Meet the staff
The quality of care and the quality of education always comes first in our school. Our dedicated and caring staff work hard for all of our students.
We will always try our best to create a place where effective learning helps you to meet your individual needs and goals.
Bob Charlton
Director
I’ve got a BSc in Management, a Trinity Cert. TESOL and I am an ex-IELTS examiner. I used to teach English and have been in EFL management for over 20 years! I’ve worked in Indonesia, Turkey, Spain, Oz and the UK. I love meditation, philosophy and cycling in Yorkshire.
Carol Hey
Student Services Manager
I have been working with international students since 2003 and have a TEFL qualification which I gained in India. I work as a volunteer for LASSN teaching refugees and asylum seekers. In my free time I like swimming, running and family time with my 3 grandkids!
Neil Stapley
Director of Studies
I’ve got a DELTA and a Trinity Tesol qualification. I’ve been teaching since 1994! Mostly in Tokyo, Japan and here in the UK. I really like collecting records, watching football, meeting people from all over the world and reading.
Rob McLean
Assistant Director of Studies
I first came to Leeds as a student, back in the distant past. Sometime after finishing my degree, I started working in the EFL world and haven’t really stopped! I have a DELTA teaching qualification and a Master’s degree in Training and Human Resource Management. I’ve worked in eleven countries, mostly in South-east Asia and the Middle East.
Emma Lusty
Online Course Director
I arrived in Leeds in 2019 after spending many years travelling and working overseas in countries including the UAE, Thailand, China, Turkey, Spain, Japan, Germany, Australia and the USA. I have been working in EFL since 2005 and enjoy meeting new students from all over the world. I like to spend my free time cooking Asian food and chilling out with my ‘fur-baby’ who is my 9 year old cat and who has also travelled the world with me!
Elisabete Brota
Student Services Support Officer
I came to Leeds from Portugal in 2015 with my family. A year later I started working at the school as an apprentice, working towards a qualification in Business Administration. In my free time I like to cook, draw, walk and paint!
Saleh Kadi
Innovation and Quality Manager
I came to Leeds in January 2016 as a student at Leeds English Language School before becoming a member of staff. In 2018, I completed MSc Information System and Information Management (distinction). Currently, I’m a PhD researcher in management. I love to chat with the students and share my experiences. In my free time, I like to travel, swim and watch movies.
Susan Chamberlain
International Admissions Officer
I’ve been working with international students both in the UK and Italy since 2000, so I also speak Italian fluently. I am from an English language teaching background and taught foreign students for 16 years before going into admissions and welfare. In my free time I enjoy many forms of crafting such as jewellery-making, dressmaking and various textile projects as well as keeping fit through pilates.
Karan Cook
Student Services Support Officer
I have a BA(Hons) in English and have worked in schools in the UK and in Thailand. After school, I also tutor maths and English. I love reading, baking and swimming and enjoy days out, exploring new places with my friends.
Ruth James
Social Activities Coordinator
I have a BA in Performing Arts. I worked with the British Army in Germany, Northern Ireland and around the UK. I enjoy spending weekends with my family exploring the local area, camping, and cooking world foods – I might ask you to share your favourite recipes!
We Are Leeds English!
Join us in the extra activities we provide! This will make your experience even better and your language will improve more quickly.
Quality teaching
Our staff are passionate and proud of the work they do to make the school the best it can be. Leeds English Language School teachers have between 5 and 20 years of experience teaching English as a second language.
Many of the teachers have a DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or a Master’s in a teaching-related field.
Joe Spooner
Teacher
I have 15 years’ experience teaching English as a foreign language and am working towards an MA in EFL (English as a Foreign Language). I am a football fan (watching and playing!) I also like playing with my kids and going for walks.
Veronica North
Teacher
I’m a Master’s qualified teacher with over 15 years’ experience in a number of countries, including Russia, Poland, Spain – and, of course, the UK! In my free time I enjoy cooking and baking, as well as various music and dance-related activities.
Rod Whittall
Teacher
I’ve got over 20 years’ experience in teaching English, a PGCE & a CELTA. I lived in Athens for 22 years so am a speaker of modern Greek.
I like playing snooker, holidays to Greece and cafe culture!
Melanie Kemeny
Teacher
I’ve always had an innate interest in languages because I’m a second generation Hungarian immigrant living in the UK. As an English teacher I really enjoy playing a part in the language learning process, as well as meeting students from all over the world. I’ve been teaching for over seven years and have taught in Hungary, Spain and the UK. In my free time I like watching films, playing the piano and taking my young daughters on day trips in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.
Richard Tempest
Teacher
I started teaching English in 1980 and have a BA in Modern Languages, Cert. TEFL and Dip. TEFLA.
I have taught in Spain, Mexico, Germany, Indonesia and China. I collect coins, take lots of photos and love swimming and music.
Sandy Cunha
Teacher
I have an MA and over 20 years’ experience in teaching English as a foreign language. I have taught English in the UK, Portugal, Spain and Brazil. I like yoga, spending time with my family and cooking.
Louise Dolling
Teacher
I began my teaching career in South Korea in 2007. I loved teaching and living abroad but decided to return to the UK in 2010. I’ve taught in schools in Cambridge and York and I decided to settle down in York where I now live. I love being outside in the countryside and exploring new places in Yorkshire. When I have time I enjoy baking and crafting.
Cass McHugh
Teacher
I’m CELTA-qualified with over 10 years’ experience in teaching English. I have a degree in English Literature and lived in Madrid for 8 years. I love films, music, books, the countryside and spending time with family and friends.
Weronika Waronska
Teacher
I’ve been teaching English since 2013 and have a BA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Most of my experience has been in the UK. I really like salsa dancing and learning Spanish as well as cooking, arts and crafts.
Peter Balloch
Teacher
I recently moved to Leeds and love it so far! I’ve been teaching for around 10 years and have a CELTA and PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages. I’ve lived in different places over the years including France, Italy and Austria. When I’m not in the classroom I enjoy hunting, fishing, cooking and am a keen oenologist.
Lewis Green
Teacher
I’ve taught English for the last five years both online and in schools. During that time I’ve been fortunate enough to teach students from all over the world. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, keeping active, cooking and working my way through every series on Netflix!
James Owens
Teacher
I have taught English for 5 years both in the UK and in Spain. I love meeting new people and hearing about their experiences. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, cooking, going to the gym and generally being active.