Hi, I am Natasha Winnard.
I provide support and guidance for mobile families.
About me
I’m an International Youth Empowerment Consultant fuelled by my passion for helping as many young people as possible to thrive.
I was born, raised and educated in the UK. I moved overseas in my late twenties and have not looked back. Over 25 years of great learning, friendships and adventures. I met my husband, an international school headmaster, whilst working overseas and we have worked in international schools around the world together. In 2005 we moved to Africa with our three month old son to open Sudan’s first IB World School. We are currently living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil trying our best to raise a healthy teenager!
About me
I’m an International Youth Empowerment Consultant fuelled by my passion for helping as many young people as possible to thrive.
I was born, raised and educated in the UK. I moved overseas in my late twenties and have not looked back. Over 25 years of great learning, friendships and adventures. I met my husband, an international school headmaster, whilst working overseas and we have worked in international schools around the world together. In 2005 we moved to Africa with our three month old son to open Sudan’s first IB World School. We are currently living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil trying our best to raise a healthy teenager!
A little bit of history
In 2019 I decided to leave full time work in international schools to set up Natasha Winnard Consultancy (NWC), in order to focus on providing a holistic personalised online service to support and guide young people and their parents. I am ideally placed to offer this support and guidance having had a range of roles in British, American and IB system international schools around the world.
Professional experience
I started my career as an 11-18 year old GCSE, A-Level then IGCSE and IB humanities and social studies educator. I then moved onto being head of an academic department, IB examiner, workshop leader and textbook author, head of pastoral care and Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) child protection working group coordinator and workshop trainer. For the last nine years I have been an 11-18 year old guidance and college counsellor.
I have a current Enhanced DBS (UK) Criminal Record Check to work with young people.
Educational background
- UCL First Class Degree, BA (Hons) Geography.
- Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCE).
- Counselors Training Centre (CTC) Certificate of International School Counseling.
- Lehigh University Certificate in International Counseling.
- UCLA Extension Certificate in Counseling International Students.
- Institute of Counselling, UK Diploma in Youth Counselling.
Child Protection Credentials
I have an Enhanced DBS (UK) Criminal Check Certificate. This DBS Enhanced Criminal Check is an internationally recognised certificate that means that I am safe to work with young people.
I joined the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) Child Protection Team in 2013 as one of the international professionals who worked on the AISA Child Protection Handbook for international school teachers, administrators and board members. From 2015-17, I was appointed to the role of AISA Child Protection Working Group Coordinator. In this role, I worked with members of the AISA Team Child Protection Working Group which facilitated workshops for international school educators and administrators in Africa and with the Council of International School (CIS)’s International Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP)
During the same time, I was the person responsible for the development, implementation and review of Khartoum International Community School’s child protection policy in order to ensure that the school had in place the best international practices with regard to child protection. I was also responsible for staff and faculty Child Protection training and the K-12 (3-18 year olds) Child Protection Curriculum facilitator.
Since then I have supported the work of the Child Protection Team at Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I annually refresh and update my child protection learning through Educare online training for safeguarding young people.
Testimonials
How can I help you?
Finding it difficult to guide your teenage child in an international school? Perhaps your family has moved to a different country and you feel overwhelmed? There are many ways I can assist you.
50% of my income supports educational initiatives in Rocinha
Many of the young people in Rocinha need support to access enrichment activities outside of school hours. I am committed to finding practical ways to provide these opportunities.
About Rocinha Community
The Rocinha Community in Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s largest Favela. Many of the young people in this community can only access school for part of the day. This initiative provides a safe place for young people to access enrichment activities outside of school hours.
About Rocinha Community
The Rocinha Community in Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s largest Favela. Many of the young people in this community can only access school for part of the day. This initiative provides a safe place for young people to access enrichment activities outside of school hours.
Ongoing educational initiatives
Rocinha Creative English
The Rocinha Creative English initiative was created in 2019 to provide face to face and remote English language learning opportunities and access to creative activities for 10-15 year olds.
Creative activities include ceramics, craft, drawing, theatre and cooking classes. We also offer our 10-15 year olds an annual day to day and residential camp opportunity.
Sinal Das Crianças
In 2021 I established a strong and collaborative relationship with Sinal do Vale to provide exciting enrichment learning experiences for young people in nature. Sinal do Vale is located in the Atlantic rainforest close to Rio de Janeiro.
Building a caring and capable support network can be the difference between surviving and thriving overseas.
— Natasha Winnard