Our Team
Meet Our Team of Native British Teachers
for IGCSE & GCSE curriculum
Meet our team of passionate and experienced native British teachers who specialize in helping students achieve their learning goals. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality education that prepares students for success in IGCSE & GCSE curriculum.
Rob Commons
Academic Consultant
Rob Commons
Academic Consultant
Rob is an accomplished educational leader dedicated to transforming schools and nurturing a culture of excellence in education. With extensive experience in education leadership, management, and international school development, Rob consistently drives positive change and achieves remarkable results. In his most recent role as the Executive Principal at Uptown International School in Dubai, UAE, Rob has a proven track record of elevating educational institutions to new heights. Rob’s visionary leadership at Uptown International School resulted in the school achieving its highest-ever inspection ratings. Rob’s commitment to excellence is further exemplified by his qualifications, which include a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership & Management from the University of Buckingham and a Bachelor of Education (2:1 Hons) in Physical Education from Sheffield Hallam University. Throughout his career, Rob has held key leadership roles, including Vice Principal and Head of School. His leadership at Al Yasmina School, Abu Dhabi, involved strategic planning, curriculum development, and overseeing the successful launch of new grade levels. As the Head of School at Dubai International Academy, UAE, he guided the school through multiple “New School” inspections, achieving the highest ratings. Rob’s commitment to education and his ability to inspire positive change make him a valuable asset to any educational institution.
Philippa Ronan
Academic Head
Philippa Ronan
Academic Head
Philippa has a BA (Hons) in English and American Literature and an M.A in creative writing. She is an associate lecturer at the University of Cambridge. A former English teacher and Vice Principal, Philippa has led school inspections for the MOE in the UAE and Ofsted in the UK. She has worked for many years with Cambridge International, AQA and Edexcel examination boards and is an approved consultant for The Office of Qualifications and Exams Regulation (Ofqual) in England. She is also an academic author.
Beverley Cook
Subject Lead- Science
Beverley Cook
Subject Lead- Science
Beverley Cook is a highly experienced education professional with a successful track record in both the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. She has held a variety of leadership roles, including Principal, Vice Principal and Head Teacher. Beverley has experience of carrying out school inspections and improve school performance, as well as extensive experience with curriculum development and assessment, particularly in the field of science. She holds a BSc in Biological Sciences from Bath Spa University, a PGCE in Science Education from Bristol University and an PGCIE from Warwick University. Beverley has experience in working with examination boards such as Cambridge International, AQA and Edexcel and also has experience in accreditation processes.
Richard Tyson
Subject Lead- Mathematics
Richard Tyson
Subject Lead- Mathematics
Richard graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BSc (hons) degree in physics and later completed his teacher training (PGCE) from Edge Hill University. He is a highly motivated physics educator, having taught his subject to all key stages and has been responsible for the coordination of KS3 Physics, including creating assessments and processing data. As a passionate leader, Richard has been responsible for driving improvement in schools through writing, developing and implementing rigorous and engaging schemes of work that challenge and stretch students’ knowledge and interests.
Francesca Allmark
Subject Lead- Mathematics
Francesca Allmark
Subject Lead- Mathematics
Francesca Allmark is an experienced mathematics teacher with expertise in a range of mathematical specialisms. She obtained her Maths MMath/MSc degree with First Class Honours from the University of Sheffield in the UK, where she excelled in advanced differential equations, functional analysis, and probability modelling, achieving a high First average and peaking at a 97% score in Rings & Groups. Francesca has extensive hands-on experience in identifying and adapting to students' needs, developing curriculum, and providing student support. She has taught students of all ages and levels, from KS1-5 to GCSE & IGCSE, A Level, Functional Skills E3 & L1, IB DP, CP & MYP, and SAT (US Entrance exam). Francesca's approachable teaching style and expertise in number theory, advanced calculus, and graph theory are supported by her skills in curriculum development and student support.
Dr Michael Omakobia
Subject Lead- Mathematics
Dr Michael Omakobia
Subject Lead- Mathematics
Dr Omakobia is a graduate of Oxford University and has a PhD in immunology from the University of Wales. He has taught in secondary schools in Oxford and London and is an IGCSE examiner with Cambridge International. He is a dynamic and patient teacher who enjoys making science and maths easier and more comprehensible. In his spare time, Dr Omakobia is a keen sprinter.
Carolyn Grounsell
Subject Lead- Economics & Business Studies
Carolyn Grounsell
Subject Lead- Economics & Business Studies
Carolyn graduated from the University of Newcastle, having studied Business and Information Technology as well as a PGCE qualification, training and development and assessor awards. Carolyn is a trained international inspector, a highly successful school leader and teacher with a broad range of skills from Early years through to Further and Higher Education. Her work has taken her across the UK and the Middle-East, where she managed the development, growth, and implementation of learning systems across the UAE, driving education standards and quality improvement.
Dr. Andrew Smith
Subject Lead - Chemistry
Dr. Andrew Smith
Subject Lead - Chemistry
Dr Andrew Smith is an accomplished educator who has made significant contributions to the field of chemistry. He obtained his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Cardiff University UK and BSc (hons) degree in Chemistry from the University of Manchester before pursuing his passion for teaching by completing his teacher training (PGCE) at the prestigious Durham University.
Andrew possesses a strong drive and passion for chemistry education. With extensive experience teaching students across all key stages, he has honed his expertise in delivering engaging and comprehensive lessons that captivate students' interest and foster a deep understanding of the subject matter. Andrew's dedication to his students' success is evident in his ability to design and implement rigorous schemes of work that challenge and stretch their knowledge and skills.
As a leader in his field, Andrew has taken on various roles that have allowed him to drive improvement within schools. He has served as the coordinator for KS3 Chemistry, where he has successfully developed and implemented innovative teaching methods, assessment strategies, and data analysis techniques. By leveraging his expertise, Andrew has been instrumental in enhancing the learning experience for students and ensuring their academic progress in chemistry
Frank Page
Chief Marketing Strategist
Frank Page
Chief Marketing Strategist
Frank Page is an experienced Marketing and Advertising professional with a proven track record of success in a variety of industries, including financial services, professional services, FMCG, IT, education, telecommunications, and membership organizations. With a keen ability to work alongside top-level management in global businesses, he has garnered buy-in across the board for programs that facilitate change. As a senior internal communications and marketing professional, he has consistently delivered results through top-level strategic thinking and operational excellence across all media channels.
Frank's expertise lies in Digital marketing, marketing campaigns, copy writing for magazines and web sites, email marketing, thought leadership, and speech writing. He also excels in re-engineering employee communication, developing analysis, strategy, framework, delivery, setting up new functions, recruitment/development of virtual teams, measurement/benchmarking. Additionally, he has experience in change communication, including merger and acquisition, new business strategy, brand rollout, corporate values, re-organization, workforce reduction, crisis management, employee engagement, leadership communication, middle management engagement, tools and training, HR communication, team leadership, and mentoring.
Frank's work experience is vast and includes his current role as Senior Communications Specialist/Experienced Writer, working on a contract basis with a range of clients, including BUPA, SKY, O2, SEB Merchant Banking, Pearson, and Heineken. Prior to this, he served as Director of Client Engagement and Marketing at Good Growth Limited, where he was responsible for project delivery for three of the consultancy's workstreams and developed and delivered a bespoke training course on writing effective sales copy. Before that, he was the Founding Director of WPB Creative, an agency delivering strategic insight and effective brand communications across all media. He began his career as an Editor at United Distillers, responsible for delivering the company's internal communications strategy to 10,000 employees worldwide.
Frank holds a BA (Honours) in Politics from the University of Hull and has developed a reputation as an expert in his field, consistently delivering multiple on and off-line engagement programs across different business functions, cultures, sites, and countries while launching new change initiatives or getting the best value out of existing structures. With his wealth of experience and expertise, Frank is an invaluable asset to any organization looking to elevate their marketing and communications strategies to the next level.
Alisha East
Subject Lead- English
Alisha East
Subject Lead- English
Alisha East graduated from King’s College London with a BA (Hons) in English and Communication and then later completed her teacher training (PGCE) at Edge Hill University. Alisha has taught English as a first and second language in many countries, such as: India, Russia, Italy, Estonia, Hong Kong, the UK, and the UAE. Alisha is passionate about her subject and has taught English to all key stages. As a middle-leader, Alisha has been responsible for the coordination of the KS5 English Language A level, including designing an enriching and rigorous curriculum, creating assessments, and driving educational standards. Alisha has experience in all IGCSE exam boards and has been an examiner in the UK.