Linda Cheer is the Co-Director of Longworth Education and a passionate advocate for outdoor, play-rich learning environments. With a background as a senior leader and classroom teacher, Linda brings both practical experience and visionary thinking to her work with educators across Aotearoa.

As a former Deputy Principal at Lucknow School in Hawke’s Bay, Linda led the implementation of play-based learning from both a leadership and teaching perspective. In 2014, she founded Longworth Forest — an innovative outdoor learning programme for 5–6-year-olds centred on all-day, nature-based discovery. The programme was recognised globally in 2017 by the Finnish organisation HundrED as one of the world’s top 100 education innovations.

Linda believes that the natural world offers the richest learning opportunities for children. Her work is grounded in the belief that play, discovery, and meaningful connection with the environment foster the key competencies and wellbeing that underpin lifelong learning.

Today, Linda is involved in the strategic management of Longworth Education and provides in-class support for schools on the journey to more authentic, child-led learning.