Meet the staff

We are Leeds English. We are independent. We are not a big corporation or chain.
Bob, Carol and Neil are not your typical managers hiding in an office!
Our staff are passionate and proud of the work they do to make the school the best it can be.

“The staff have good knowledge of the local community and area and are able to help the students with a wide range of issues, many well beyond normal welfare queries”

– British Council report, 2017

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.

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!

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.

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.

Saleh Kadi

Arabic Advisor

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.

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!

Ellie Geary

Marketing Officer

I’ve been working in student services since 2014 and I have a BA in Fine Art. My hobbies include woodworking, cycling, growing plants and exploring Yorkshire.

Antonia O'Sullivan

Teacher

Hi, I’m Antonia. I’ve been teaching English for 14 years and have recently finished an MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). I worked in Africa, Asia and Europe before deciding to settling down here in the UK. I love being back in the UK and spend most of my free time cooking or walking my dog 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.

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.

Gareth Jones

Teacher

I have 11 and a half years’ experience teaching English as a foreign language, a BA & an MA in English Literature. I’ve taught in Hong Kong, Taiwan, France & Italy. I like swimming, cooking and walking.

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 Whittal

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!