Meet our team

Dedicated support

We have a large team of dedicated people all driven by their desire to support and assist our homeschooling students to the full. From Admissions staff helping families understand our courses and assisting them make the right subject selections to our team of Student Progress Managers who support students throughout their homeschooling journey.

We also have a large team of staff who are responsible for monitoring, developing and improving the courses we provide.

You can meet all our team members below or visit our Tutors page to see our team of highly qualified and experienced Tutors.

How homeschooling works SPM support

Joy-Anna explains the role of the SPM.

Homeschooling College Heads

Principal

Gavin McLean

Gavin has a MA Double First Class Honours in English and History from the University of Aberdeen. He joins Wolsey Hall from Hudson Global Scholars, a renowned provider of online and distance learning solutions for schools worldwide. With a distinguished career in the field of international education, Gavin’s journey began as a publisher for notable companies, including Macmillan. Subsequently, he assumed the role of spearheading international business development at National Geographic Learning. Later, his career evolved towards the realm of online education, with key roles at Edmentum and, most recently, Hudson Global Scholars. He is a passionate advocate for online education and joins Wolsey Hall Oxford with a wealth of experience and a commitment to academic excellence. He brings a unique blend of leadership, educational innovation, and a profound understanding of the evolving landscape of online learning.

Head of Primary

Christine Armstrong

Christine has over 18 years’ experience in Primary education, and has held both teaching and leadership posts in the UK, and internationally. Before joining Wolsey Hall, Christine was the Primary Headteacher of a British International school in Bangkok. As a qualified teacher Christine puts the needs of students at the heart of her decision-making and is passionate about developing the whole child: academic development, social development and personal development. Christine holds a MBA from Oxford Brookes University, and is a trained school inspector. During the early wave of the pandemic Christine was responsible for implementing online learning in Primary, and as well as the challenges this presented, she could also see the value and freedom this brought to children’s learning. Christine is thrilled to be part of Wolsey Hall, and is constantly seeking opportunities to further develop the homeschooling experience in the Primary phase. When not working, Christine is busy with her two teenage children, and is enjoying reconnecting with, and exploring her home town of Oxford. She enjoys cooking, writing and the theatre. Having spent many years in the Far East, Christine has an appreciation of Chinese culture, in particular.

Head of Secondary

Ruth Young

Ruth has a BA Joint Honours in English Literature and French, with additional qualifications in Spanish and Italian, and a PGCE from the University of Leeds. She is also a trained British School Overseas inspector and COBIS Peer Accreditor. Before joining Wolsey Hall, she worked in Secondary schools in North and West Yorkshire in a variety of roles including Head of French and Advanced Skills Teacher, supporting other teachers and schools in the region with delivery of their MFL curriculum. She moved overseas to Cairo and worked as Head of MFL and Assistant Headteacher of Upper School in an UK curriculum international school. This led to becoming Secondary Principal at a British International School in Thailand until a move to rural France. Ruth is committed to providing engaging and inspiring courses and outstanding support for Wolsey Hall homeschooling students, ensuring that they are able to achieve their goals and develop a passion for learning. In France, Ruth enjoys long, peaceful countryside walks with her husband, daughter and dogs as well as trying her hand at French cooking when she is not helping renovate their house.

Admissions

Schools Admissions and Partnership Manager

Christina Hitchcock

Christina has travelled extensively throughout her international career in education and during her university studies.

Senior Admissions Advisor – Primary and Lower Secondary

Tamara Onslow

Tamara very much enjoys talking to students and their families who are considering joining Wolsey Hall Oxford.

Senior Admissions Officer – A level

Amber Hussain

Amber specialises in A Level admissions, helping students to understand the different A Level course options available to them.

Senior Admissions Officer – IGCSE

Jessie Sim

Jessie specialises in IGCSE admissions, helping students choose subjects that are relevant for their future goals.

Admissions Officer – Secondary

Julianna Fatimaharan

Julianna specialises in Secondary Admissions, helping students to choose courses to support their goals and future plans.

Admissions Officer – Primary and Lower Secondary

Nyssa Haines

Nyssa specialises in Primary and Lower Secondary Admissions. She enjoys helping families choose the right pathway for an exciting and successful journey.

Admissions Officer – Secondary

Lucy Nicholson

Lucy specialises in IGCSE Admissions, helping students to choose IGCSE courses to support their goals and future plans.

Student Progress Managers

Charlotte English Secondary SPM manager

Manager of Secondary Student Support

Charlotte English

Charlotte graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in Education Studies.

Michaela Pignotti manager of secondary student support

Manager of Secondary Student Support

Michaela Pignotti

Michaela enjoys managing a large team of outstanding Student Progress Managers.

Manager of Primary Student Support

Charlotte Casey

Charlotte home-schooled her own children for five years and is passionate about individual learning programmes as a result.

Erica Abi-Karam

Erica enjoys supporting students and their families to succeed in their independent learning and education.

Katie Ball

Katie Ball

Katie loves to get to know the young people she works with and is committed to enabling them to reach their full potential.

Deputy Manager of Student Support

Liane Beech

Liane enjoys working in education with students from different continents and cultures.

Dani Boucher

Having taught children and trained teachers, Dani now enjoys supporting families around the world to enjoy their homeschooling journeys.

Tara Brooks

Tara is passionate about supporting families from around the world with their homeschooling journey.

Kristina Brown

Supporting families and students on their homeschooling journey is the most rewarding feeling.

Helena Cantone

Helena finds supporting students’ confidence and seeing them achieve to be greatly rewarding.

Vicky Cumming

Vicky really enjoys working for Wolsey Hall because the work is so varied and each day is very different.

Jackie Cunningham

Jackie enjoys supporting students as they grow in confidence with their homeschooling, becoming independent learners.

Nikki Dallaway

Nikki enjoys supporting her Wolsey Hall families who are based all over the globe!

Daisy Datson

Daisy loves working with families around the world, supporting children to reach their educational goals.

Laura Devanny

Working as an SPM enables Laura to support her students worldwide in realising their potential.

Pat Edwards

My focus is ensuring that my students are successful in their studies.

Deputy Manager of Student Support

Lucy Ford

Lucy has worked for the charity and educational sectors for many years.

Jackie Francis

As a qualified teacher, Jackie brings 30 years of experience in education to the role.

Juliet Franks

Juliet has worked for almost 20 years in student mentoring and management roles in education.

Angela Goozee

Angela believes education is the foundation for personal development and is passionate about supporting others.

Emma Goulart

Emma’s studies at Cambridge and Harvard fuelled a passion to help students achieve their best.

Deputy Manager of Student Support

Emma Gowans

Emma is proud to support all families at Wolsey Hall achieve their homeschooling goals.

Joanna Hambridge

Joanna’s role as an examiner sparked her interest in supporting students in the SPM role.

Cathe Heron

Cathe enjoys meeting and working with families from all over the world.

Laura Hobley

Laura enjoys using her experience in home education to help other families succeed in their homeschool journey.

Cris House

Cris worked in universities and museums helping to inspire creativity and confidence in young learners.

Jules Kennedy

A highly experienced teacher and school leader, Jules now enjoys supporting students around the world.

Claudia Lambert

Claudia’s teaching experience enables her to thoroughly support students as they progress in their studies.

Ursula Mallows

Ursula loves working in a vibrant community and supporting students to reach their goals.

Naouele McHugh

Naouele has worked as a Primary teacher and enjoys seeing children flourish while homeschooling.

Deputy Manager of Student Support

Clare Middleton

Clare worked as a teacher during the pandemic where she began to appreciate how positive online learning can be.

Villy Mitchell

Holding a Montessori Diploma and having homeschooled her own children, Villy relishes her SPM role.

Deputy Manager of Primary Student Support

Mandy O’Sullivan

Mandy believes it is a privilege helping students to gain confidence and take ownership of their own learning.

Suzanne Parry

Suzanne enjoys meeting students from all around the world and encouraging them through their studies.

Francesca Provenzano

Francesca loves meeting new people and experiencing different cultures as an SPM.

Sufia Rashid

Sufia enjoys working alongside families from all over the world.

Victoria Stanway

Victoria’s experience working for a youth arts charity developed her interest in supporting students’ learning.

Emma Tanaka

Emma is passionate about wellbeing and helping others, and understands the challenges faced with home-learning.

Jane Thomas

Jane has an extensive and varied career working with young people, adults, and families.

Wendy Thomson

As an SPM Wendy enjoys making a positive impact on students’ education journeys and experiences.

Natalie Tighe

Natalie is passionate about helping students reach their potential whatever their goals might be.

Annabel Walker

Annabel relishes the opportunity to help students become more confident and independent in their learning.

Jeannette Walker

Jeannette understands the challenges students can face and enjoys seeing them achieve their academic goals.

Rachel Wells

Rachel enjoyed homeschooling her own daughter which has given her a strong interest in education.

Claire Westlake

Claire is passionate about ensuring children’s wellbeing through learning to lead to individual success.

Deputy Manager of Student Support

Kerry White

Kerry loves supporting her Wolsey Hall families with their unique homeschooling adventure.

Melanie Wright

With experience in education and homeschooling, Melanie enjoys helping families succeed in their homeschool journey.

Rebecca Wright

Rebecca has worked in education for many years and really enjoys supporting homeschooling families.

Support

Student Well-Being Manager and Safeguarding Lead

Deja Pygott

Deja is the Wolsey Hall Lead Safeguarding Officer and Well-being Manager. She is responsible for ensuring that we provide a safe and supportive learning environment and promotes the positive mental and social well-being of students who study with Wolsey Hall. Deja graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Primary Education, during which her studies took her to England. After falling in love with the country, Deja began teaching in a school in West Sussex. Since this time she has taught and supported pupils with complex needs in a therapeutic community, served as head of a centre supporting social communication needs and worked as a manager in a Secondary school as the teacher in charge of Learning Support. Deja is passionate about keeping pupils safe and promoting their well-being to enable them to get the most out of their studies. Deja lives in Northampton with her partner and loves going to see live music, attending vintage festivals and events and walking.

University Services

University Adviser

Sarah Wilson

Sarah oversees the UK and International University Advice Services at Wolsey Hall Oxford.

Supervisors of Courses

A level

Rachel Waring

Rachel studied English Language and Literature at Oxford University and has a Certificate in Further Education teaching. She has been teaching A level English for over 12 years. Her work in education has given her varied experience of both the pastoral and the academic. She has worked as a Learning Support Tutor, Student Services Officer and Course Leader in Further Education; a Residential Warden in an international boarding school; an A level Examiner; and Head of English and Faculty Leader in an independent sixth form college. She lives in Oxford and when she is not working she loves reading, writing and restoring old furniture. She is studying for a Diploma in Interior Design in her free time.

Supervisor of courses Nicky Waring

A level

Nicky Waring

At University Nicky opted for a joint degree in Geography and Computer Science. Having gained a first class BA (Joint Honours), she remained at Keele University and completed a PGCE in Geography and Mathematics. For the last 26 years, she has taught Secondary (Key Stage 3), GCSE, and A level Geography. During this time, Nicky also taught Secondary Level Mathematics, Information Technology and Computing. During her spare time, Nicky is passionate about horse riding. She owns two horses and competes regularly. She is particularly proud to have competed in British Show Jumping’s National Amateur Finals on two occasions and to have competed at Hickstead. Nicky also enjoys trampolining, skiing, shooting, fell walking and rock climbing.

IGCSE

Jane Marshall

Jane achieved a First Class Honours in Applied Physics, and then a PGCE from Southampton University. She was inspired by her own Physics teacher at school, and taught at the Girls’ Grammar School in Bournemouth amongst other Secondary Schools. She worked at an Independent Boarding School where a significant number of pupils required special needs teaching. It was here that she began to teach Mathematics as well as Physics. Jane took time out to raise her own family, but loves teaching so much that she returned to Homeschooling with Wolsey Hall Oxford!

IGCSE Course Editor

Liz Wickens

Liz graduated from St Andrews university with a degree in English Language and Literature and an ambition to pursue a career in journalism. After a couple of brief forays into print with HarperCollins (travel books), she found her way instead into publishing and worked for 20 years at GL Assessment (formerly nfer-Nelson) as an editor, working mainly on educational assessments. During this time she took an eight-year career break to start a family, returning to work on a part-time basis once her two children reached school age. Now a freelance editor, Liz enjoys a variety of work, especially jobs that blend writing with editing. She is also co-chair of governors at her local Primary school and enjoys playing the piano in her spare time.

Lower Secondary

Jess Wyer

Jess studied Applied Biology at Bath University. After getting her honours degree, she worked as a food Microbiologist then whilst involved in research at Oxford University she authored several scientific papers as well as obtaining a Diploma in Counselling. After taking time off to look after her two children she was employed as a school Science Technician. She then trained as a teacher and gained her Diploma in Education and Training at Cirencester College, teaching A level Biology and IGCSE Biology in an outstanding Science department. In addition to tutoring with Wolsey Hall she has also tutored local students in Science, several with learning difficulties, from Primary up to IGCSE Level. In her spare time Jess likes to bake and spend time in her wildlife garden.

Lower Secondary

Elena Roveglia

Elena has a BA in European Languages and an MA in Translation with Language Technology. After achieving her PGCE from Exeter University, Elena taught in a number of state and independent schools in South West England. After 16 years as Head of Languages, Head of House and examiner for GCSE, Elena achieved her CELTA certification. She then moved into the international circuit and took up the role of teacher trainer for an independent school group in Kazakhstan. This led to a further two years in Asia, where Elena worked as an ESL/Academic English specialist at an independent school in Beijing. In her spare time, Elena enjoys baking cakes, reading and going for long walks along the coastline near her parents’ home in West Wales. She also enjoys visiting her husband’s family in Italy.

Upper Primary

Jo Ryman

Jo has worked in a variety of Primary schools and for the local authority, but most recently in a small school, where independent learning and parental support are key priorities. She works with children across all ages with a particular focus on Maths, IT and outdoor education. Her three children keep her busy and she took time out to be a full time mum and during this time helped set up a charity. Jo has a keen interest in birds and wild flowers probably stemming from living on a farm in childhood.

Lower Primary

Becky Blackwell

Becky trained at Oxford Brookes University, achieving a BA Hons in Primary Education and specialised in teaching children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. She has then taught children from all the Primary year groups in a variety of Primary schools across Oxfordshire. Becky’s favourite part of teaching is encouraging children to be brave when learning; building up their resilience to reach their potential. Becky has a young daughter at home who makes life both busy and noisy! In her spare time she teaches and performs a range of circus skills to children and adults.

Tutor Services and Support

Tutor Services Manager

Gemma Langley

Gemma grew up in Wales surrounded by stunning scenery. Her love of her surroundings and a desire to understand and conserve them led her to do a degree in Marine Biology at Swansea University. This led to a career in conservation from Gower, Wales, to Maui, Hawaii. During this time she had the privilege of sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with school groups, youth associations and the general public. Gemma taught Science in Secondary schools and thrived on seeing pupils achieve their potential. She is a long-standing Tutor with Wolsey Hall and now not only does she support students, but also the Tutor team. Gemma now lives in Dartmouth. When not working, she will be found at the beach, where she’ll either be kitesurfing or paddle boarding in the sea or on the sand with her three children and their dog ‘Breeze’.

Tutor Support Supervisor

Heidi Watkins

Heidi studied Mathematics at the University of Birmingham, where she also completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Education. She has been helping students study Maths for over 20 years, and is an established tutor at Wolsey Hall Oxford, having worked here for several years. In addition to tutoring students at this college, she provides support to our Tutors, and is involved in quality control to help Wolsey Hall Oxford maintain the high standards that we are all proud of. In her free time, Heidi can be found ten-pin-bowling or toboganning with her partner and three sons, and taking their tiny chihuahua for walks in the countryside.

Tutor Services Manager (Primary)

Ed Morris

Ed undertook a four-year teacher training degree, graduating in 2001 with a QTS with English qualification. Since then, he has been teaching across the Primary age range. Ed played a large part in the development of PE and School Sport in Blackpool between 2002 – 2006, and then led Science, English and Maths in Lichfield. He is here to supervise our Primary Level Tutor range. Ed is passionate about helping Primary Level students feel supported and motivated by their Tutors.

Exams Officers

Exams Officer (International)

Nuha Lami

Nuha has a degree in Business Management and, prior to joining Wolsey Hall Oxford, lectured in Business and Economics. She has also worked in Early Years Learning and Student Support, working closely with students requiring extra exam provision at another college in Oxford. Nuha lives in North Oxford and has two daughters, both of whom are currently at university. In her spare time she enjoys interior design and aerobics.

Exams Officer (UK)

Tony Marshall

Tony has over sixteen years’ experience as an Exams Officer at Thomas Gainsborough School, which in recent years has become an important centre for our students. Tony will have overall responsibility for our Exams Office as well as specific responsibility for the UK area. Before moving from London to rural Suffolk with his family, Tony spent more than 20 years in the Financial Markets as a trader in International Bonds and Futures for various Investment Banks and Brokers. He now likes to spend his time with his six children, and helping out at his daughters Teahouse in Lavenham.