Mrs Gail Ryder grew up in Malaysia, which influenced her love of the visual arts. She gained a BA in Textile Design from Loughborough University and, after a brief career in industry, Mrs Ryder continued to study for a postgraduate degree in Costume Design in the USA. Mrs Ryder has a huge passion for travel, visiting exhibitions and live theatrical performances, which has helped influence and inspire her work, as well as the pupils she teaches. Mrs Ryder has taught Art at NCS from Reception to Year 8 for more than ten years and she has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to nurture the boys' enthusiasm for the visual arts, which include ceramics, sculpture, textiles, printing and drawing.