Our Team
We are very lucky here at BEET to have a team of enthusiastic and highly-motivated teachers. All of them hold a Teaching Certificate or Diploma, and all have a university degree or equivalent. As a team, they have many years of teaching experience between them.
This experience helps them to make lessons interesting and clear so that you enjoy your lessons while you improve your English. They use modern methods and technology combined with more traditional techniques to help you develop your understanding of English and improve your communication skills.
Accommodation and Administration
There is a lot more to your stay in Bournemouth than just English lessons! Students are able to come and talk to us anytime; this could be about students’ accommodation or an excursion they might like to go on would to go on.
Perhaps even help with buses and trains, or advice on great places to eat near the school? The team always here are always keen to help.
Board of Directors
Clive Barrow
Chairman of the Board of Directors
I left school without any vocation and tried jobs in the army, international banking, air traffic control
Judith Barrow
Director
I started as a teacher at Beet in the summer of 1988, on an 8-week contract, fell in love with the school
Management
Richard Ellis
Centre Manager
After growing up near London, I came down to Bournemouth to study at university and stayed on to complete my masters before starting my career in management here. After several years teaching in Spain and Latin America, I returned to the UK to run an established chain of English language schools in London, but I am delighted to now be back in Bournemouth and to have recently joined the Beet family at the number one English language school in the town. I look forward to meeting our dedicated students and industry partners and to becoming part of the Beet legacy!
John Dench
Director of Studies
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
Shaun Douglas
Assistant Director of Studies
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.
Administration & Accommodation
Sarah Beasley
Marketing Executive
I have been working here at the school in different capacities since the age of 16! BEET is very close to my heart and a very special school to be a part of for both staff and students alike. I originally trained as a CELTA teacher, however somehow found my way into marketing which I love! You can find me in reception where I am always happy to help students with anything they might need; I especially enjoy the challenge of assisting with the more unusual enquiries such as locating bungee jumping centres or acting classes! We’re always delighted to talk to students, it’s so nice to get to know so many different people from such interesting parts of the world. Having lived in France, I understand how daunting it is to come to a different country with a limited knowledge of the language. I believe that it is important to provide as much support as possible to our students to ensure they get the maximum possible out of their stay; many of the staff at BEET have lived abroad and also share this philosophy which is part of what makes us so special! Outside of BEET I enjoy family life, music, cooking, socialising, walking in our beautiful forests and beaches and eating as much wonderful food as I possibly can!
Billie Davies
Marketing Assistant
With a passion for travel and languages, I’ve had the privilege of visiting countries all over the world, deepening my appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives.
I’m a qualified CELTA teacher, with over three years experience as a cover teacher at Beet Language Centre. Recently, I transitioned into the marketing department, allowing me to combine my love for language with my creative writing skills, having recently completed a BA (Hons) degree in Creative Writing at Arts University Bournemouth.
My teaching journey has led me to language schools in Italy, where I had the opportunity to teach, and to France, where I studied French. These experiences have given me valuable insights from both sides of the classroom, as I’ve been both a teacher and a student. Additionally, having lived with a host family abroad and also hosted international students in England, I fully understand the unique challenges and rewards of both roles, allowing me to connect deeply with students and teachers alike.
Outside of Beet, I’m passionate about animals, nature, fitness, and the arts. In my spare time, I love to experiment with music and creative projects. I teach spin classes in a local fitness centre and enjoy practicing yoga. I feel incredibly fortunate to live in Bournemouth, and I love spending time outdoors, whether it’s walking through the forest, kayaking along rivers, or swimming in the sea.
Kayo Daniels
Senior Office Coordinator
In April 2022, I joined the team as registrar but I am now responsible for administration and finance. My BEET journey started when I was 18 years old as a student.
I have so many wonderful memories here so it’s a privilege to be back as a part of such a fun, friendly and hard-working team. I love meeting students from all over the world and helping them on their English language journey.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking the coast paths of the Purbecks and relaxing at the beach. I’m an avid fan of films and like reading books in Japanese and English!
Kate O’Leary
Receptionist
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!
Zuzana Leech
Registrar
After graduating in 2012 from Business University in Prague, I moved to the UK and started working in retail, then later on helped to run my husband’s company.
I joined the Beet family in the summer of 2023. I love helping students at Beet from start to finish and no day is the same. When they’re happy, I am happy too.
In my spare time I enjoy singing, playing piano, exploring fauna and flora, learning new languages and I’ve also recently received a TEFL certificate.
Alison Yorke-Saville
Accommodation & Welfare Manager / Designated Safeguarding Lead
I came to Beet in October 2013 as the Accommodation and Welfare Officer. Beet is like a home from home family, with a lovely feel good factor along with a great ethos. I work alongside Andrew and Laura in Room 3, accommodating students in both homestay accommodation and student houses. I enjoy meeting students and placing them with our homestay families. There is no other job like this, fun, exciting, hard work but very rewarding! Out of school I enjoy playing Badminton, I trained as a chef straight out of school and enjoy cooking. I also love going for walks along the beach.
Andrew James
Accommodation Officer & Advanced Safeguarding Officer
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 studentsâ 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.
Laura Serrano
Accommodation Officer
Originally from Spain, I have always loved travelling and meeting new cultures from around the world. After finishing my Degree in Tourism I came to Bournemouth to improve my English and to live the experience of living abroad. It was one of the best decisions of my life! In that time, I worked for an agency who organized languages studies abroad for international students and it made me realized how much I loved being part of this world!
After that, I went to Malta and Barcelona to get my master’s degree in Journalism and now I am happy to be back in Bournemouth and be part of the Beet family. I love being able to help and meet students from all over the world!
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching films and reading novels.
Catering & Maintenance
Tanya Cooper
Canteen Manager
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!
Jose Henrique
Canteen Assistant
Teaching Staff
Verna Green
Teacher
I’m a teacher and I’ve been working as part of the BEET team since 2005. I absolutely love it here; the teachers are all so talented and there is always a lovely warm, friendly atmosphere in the school. I enjoy helping my students achieve their immediate personal goals and seeing them come closer to realising their dreams. When I’m not at work I love getting out into the beautiful Dorset countryside or having a quiet stroll along the beach.
Janet Shackleton
Teacher
Harry Harrison
Teacher
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!
Linda Hubbard
Teacher
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.
Justin Maidment
Teacher
I’ve been an English language teacher since 1998 and have since worked in the UK, Spain and Turkey. I have been at BEET since 2005 where I’ve taught all types of classes and trained many types of people on the various teacher training courses. Working in such a multi-national environment is the thing I enjoy most about my job; I love meeting and working with different people from all around the world!
Jonathan Smith
Teacher
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.
Yulia Douglas
Teacher
Martin Rice
Teacher
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!
Stephanie Marston
Teacher
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.
Judith Hayward
Teacher
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 â to their cost â that it is difficult to shut me up on this subject!
Julian Shirley
Teacher
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.