I bring over twenty years of teaching experience to my work as an education consultant and tutor, drawn from a career spanning independent and state schools across the South West and beyond. At the heart of my approach is a commitment to seeing “the whole child” - understanding and assessing not just their academic ability, but their character, confidence and individual way of learning.

Having been a music scholar at The Lady Eleanor Holles School, I went on to study for a BA (Hons) in Music and complete my PGCE at the University of Bristol. I also performed on violin and saxophone with orchestras, jazz bands and string ensembles at venues including the Royal Festival Hall and Eton College.

My teaching career has taken me from Acting Head of Music at a Kent grammar school and a class music teacher at Dorset and Somerset comprehensive schools to seven years as Director of Music and Performing Arts at Hazlegrove Prep School, where I led a busy department of instrumental and administrative staff, directed the music curriculum for Years 1 to 8 and worked closely with the school's Learning Support team to ensure teaching was tailored to each child's individual learning profile. I have spent over two decades teaching violin, piano and music theory both privately and peripatetically, and music in the classroom from Key Stage 3 through to GCSE and A Level, working with students aged 5 to 18 in both day and boarding settings.

As a member of Hazlegrove's senior management team, I played a central role in discussions about future schools for individual pupils, working closely with families to guide their choice of senior school - both academically and, given my specialism, in relation to music provision. This experience gave me an in-depth, up-to-date knowledge of the admissions landscape, and the ethos and character of a wide range of senior schools - a foundation I draw on directly in my consultancy work today.

This breadth of experience covering classroom teaching, department leadership, learning support and individual tuition gives me a rounded understanding of how children learn best and what it takes to help them build confidence, resilience and genuine enjoyment in the classroom, whatever the subject or their learning requirements.

As a parent of three, I also bring first-hand experience of scholarship applications and university admissions (including Oxbridge and the US), giving me a practical, family-centred perspective. This underpins my work as an Independent Education Consultant, offering bespoke, one-to-one guidance to help families find the school where their child will genuinely belong. Whether choosing between day and boarding options, understanding entrance requirements and scholarship routes or guiding families through the wider application process, my advice is impartial and bespoke. My knowledge and experience also enable me to offer advice to parents of children looking to study music beyond school at universities or conservatoires.

In addition to my consultancy work, I offer one-to-one tutoring, providing general academic support to children through to Year 9 (pre-tests, 11+ and 13+), with ABRSM Grade 5 Theory and specialist subject support up to GCSE available by arrangement.

I am also a trustee of The Cherubim Music Trust - a national charity that loans professional-calibre orchestral instruments to advanced music students aged 15–25.

BA (Mus), PGCE, QTS - 20+ years teaching experience - Enhanced DBS-checked - Public liability & professional indemnity insured - ICO registered