I currently work as a partnerships manager for a national UK education charity. My work aims to contribute to the charity's mission, which is focused on reducing the disadvantage gap within the UK education sector. Before this, I worked as a business studies secondary school teacher.

My Fellowship focuses on equality, empowerment and scaffolded play that could be used as a tool to reduce the disadvantage gap in the UK education system. I want to explore why and how Estonia prioritises kindergarten and scaffolded play until age 7 rather than early years rigorous testing and I aim to explore why and how Armenia embeds chess in the school curriculum.

When I was a student I was frustrated with our education system Ð I grew up believing that I was not smart and therefore there was no point in trying in school. I learnt chess at 17 during my school lunchtime, and this changed my life. Now I have the confidence to tackle life's challenges and I feel equipped to participate effectively in life. Play empowered me to grow.

Through my Fellowship, I hope to bring back informative findings that serve as tools for reducing the disadvantage gap.