I left school without any vocation and explored a variety of careers, including the army, international banking, air traffic control and agriculture, before discovering my true passion in language education. Inspired by an opportunity to work at a language school in Spain, I developed a keen interest in teaching English and later gained the Cambridge DELTA qualification in Bournemouth.

After qualifying as a teacher and teacher trainer, I began teaching privately. With growing demand from international students, I established what became Beet Language Centre in 1979. Over the years, Beet has grown into one of the UK’s leading independent English language schools, welcoming students from around the world and earning long-standing British Council accreditation.

Today, I remain committed to the values that have guided Beet since its foundation: academic excellence, personal attention and a genuine commitment to international understanding.

I joined Beet in 1988 as a newly CELTA’d summer teacher and have pretty much been here ever since.

I became a permanent member of the BEET team in 1991 after passing the DELTA and in 1994 became Vice-Principal.

I later moved over to Marketing and then became a Director in 2001. I’m now semi-retired.

Having graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in Archaeology and Ancient History, I spent three years working in local government before realising that what I really wanted to do was teach English and see the archaeological sites of the world. So in 1998 I retrained and embarked on a little globe-trotting. By 2002 I had ticked off Peru, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Spain and started dipping my toe into academic management. At that point I decided to enhance my skills with a Diploma. Then it was off to China for four years before finally returning to settle in Bournemouth. Here I worked in a couple of start-up schools as well as two well established ones. I also took on the challenge of being a Cambridge open centre exams manager before finally welcoming the opportunity to work here at Beet

I am proud to have been part of Beet for more than 24 years, having first joined the school at just 16 years old. My journey has taken me through many areas of the organisation, quite literally from the canteen during my college years to various academic and administrative departments giving me an in depth understanding of how every part of the school contributes to the student experience.

I completed my CELTA qualification here at Beet and taught my first class at the age of 21, an experience that remains one of my fondest milestones. While I loved teaching, I soon discovered my passion for marketing and client relations, which has shaped the direction of my career ever since.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to grow both personally and professionally within the school, culminating in my recent appointment to the Board of Directors. In my role as Director and Head of Marketing & Client Relations, I am dedicated to ensuring that each student feels welcomed, supported, and able to make the most of their time with us.

You’ll still often find me at reception, assisting students with everything from daily questions to more unusual enquiries, whether it’s locating a bungee-jumping centre or helping someone find local acting classes! I genuinely enjoy connecting with people from all over the world and learning about their cultures, stories, and aspirations.
Having lived abroad myself, I understand the challenges involved in adapting to a new environment, which is why I place such importance on providing thoughtful, compassionate support. This approach is shared across our incredible team, many of whom have also lived or worked overseas, contributing to the unique spirit and warmth that define Beet.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, enjoying music, cooking, exploring our beautiful local forests and beaches, socialising with friends, and discovering great food whenever the opportunity arises.

I first joined Beet in July 2015, but I’ve working in accounting ever since leaving college. I love every aspect of my job, even the challenging parts; puzzle-solving is something I really enjoy, so this role is the perfect fit for me!

Being part of a small family-run business means I’ve the chance to get involved in lots of different areas, giving me a great overview of the school as a whole. Over the years, I’ve managed the emergency phone and completed training in student safeguarding, which I find incredibly interesting. I’ve also loved being a Beet host mother, it’s been such a rewarding experience.

As time has gone on, I’ve become increasingly involved in the day-to-day running of the school, so I was incredibly happy to be appointed to the board.

I love travelling and learning about other cultures, so I consider myself very lucky to have a career that has allowed me to do both. After completing my degree at The University of Edinburgh, I moved to Moscow and St. Petersburg and became an English teacher in an established, international school. My passion for teaching and teacher training grew, and I went on to become a Cambridge speaking assessor and a tutor on CELTA courses. In 2020, I returned to the UK to become a Director of Studies in an independent language school, before joining Beet in 2022. It is a pleasure to work in a vibrant and friendly environment which puts the student experience at the heart of everything it does.

After spending more than 20 years working in business and Human Resources roles, I fulfilled a lifetime dream by training to become a teacher, gaining my CELTA qualification through ITTC. In 2022, I was given the opportunity to become a teacher at this fabulous school, and I have loved every moment. When the opportunity came along, I took up the challenge of becoming the Accommodation and Welfare Manager where I can combine my love for our wonderful students and all the experience I acquired in my previous roles. 

I have dedicated over 30 years to teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) and continue to share my expertise with international students, both online and in person. I also speak French and German. One of my passions is playing the violin, I  perform with various orchestras and bands, and am grateful to be able to bring my love of music to a wide range of audiences. When I’m not teaching or playing the violin, i’m likely to be found enjoying the great outdoors. A keen year-round sea swimmer, I also love kayaking and playing tennis.

I am one of the newest members to the wonderful Beet team.

I studied Tourism & Events Management at Bournemouth University and graduated in the summer of 2009.

I love to travel, explore, meet new people & learn about different cultures & customs so I feel very privileged to be working in a school where I can do all of the above. Plus, working with lovely likeminded people always helps too!

Outside of Beet I run my very own Irish Dance academy which I also adore. I have been fortunate enough to have been asked to be Beet’s in-house dance teacher for our evening activities program so you will often see me jigging around in the evening with our gorgeous students!

I joined Beet Language Centre in August 2026, bringing a wealth of experience in administration, education and quality assurance. Having previously worked in an English language school and managed college admissions, she enjoys working with people from different backgrounds and helping students feel welcome and supported.

Outside of work, Sue runs her own small creative business, making jewellery and gifts from repurposed vintage materials. She also enjoys sea swimming, cycling, travelling in her campervan and spending time with her two dogs, Alfie and Barney.

I graduated from Bournemouth University in 2026 with a degree in Media and Communications. I have always had a passion for marketing and have enjoyed seeing how it can influence the way people connect with brands, places and experiences. I particularly enjoy the creative side of marketing, from creating content and telling stories to finding new ways to engage different audiences.

I have always loved travelling and learning about different cultures and ways of life. This is one of the things I enjoy most about working at Beet, as I get to be surrounded by people from all over the world and hear about their experiences and backgrounds.

I love being able to combine my interest in marketing with my passion for travel and culture at Beet. I particularly enjoy creating content that gives future students an insight into what life at Beet is really like, from the English courses and social activities to everything Bournemouth has to offer.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing squash, spending time with friends and family, exploring new places, travelling and making the most of the beach and countryside around Bournemouth.

I joined the accommodation team at Beet in May 2022 after being a Homestay host for the school. Since becoming part of the accommodation team I feel I have settled into the role and enjoy working with both Alison and Millie, as well as the other members of the Beet team. In my role I place students with our homestays families according to the students preferences, I speak to the families daily, welcome students on their arrival to the school and help with any welfare issues the students may have during their stay.
I enjoy meeting new people and learning about different cultures. I have travelled to many parts of the world whilst working on board Cruise Liners in my younger years and have met many people of different Nationalities whilst on my travels. I have kept a close friendship with many of my former work colleagues and have been lucky enough to visit a few of them in their home countries.
I enjoy keeping fit by going to the gym and swimming, and have a passion for cooking international cuisine.
I look forward to the coming years in my role at Beet and meeting many more students of different nationalities.

I have recently joined the Beet team as a part-time administrator, assisting Alison and Andrew in Accommodation and Welfare. I have a solid background in Business Administration, across different industries, and hope to bring a positive impact to the team

I was fortunate to work within the travel industry which led to me visiting many different countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Fiji and America, just to name a few. Having travelled extensively around France and Italy my husband and I have a passion for exploring new destinations, we are now looking to broaden our horizons and are excitedly planning our next road trip with our dog Winston.

I like to keep myself fit and healthy by doing weight training and practicing yoga. As a family we love to socialize and enjoy spending quality time with our friends and family.

I joined Beet in 2010 just for the summer, and loved the place and people so much, I never left! All these years later, I love taking care of the students, making the food they enjoy, and of course keeping a regular supply of thier favourite treats, all made with lots of love. Everyone is welcome along to my Friday karoake nights, and of course the summer boat parties, which are the highlight of my year!

I lead food operations at Beet Language Centre, with a clear ambition to make our catering service one of the leading food provisions in the UK’s language school sector.

Classically trained through a rigorous apprenticeship at the prestigious De Vere Dormy Hotel, historically recognised as one of the UK’s finest luxury establishments, I also hold an NVQ Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Catering. With over 25 years of culinary experience, my career has taken me from fine dining and high-volume venues in the New Forest to catering for high-profile guests and celebrities at events such as the Peter Alliss Golf Championship, as well as elite sports hospitality at AFC Bournemouth’s Stadium and Performance Centre.

My diverse cultural heritage, combining Turkish, Greek, French, Lebanese and traditional London Cockney roots, gives me a unique perspective on food and culture. I also have a strong ear for, and a good understanding of, spoken Greek. I enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds, which makes working with Beet’s international student community particularly rewarding.

As a calm, passionate manager who leads from the front, I take immense pride in my work and genuinely love what I do. My focus is on creating fresh, nutritious and delicious food from scratch, from artisan sourdough and focaccia to a varied menu of international dishes that introduce students to flavours from around the world. I want every student to enjoy an outstanding food experience that complements their time at Beet.

Outside work, I’m an avid numismatist with a passion for coin collecting. I also enjoy fishing, contact sports and, above all, spending quality time with my family.

I began teaching soon after graduating from university because I wanted to see the world. Since then, I have been fortunate to work in lots of amazing locations, including New Zealand, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, and Malaysia. I returned to BEET in 2009 and, alongside teaching students at the school, I was part of the teacher training team at ITTC from 2013 to 2020.

Originally from Bournemouth, I’m very happy to be back in what I think is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with both the New Forest and the Jurassic Coast nearby. Outside of work, I enjoy camping with my family and run an online business selling bags that I design and make.

I first started teaching English in 1982, but my career at Beet began in 2000. In my time here I’ve enjoyed teaching every course at every level. Much as I love teaching English, I’m also heavily involved in the social programme – most break times you can find me playing or coaching table tennis! During the warmer months, I also organise cricket matches, which the students love; come and & take part! Why not also join me for other Beet activities including evening lectures, TalkBeet, our weekly online chat show, Saturday excursions, and more!

After a year at the University of Caen, I moved to London and then went to Spain to do my CELTA with International House in Valencia. I have also lived and worked in Berlin, Japan, India, Australia and Bali. I ran my own import/export business and designed and produced leather accessories for 7 years after which I returned to the UK for family reasons. I have enjoyed working at Beet for the last 10 years during which I have gained the Cambridge Diploma. I particularly like teaching Business English and doing exam preparation courses and helping a wide variety of foreign students to further their careers and be able to communicate internationally.

Born in 1967, I grew up in North London in the 1970s and 80s and was really keen on sport at school and college, playing football (I’m a Spurs fan), basketball, volleyball and cricket for all the school teams. When I was 16, I moved to the south coast of England, where I practised and taught watersports. At the age of 19, I went to Portsmouth University, graduating in 1990 in German & French: History, Politics & Language. After travelling independently (by road, rail and hitch-hiking) many times in western, southern and central European countries, and then working as a teaching assistant in Senegal and Germany, and a watersports instructor in the south of France, I decided in 1991 to learn to teach English. I completed the Cambridge CELTA course at International House, Piccadilly in London, and soon took my first teaching job in Indonesia, which gave me a wonderful opportunity to travel around South-East Asia. Two years later, I was teaching general and business English in Madrid, Spain, where I stayed for two years. After short spells teaching in London and Chester, I arrived in Bournemouth in 1995, completed my Cambridge Diploma in Teaching English (DELTA), and began a thoroughly enjoyable career as a trainer with ITTC and senior teacher with Beet Language Centre. I got married here in Bournemouth, bought a house on the outskirts of the town by the River Stour, and had a beautiful daughter in 2000.

Much of my professional has been dedicated to training and developing teachers on Cambridge teacher training courses, and in addition, I have also run monthly teacher training sessions for teachers from over twenty schools in Bournemouth, and am a regular Cambridge examiner for Preliminary. First, Advanced and Business exams. When I’m not working, I love spending long evenings and weekends exploring the local countryside and coastline of the region on foot and by car, bike and kayak. Dorset has some amazing scenery and wildlife (birds, mammals and reptiles) and I’m passionate about the natural and local history available here. I try to take a driving holiday to France every year, as well as a holiday to one of my favourite destinations – Spain, the USA and Cornwall. I love to cook at home and have dinner with friends (I try to experiment with different nationality dishes), I grow my own fruit and vegetables and I watch lots of history and wildlife documentaries on the BBC whenever I can. Another thing that I spend time doing is studying languages on the Internet. At the moment, I’m using various podcasts and apps to improve my French, German, Spanish and Italian and I’ve just started trying to learn Portuguese too as my partner of two years is from Brazil. This is where I spend the long winters now! Finally, I enjoy watching films at home, particularly historical dramas and biopics – and I’m always listening to the newest and classic rock and Indie bands from the UK and the US. I just wish there was more free time in a day! I really look forward to getting to know you and helping you to improve your English during your stay at Beet.

On moving to the south coast in 1998 I began teaching EFL at local schools, gaining the CELTA a year later and the DELTA two years after that. I started working at Beet Language Centre in March 2002. I then completed a Master’s (Distinction) in Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching at the University of Southampton in 2006 before moving into management. However, my heart was always in the classroom, and these days I combine my teaching with my other passion, which is making music. Having two jobs is not so tiring when you love them both!

I started teaching English as a foreign language in Japan, where I was lucky enough to live for 4 years. I then moved to Italy and specialised in Business English working in Milan. After several years in management I am happy to be back in the classroom.

In addition to teaching at Beet, I am Head of Educational Content for an online company. I really enjoy creating material and designing courses to help students achieve their language learning goals. I now have the perfect balance of online and face-to-face teaching.

I have been an EAL teacher since 2018, having spent my previous working life teaching English Language and Literature in secondary schools. I enjoy the interaction there is between student and teacher in a language school like Beet; no day or lesson is ever the same. In my spare time I keep bees, and my colleagues have learnt to their cost that it is difficult to shut me up on this subject!

I grew up in London and having taken a degree in geography at Durham University, embarked on a year of teaching English in France. Following this I took up a career as a geography teacher in a secondary school in Hampshire. After many years there I decided it was time to return to English teaching  – I love the contact with people from all over the world – and so I began my second career here at Beet in 2009. Working at Beet has been a joy for me.
I enjoy outdoor activities and gave been kayaking regularly for many years and practice yoga to keep supple! I have also always enjoyed travelling  and and have been to many different parts of the world with many more, I still hope to visit. I have recorded a few of these in a travel blog.