About

Katie spent most of her childhood in the small city of Ripon. After secondary school, Katie spent 3-years at university training to be a primary school teacher. At 21, Katie moved back to North Yorkshire and started teaching her first class! As an R.E and PHSE specialist Katie enjoyed teaching philosophy and looking at global issues with the children she taught, producing lots of resources from scratch.

After a few years of teaching, Katie was given the opportunity to work as an education consultant, where she spent much of her time training and supporting teachers and completed a master's degree in Education. It was at this time when she was spending time with lots of teachers from many different schools that she realised that like her, many teachers were having to produce news-based resources, on their own, that were unlikely to be used again. Following this observation, Picture News was launched! Katie and Rob initially worked from the attic in their home, before moving into office premises in Ripon town centre.

At Picture News, Katie's roles include selecting and co-writing the weekly resources, planning and launching marketing campaigns and visiting schools for meetings and presentations. Katie has 3 young children who keep her busy when she's not in the office. When she can escape, Katie enjoys running and travelling!

Rob was raised on a farm in North Yorkshire where he's now living with his wife and three children. He is still a part-time farmer with around 100 sheep of his own – a very contrasting job to his role at Picture News! In his spare time, Rob is a keen runner, having completed several marathons, he also enjoys playing (and watching!) football whenever he can.

Rob is vital to the smooth running of Picture News, working relentlessly behind the scenes overseeing packing, finance, marketing and logistics. It's thanks to Rob, that everyone receives their poster on time each week via email and post!

Prior to Picture News' launch, Rob completed a Wildlife Biology degree at Newcastle University. After graduating, he then worked as a farm labourer moving into farm sales, where he spent 7 years in the agricultural sector, gaining experience in accounts, sales strategy and marketing. Rob is very passionate about the difference Picture News can make in schools, particularly coming from a small rural school himself, as he understands the importance and significance of challenging misconceptions, opening discussions and bringing world issues and events into the classroom and the powerful impact that this can have.

Jo started her 14-year teaching career in 2004. During her time in education, she worked in four very different schools. She soon developed a passion for creating real-life learning for the children she taught, seeing the benefits of giving children opportunities to manage their behaviour and emotions, step out of comfort zones and develop independence, resilience and respect; something she believes Picture News can do. Her role at Picture News includes writing resources, visiting schools, leading training and workshops and creating useful documents for schools. Jo loves spending time with her two children, working on the farm, where she lives, playing football for her local Ladies team and running.

Lisa gained her BSc (Hons) in Primary Education 3-7 years with QTS and began teaching in September 2007. She spent most of her teaching career in Early Years, with a brief spell in KS1. She has taught in four very different settings, giving her a wealth of experience and knowledge in the Early Years. Her role at Picture News is to write and develop the Early Years Picture News Resource, which, in the beginning, she did alongside her teaching role. The Early Years Picture News is the newest addition to our Picture News resource and Lisa is very excited to see it develop. Now Lisa's role also includes visiting schools to deliver Early Years Picture News workshops, visiting schools for meetings and gathering feedback to make our Early Years resource even better! In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her two boys and walking her dog, Bobbi.

Originally from York, Sue completed a degree in English and Philosophy at Birmingham University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Education at Chester University, before teaching for 20 years in a variety of primary schools in UK, Germany and Saudi Arabia as a senior leader. After moving to Ripon with her young family, she also gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years from York St John University. More recently, she enjoyed a challenging teaching role developing children's literacy in a school for children with learning difficulties. She is passionate about helping to give every child a voice to express their own ideas and opinions.

Her role at Picture News involves helping to write the Primary resources, present the virtual assemblies and webinars and launch the new Picture News resources into Care Homes across the UK (where possible under the current circumstances!)

In her spare time, Sue enjoys blogging, writing articles for national magazines and is in the process of completing her second novel. She also likes to cycle in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside.

Having graduated with a double-degree (Economics-Management & Computer-Information Systems) from Bina Nusantara University in Indonesia, Adhitya has been entrusted with a variety of roles and responsibilities and was also given the opportunity of managerial roles at one of the biggest worldwide aircraft MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) companies.

Adhitya is also a five star and top-rated worldwide freelancer, consultant and developer in Automation Process & Microsoft Power Platform. He has worked with a variety of clients from the US, Canada, UK, Italy, Turkey, Germany and South Africa. He was also one of the speakers at Microsoft's Indonesia DevCon annual event in 2021.

His role as a freelance IT consultant brought him to working alongside Picture News, which then led to his appointment as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the company. Adhitya's role involves designing, implementing, customising, and managing Information and Technological Systems and Platforms at Picture News. Adhitya has 2 young children but still manages to play video games in his spare time.

Ruth gained a BSc in Applied Biological Sciences leading to a career involving working in quality control, Forensics and in an NHS laboratory. She has coaching qualifications and has always been interested in helping people to develop and improve themselves and achieve their personal goals. She enjoys a challenge and trying new things, which her role at Picture News offers her! Ruth writes our mini newspaper, helps to proofread, print and pack Picture News, deals with enquiries and general office work. She loves her varied role and working in a busy office environment. Ruth also enjoys spending time exploring, baking and crafting with her family.

Weronika spent her childhood in Britain, Poland and Germany. As a result, she quickly discovered a passion for languages, travel and a curiosity about the world. After gaining her MA in German and History, Weronika's passion for travel then took her all around Europe. Finally landing in Poland, she experienced a teaching role, working with pupils of all ages, before returning to the UK.

In addition to travelling, Weronika enjoys reading, spending time with her family, exploring the Yorkshire Dales on long walks and training with her local rugby team!

As part of the admin and marketing team at Picture News, Weronika's role involves proofreading, printing, packing and providing support in administrative duties, including researching exciting news stories for our readers to enjoy! Weronika's keen interest in the current events of our world and her desire to support and contribute to the incredible work of educators makes her a valuable part of our Picture News team!

Having discovered a passion and talent for art at secondary school, Fran studied advanced art and design at Harrogate college. Alongside this, she also gained her British sign language levels 1 and 2. Shortly after, she pursued a career in hospitality. She quickly demonstrated the ability to manage a variety of pubs and cafes, gaining many qualifications such as a Diploma in Management. After recently having her two children, Fran decided to try something different and came to work for Picture News! Her role includes proof reading, printing and packaging.

Nicola spent her childhood years in a small, rural setting in North Yorkshire. She developed a love of art and music at school. She can still often be found listening and dancing to music in her home with children, Grace and Bobbie! Nicola is very much family orientated and, in her words ‘I live for my kids.' She is an incredibly caring, kind and compassionate person and alongside her role at Picture News, she continues to work with members of her community, who need help in their homes. Nicola's role at Picture News includes printing and packaging your Picture News resource.