Tim Fernandes-Bonnar

Director of Studies

Tim’s role as Director of Studies is to organise the students, teachers, classrooms and books and help make sure that Kings students are comfortable in their learning environment so they can achieve their best results.

"I am married with two wonderful little boys who keep me very busy in my spare time. I have lived in Poland and Germany, visited most of Europe and India. I am passionate about Liverpool Football Club and enjoy playing football with students. Brazilians are the best! I studied Political Science and enjoy discussing world events with people all over the world. The more I learn about different cultures from students the more I feel we can help them to learn."

Gaston Zapata

Travel Manager

Gaston organisies trips and social activities for students and handles a range of administrative duties around the college.

"I come from Chile and was a student at this wonderful college in 1996. I got involved in trips for students in the summer of 1997 and 12 years later I am still working here! As a well-travelled person (I've travelled to 10 countries in Europe and many cities in England!!) I am in a position to provide sound travel information of all kinds. Groups and individual students have benefited from my advice, enhancing their experience at Kings."

Nadine Kemp

Student Services Manager

Nadine works on the reception at Kings London and deals with a wide range of student enquiries including help with directions, where to eat out, visa information and general help with students’ studies.

"I am a keen horse rider. I have competed at different levels of Dressage, Cross County and Show Jumping through out my life. I now have a 10 year old Irish Draught X Thoroughbred, which I am training to become an eventer. I have attended an agricultural college, studying equine management. I am also a holistic therapist specialising in Hydrothermal Massage. I love to travel and have been to many places in Europe. My last trip was to China and my next will be to Egypt. I have a very busy life and love my role at Kings."

Nick Addy

Marketing Coordinator

Nick’s job is all about relationships. Relationships with agents, with students and with group leaders. Nick communicates regularly with these people, mainly by email, as well as planning and organising agent group trips to Kings.

"Previously I worked as a website designer, living in Vancouver and Brighton, before doing my CELTA and becoming an EFL teacher. It’s fascinating to work in an environment where you can meet and learn about people from all over the world. I was lucky to meet my now wife Ilona, from Poland, when working at a different college. I am trying to learn Polish, but it’s a very difficult language. I am busy renovating our flat at the moment, but when I have some free time, I enjoy world cinema and attempting to cook food from different countries – Indian is a personal favourite!"

Emma Howells

Assistant Director of Studies

Emma helps to organize the classes, the teachers, the classrooms and the books and help make sure that our students are happy so that they can achieve their potential and have a happy time at Kings.

"I have worked at Kings since 2006 and I love it! I have a BA in French and Russian and an MA in TESOL. I have been teaching for five years and I have lived in Russia and France. When I’m not working, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes and playing the piano. I also love arts and crafts such as knitting, card-making and cross stitching. I spend a lot of time in Cornwall, where I enjoy going for long walks along the beach, painting watercolour scenes and drinking hot chocolate in cafes! The best part about my job is that I meet people from all over the world and learn about how life is lived in other countries. I also love Karaoke nights at Kings!"

Mike Stone

Teacher

Mike teaches General English, Business English and Media Studies. He also produces resources for the interactive whiteboards.

"I was born in south-west London, not far from where I live now. After completing secondary school I went travelling in Europe and south-east Asia. I decided to become an English teacher in Bangkok in 2003. That year I taught in Thailand, Nepal and China. And since then I have taught in Wimbledon (SW London) and Beckenham (SE London). At university I studied International Relations and Arabic. I also went to college to study an Arabic GCSE. Learning Arabic is difficult, but it's great to be learning a new language and discovering a culture. During my degree I worked for Save the Children, the Council for Arab-British Understanding, and the BBC. I particularly enjoy volunteering in my free time. Kings is a great place to work, and an inspiring place to study. It has a great intellectual atmosphere and there are many interesting people to study with. London is a thriving, exciting city to visit; there are hundreds of things to see and do. We hope to see you here soon at Kings London."

Elaine Jones

Social Coordinator/Teacher

Elaine is responsible for organising and taking students on social activities. These include guided walks around London, museum tours, cinema trips and sporting activities.

"I have been teaching English at Kings London since July 2007 having done two previous summers here. Last summer I worked full-time as a social coordinator on the LVE programme. Prior to Kings, I taught English in Lisbon for two years, but don’t ask me anything in Portuguese! I am the smallest member of staff with the biggest appetite and can eat anyone under the table! I love food and I make a mean paella! I’m a vegetarian, not a vegetable as the students sometimes think! I love music, dancing in the kitchen whilst cooking up a feast and reading in bed on a Sunday morning. Other passions include going out for dinner with friends and watching the latest flick at the cinema, but my biggest love is getting out in the fresh air and going for a walk around London, discovering bits I haven’t seen before. My family and friends mean the world to me and I wouldn’t have got where I am today without them."

Laura Hodgson

Accommodation and Welfare Manager

Laura’s varied role as Accommodation and Welfare Manager at Kings London includes inspecting prospective families, giving them advice on how to welcome our students and then matching them with a student that would enjoy being with them. While students are at the college, Laura also helps them with any welfare problems they might face.

“I previously worked in both the property and media industries in London and South Africa. I am a keen traveller with India being my favourite and most interesting country so far. I love the fact that each day at Kings is different as well as being a challenge. I would say that meeting different people from various cultures, with plenty of stories, is a big plus of my role.”

Mark Poolton

Academic Director

Mark is responsible for managing resources and organising classes on the academic programmes. He also advises students on how to achieve their learning goals.
 
"Since graduating in Politics I have spent several years working in international education both as a language teacher in Greece and Italy and more recently as a Government and Law tutor at Kings Oxford. In addition to an interest in current and political affairs, in my spare time I enjoy cycling and taking long country walks. I also like travelling, meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Italy is one of my favourite holiday retreats and it goes without saying that I love Italian food and wine!"

Lynne Brown

Bursar

Lynne works in accounts at Kings London and deals with all financial transactions including taking payments from students and agents for tuition, accommodation and other fees to processing all payments for the business. She also looks after students’ pocket money and helps with any student enquiries with regard to their payments whilst studying with Kings.

“I have recently joined Kings London and I am really enjoying my new role and my colleagues are very supportive and helpful. I enjoy meeting new people and spending time with my 3 children and husband.  I love to read, especially autobiographies as I enjoy finding out about peoples lives and experiences. We have a family home in Malta which I try to visit a couple of times a year to unwind and relax from the busy life at Kings. I am also a wine connoisseur and I love to try new wines from around the world.”