Chris Brent

Principal

Chris’s role focuses the on-going development of Kings Bournemouth and meeting the varying demands of our international students. Chris works to ensure they always have the best possible staffing and educational resources to see that their time at this attractive, friendly college makes both an important and an enjoyable contribution to their careers and lives in general.

"Following modern language studies at university, my working life has been totally in English teaching and international education. After several years teaching and running schools overseas through the British Council in Portugal, Italy and Brazil, I joined Kings over 30 years ago having just completed a postgraduate degree in Applied Linguistics. In 1990, Kings Bournemouth extended its own long-established and wide range of English courses for students of all ages to include business studies and university foundation programmes."

Jackie Sharman

Registrar

Jackie is the first point of contact for enrolling students and confirms bookings and sends out all relevant documentation including Visa letters, course confirmation and invoices. Jackie works closely with agents to ensure that the process of booking a student is as smooth as possible. Once the student has arrived, Jackie also deals with day to day issues, including the changing or extension of courses and payment of college fees.

"I came to do a Summer job at Kings 14 years ago before starting college and have been here ever since! My sales and marketing background has also led me to use that experience in developing a close working relationship with UK based agents and Embassys in London. I spent the first 17 years of my life living in Germany and I have previously worked for a firm of auctioneers - printing their catalogues and working in the livestock markets - plus I’ve worked in newspapers and magazines as an Advertising Representative. I’m also qualified as a Financial Advisor and enjoy swimming, reading, gardening and local history."

Elaine Webster

Foundation Course Director

Elaine is the overall supervisor for all students enrolled on the academic Foundation Course. She works closely with a team of academic tutors who deliver the course – her specialism is Geography and she teaches that area of the programme of study. Elaine deals with day to day issues, including attendance, offers pastoral support and monitors academic progress. Elaine also guides the students through the UK university admission process.

“I joined the Kings team in August 2009 as the next step in my teaching career. Having taught for over 30 years, my teaching background has been in Geography and my pastoral responsibilities gave me a lot of contact with students in the Sixth Form.  I have had many years of experience helping students acquire the places they desired at UK Universities.  Having spent the past 20 years working in the Channel Islands, I returned to the UK recently and decided to live in Bournemouth.  It is an ideal location for my interests of walking, swimming and going to the theatre."

Arthur Reader

Finance Manager

 Arthur manages all financial aspects of the college.

"I have worked for Kings for almost 20 years and away from the college I enjoy socialising, reading, travelling and walking in the New Forest - where I now live, although I originally came from London."

Alex Doyle

Director of Studies

Part of Alex’s role is to ensure all students are in the right class for their ability and to select the best resources and teachers for each class. Alex also advises students on their learning and how best to make progress.

"I have a degree in French and Russian, the Cambridge DELTA and the English UK Diploma in ELT Management. I've taught in Portugal, Turkey, Argentina and Ukraine, and picked up some of those languages too! I've been in ELT for 14 years and at Kings for six."

Belen Sullivan

Accommodation and Welfare Officer

For 21 years Belen’s role has been to find the best possible host families for our students. She heads the team that regularly recruits new families and revisits those who have worked with us for some time to maintain the highest standards. Her department also looks after student welfare, taking care of medical, personal and even legal matters.

“Originally from Barcelona in Spain, I married an Englishman and followed him back to the UK 27 years ago, so now I’m almost more English than Spanish! My foreign background, varied secretarial and commercial office experience and facility with languages combine with my extrovert Latin personality to make me love working with people from all over the world. I like to make sure they get the most out of their stay here in Bournemouth.

"When not thinking about college work (quite difficult during the busy summer months), I relax by watching tennis (I admit to being in love with Nadal), cooking and travelling. I almost forgot; I’m also a very experienced landlady myself."

Danielle Watts

Business Development Manager

Danielle is currently involved with most areas of marketing and sales, as well as summer camps and other projects such as residential accommodation, agent relations and ensuring that Kings achieves excellent customer service standards in all areas.

"As my father (Bob Watts) used to own Kings, the colleges have been part of my life since I was a little girl. I started working here when I was about 15 and have had various jobs including teaching, summer camps organisation and management of the marketing department. I have also worked as an agent in Italy and have been a host family! I met my husband Marco Travaglia on my teacher training course and we now have two little boys who like nothing better than sword-fighting and pretending to be dinosaurs so home-life is pretty noisy. We don't really have time for hobbies although Marco is a good cook and we are trying to get fit! I studied French and Spanish at Oxford University and also speak very bad Italian. I have to admit that I'm not a natural linguist! I have travelled quite a bit with trips to Thailand, UAE, China, Hong Kong, Canada and Europe. In the next couple of years I'd like to explore more of Spain and also see more of Eastern Europe and Turkey."

David Royce

Teacher

With degrees in modern languages and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, David spent a year teaching English in Germany and then many years teaching and lecturing in German and French in British schools and colleges. As a student David did summer teaching of English in various language schools including Kings, where he has been teaching full-time for nearly twenty years. David’s specialism is English for business.

"My interests include foreign travel, music, food and wine, history and the interaction my job offers with other cultures."

Des Jones

Senior Teacher

Since joining Kings in 1997, Des has always been involved in a lot of exam classes. For the last eight years, he has specialized in preparing students for the IELTS test, in which there has been ever growing interest. Des spends most of his time developing and teaching Academic Study Skills.

"I started teaching English in Greece and lived there for nine years, running my own bar for three of those, in Katerini, a small town near Mount Olympus. After returning to England, I joined Kings and took the DELTA teaching qualification. I particularly enjoy teaching academic English and creative writing. I also like to write in my spare time and am a keen supporter of Arsenal football club."

Linda Smith

Teacher

Linda is a teacher of General English to adults and children and occasionally lectures in British History and Culture. Linda’s exam experience includes IELTS, FCE and CAE. She has also been a mentor to Hungarian and Serbian teachers who came to Kings on the YETI sponsored programme.

"I have a BA Honours degree in History from the University of Sussex, where I studied English Literature and Social Psychology on contextual courses. I also have an MA degree in Economic and Social History from Birkbeck College, London University. My professional qualifications include the PGCE of the University of London Institute of Education, which involved the study of the Sociology, Psychology and History of Education and Linguistics, and the Cert TEFL. My teaching experience ranges from sixteen years in state primary and secondary schools, where I taught English and History, to twenty-three years in English Language schools and colleges. I have also taught English on summer courses in France and Germany"

Alan Alper

Teacher

"I have worked at Kings since 1981 and enjoy teaching all levels from beginner to advanced. I’m originally from London, studied English at Birmingham University and then moved to Dorset 30 years ago. In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading and walking in the countryside where I live."

Lee-anne Verity

Academic Assistant

Lee-anne works front of house at Kings Bournemouth. She is the first person to meet and greet the students. During students' courses Lee-anne is there to help, and answers any questions about college life, lessons, Bournemouth. During the winter she also runs the student activity programe. During college time Lee-anne assists with the academic work, checking attendance, dealing with visa extensions and helping teachers.

"I worked at Kings in the summer of 2005 as an Activities Co-ordinator. I then returned in 2008 where I managed the activities for the younger students. I then became Academic Assistant, a role where I’ve been ever since. I thoroughly enjoy my work and like to do as much as I can to help make every student's stay in Bournemouth a memorable experience. Last year I trained as a holistic masseuse which I hope to study further. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, swimming, rock climbing and artwork."