Simon Fenn

Principal

Simon ensures that in all possible ways Kings is a college where students are happy and successful, and reach their maximum potential.

"I've been professionally involved in international education for over thirty years. I've worked in North Africa, North America, mainland Europe and the UK, teaching, writing and publishing, training teachers, lecturing, managing academic departments and directing schools. I'm also closely involved in education as a parent (two of my four sons are currently at university) and as one of the governors of a large secondary school near Oxford. I've been Principal of Kings Oxford since 1993. In my spare time I play the drums in three different rock & roll bands."

Sarah Bacon

Vice-Principal

Sarah is responsible for making sure each student achieves his or her learning objectives while at Kings Oxford.

"We welcome students from all over the world and all walks of life and this diversity has always been both fascinating and challenging for me. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing students leave our college fulfilled and able to take the next step in his or her life as a better person for their stay at Kings. Travel from a young age has given me a few words in many languages but mastery sadly of very few. I'm always humbled by what our students can do. Outside Kings my husband, my family and animals keep me busy and happy; sometimes the quiet of the countryside is the best relaxation after a busy day at college. A combination of England's green and pleasant land with the international community in which I work couldn't be better!"

Jemima Levy

Information Officer

Jemima has been working at Kings Oxford for nearly four years now and is usually the first contact for aspirant students, parents and agents - with their enquiries that arrive either by email, directly from the website, by telephone or in person at college. Jemima can be found in Reception, where she sees many new and old students and helps with answering their many everyday questions.

"After having lived in Italy and France since 1967, I returned to England and to my roots in Oxfordshire. I live in a small village just outside Oxford and I enjoy the peace of the countryside especially after a busy day at Kings Oxford. I enjoy my time with my four children, my grandson, my Labrador and Golden Retriever. I wish I had time to own a horse as I love to ride. I am also a very keen photographer in my spare time."

Pat Smith

Registrar

Pat is the first point of contact for enrolling students and confirms bookings and sends out all relevant documentation including Visa letters, course confirmation and invoices. Pat works closely with agents to ensure that the process of booking a student is as smooth as possible.

"I enjoy the varied aspects of my role at Kings, but in my free time I am a keen golfer and have recently started skiing again after a very long gap. I also enjoy travelling and am endeavouring to visit as many European cities as possible. I have five granddaughters who I see regularly."

Anna Millard

Academic Administrator

As Academic Administrator, Anna is responsible for the academic course administration. Anna works closely with the Assistant Director of Studies and Director of Studies to ensure the smooth running of the college.

"I've always enjoyed working in education, I worked at Oxford University for five years before branching out into international education. I never seem to sit down for long at Kings, there are always lots of things to do but I enjoy being busy so that's the way I like it. Away from college, I spend weekends and holidays with my boyfriend and cats, either curled up at home or on a motorbike seeing new places, touring the UK and Europe and meeting up with friends."

Michael Jayakar

Finance Manager

Michael joined Kings Oxford in late 1996 as the Finance Manager, and is responsible for the day to day accounting and financial aspect of the college. Over the years the role has expanded to involve Health and Safety and facility matters.

"I have sent most of my working life in the accounting and finance fields, both commercial and professional and perhaps one of the joys of my job is the day to day variation it involves and the interaction I have with my colleagues in Oxford and the other Kings colleges. Away from Kings, I have a long wish-list of things still to do, from walking the great Wall of China to exploring South America. Most of my free time however is spent on more mundane pursuits such as gardening and enjoying the varied arts that both Oxford and London offer."

Jeanette Lindsey-Clark

Director of Studies

A fundamental aspect of Jeanette's work is monitoring and evaluating the wide range of courses on offer at Kings to ensure students are well catered for. She also advises students on their study plans and assists with teacher development programmes.

"I have been in ELT for over 20 years and recently completed a Masters degree in English Language Teaching and Materials design. I also have the Cambridge DELTA and am, like most of our permanent EFL teachers, an IELTS examiner. My special areas of interest are teacher training and course design. Before coming to Kings, I spent many years teaching and training in Eastern Indonesia; this taught me a great deal about working with different cultures and the similarities between people. I love music in all its forms, reading as much as I have time for, visiting unusual places and growing things."

Ben Hadden

English Teacher

Ben teaches General English and prepares students for the IELTS exam. As an EAP teacher, Ben teaches Communication and Study Skills to students doing the Foundation course.

"I have been a teacher since 2002 and I have worked in a number of schools in Tokyo, London, and now Oxford. What I like most about being a teacher is being able to help students to develop as learners and seeing the satisfaction they get when they learn something new. In my spare time I like to do crosswords, go to the cinema and take long walks in the countryside."

Dominic Bullock

English Teacher

I plan and deliver lessons to learners of English of all levels (Elementary to Advanced), and sometimes teach exam preparation courses.

"I’ve been a teacher for over twenty-five years mostly in Oxford but also in Japan. I like sport, especially football, cricket and golf. Apart from sport, I play the guitar and act in plays. I enjoy helping students learn my language and meeting people from all around the world."

Geoffrey Ma

Network Administrator

Geoffrey looks after the college’s internal I.T. Systems, and makes sure everything is working 100%. He works with the administration staff, teachers and students whenever a technology problem arises.

"I am a keen appreciator of food, be it at home or abroad. Whilst travelling, I make the point of trying new and wonderful cuisine the local culture has to offer. I’ve been as far as Japan or as close as Edinburgh to find that illusive dish. When at home, I often hold appropriately-themed dinner parties. In between meals, I enjoy a good book and glass of Cognac with a Nobuo Uematsu CD in the background."

Melrose Fernandes

Senior Teacher (CSS and UCAS) and Summer Course Director.

During the academic year Melrose is in charge of Communication and Study Skills (CSS) and teaches language on the Foundation Course, the Pre-Foundation Course and the A-level course.

Melrose is also involved in helping students with the UCAS application process and she is an IELTS examiner for speaking and writing. In the summer she is the Course Director for the vacation programme and her job involves testing students, putting them into appropriate classes and supporting the summer staff.

"I came to Kings Oxford in 1995 and I have been here ever since! Before coming here I was teaching in Spain and really loved life there. I enjoy travelling, visiting new places and meeting people from different countries."

Gerda Lysley

Librarian

Gerda is responsible for the running of the Library and the Listening Centre for all academic and language students.

"I started work at Kings invigilating for the IELTS exams and ended up as the librarian! Before I joined, I was teaching in Further Education for many years. Now working as a librarian, I help students find the relevant books for their assignments and language exams and offer study support.  

"I assist with graduate and postgraduate information and organise the University Fair. It is very rewarding seeing the students make good progress through the academic year and fulfilling their ambitions. I'm just one of the many staff to help them achieve it. I enjoy living in Oxford with its many cultural outlets and the beautiful Cotswolds nearby."

Debbie Brown

Accommodation Officer

Debbie is responsible for recruiting and briefing suitable host families and maintaining contact with them. A database of host families forms part of the College's information management system and Debbie is responsible for maintaining this as an accurate, up to date resource. She is also responsible for placing students in accommodation appropriately and promptly as their bookings come in. Debbie also works very close with the Welfare Officer, covering a large proportion of this role during holiday times.

“I joined Kings in April 2009 after working in local primary and secondary schools for 11 years, so have a varied educational background working with children and young adults of all ages. I have also previously hosted students, both long and short stay and found it to be a very rewarding experience. I found it to be a wonderful opportunity to meet people from other countries and learn about different cultures and it has given me a greater understanding of the host family role.”