and has been a primary teacher since 2013. Kate has been involved in SEERIH opportunities previously with her school- including ‘Developing to be an Engineer’, and is delighted to now work here. Kate is also a PSQM Hub Lead for Yorkshire and the Humber, Chair Elect of the National ASE Primary Committee and an advisory member of the Children Challenging Industry Advisory Board for Yorkshire and the Humber.
David Xu
SEERIH Programme Administrator: David joined the team in 2023 after completing a Master’s degree in Mathematics with a background in data analysis and tutoring.