Fully accredited by AEGIS, the Boarding School Association and British Council trained, we support parents to educate their children internationally. We are also certified Safer Recruiters so our team and hosts are all recruited in line with safeguarding guidelines.
Scroll down or click on the images below to learn more about us.
Lorna founded Academic Families in 2012 following her 13 year overseas career in Australia, South America and East Africa. With 30+ years’ experience in business and as a former expat mother, Lorna leads the Academic Families team to deliver our premier personal and professional service. Lorna’s knowledge and expertise ensures that our students receive the best possible advice and support leading to their educational success.
In addition to recognition by the British Council, AEGIS, Boarding Schools' Association, English UK and Youth Mental Health England, Lorna was awarded an MBE by King Charles for Services to Young People.
Louise is responsible for introducing our services to families around the world, ensuring we provide the support they need. Louise has spent most of her life living outside the UK in SE Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Working for international travel and relocation companies has developed Louise’s cultural intelligence ensuring her excellent international understanding and relationships.
Coming to the UK for her own boarding school education and selecting the best boarding schools for her own 3rd culture children has given Louise a wealth of personal and professional experience. She is a great support to our parents – understanding their dilemma of choosing the right education for each child.
Roni heads our Placement and Guardianship teams and is our designated Child Protection Officer.
She has taught overseas for 20+ years in British curriculum international schools, latterly as Deputy Head in Kenya. Her insight into the challenges moving cultures, curriculum and learning styles enables her team to ensure students are well prepared. Roni's British Council training, experience and expertise placing students in closely matched schools ensures their happiness and success and her child-centred focus ensures their safety and wellbeing.
Belinda assists Roni with school placement.
Belinda has spent the last 23 years working in or with British schools. She was Registrar at Westonbirt School and then at Dean Close School, becoming Head of (school) Partnerships for Etherton Education in 2016 for a further 6 years before joining Academic Families. Belinda is passionate about British Education and the integration of International students into the life of their schools via good English language skills. She encourages students to make the most of their time in the UK by joining in with the extra-curricular and making as many friends as possible whilst at school.
Sophie manages our Guardianship support and is responsible for our students’ UK arrangements and safety. Her UK-wide team of Area Managers provide local support. Sophie's British Council training ensures her comprehensive knowledge of the UK education system and visa regulations ensuring our families are professionally supported at all times.
Sophie has lived in Kenya, Australia and the UK. At school, she swam competitively at national level then taught and coached swimming for 7 years at top schools, clubs and Loughborough University. Her natural teaching skills and easy rapport with our students ensure their education goes beyond the classroom as they develop their independence safely and happily.
Janneke supports our students in Scotland. With her knowledge and years of experience she ensures all our students' guardianship arrangements are perfectly organised so that they can reach their full potential in a secure and positive environment.
Janneke is from The Netherlands and has lived in Asia for over 20 years whilst working in the travel industry. She lived with a host family for a year whilst studying in the USA and understands like no other how valuable and life changing a good match between the two can be. Raising her son in Sri Lanka has given her a lot of first-hand experience in the international school system and the British curriculum.
Lydia is part of the guardianship team, supporting our students in England. Having experienced education abroad, she has a first-hand understanding how to best support students on their exciting venture.
Lydia completed her European Studies degree in the Netherlands, before returning to her family home in Spain to teach English as a Foreign Language. She has lots of experience working with students of all ages. She came to the UK to continue her studies in Inclusive Education, and is passionate about supporting accessible, high-quality education for all. Drawing on her own experiences of moving countries, she provides empathetic support for students, encouraging them to thrive during their time here.
Sara supports our students in the Midlands and Hosts throughout England & Wales.
Having hosted international students for 20+ years, Sara fully understands the hosting experience and requirements, making her ideally placed to recruit, support and match our hosts with students. She is also a grandmother with a daughter living in Germany.
Sara has worked in sales and customer-facing roles across different sectors and is approachable and pragmatic. She is enthusiastic about helping students overcome any challenges and make the most of their British education.
Danielle has worked as a PA for 15 years in the finance industry so is extremely diligent, organised and approachable. Danielle enjoys helping students who are coming to UK schools to have the best experience possible and ensure things are as smooth as they can be upon embarking on their new adventure.
Danielle has taught English in Asia, is well travelled and enjoys learning about new cultures and countries.
Becki supports our students in the North of England.
She has had a career in education for ~20 years and has a vast amount of experience working with children of all ages. She has supported her own children throughout their education giving her a profound and personal understanding of the challenges that can be faced by school children. With a love for the pastoral aspect of education, Becki is always on hand to support and solve problems. She draws on her experience and expertise to ensure that our students are safe, happy and achieving their best.
After a business career in China, Lisa came from Beijing to the UK in 2001. Now married with a school age son, Lisa teaches secondary Chinese. Her first-hand knowledge of both education systems enables her to support our Chinese families to understand everything you need to know about UK education and culture.
Lisa also ensures our schools understand some of the cultural backgrounds our students come from so everyone learns together!
Janet is part of the guardianship team and supports our Spanish students, managing their UK-wide travel and hosting arrangements. Janet grew up in Edinburgh and worked for many years in an independent school as the school's administrator. Janet's extensive knowledge of the British education system combined with her own passion for learning helps her support our Spanish students as they embark on their education journey in the UK.
Janet loves travelling and exploring new environments, and especially enjoys visiting her family in the US, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Katty works on the travel team, ensuring the seamless organisation of all our fantastic escorted holiday trips. She loves all things travel and has worked in the industry for over 20 years.
Katty’s professional background has given her the opportunity for extensive travel, learning about many different cultures and traditions. Through this, she has a first-hand appreciation of all the enriching merits of travel and uses this experience to provide the best trips possible for our students. Katty is originally from Peru but relocated to the UK to raise her family and for her children to enjoy the benefits of a UK education.
Melinda was born and raised in Manchester. She made the move to Edinburgh to study Event Management at Edinburgh Napier University. With a background in customer service, Melinda brings a wealth of experience to her role.
Melinda is a part of coordinating Academic Families' holiday trips and travel arrangements, working closely with Katty to ensure seamless and memorable experiences for all participants.
Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys exploring diverse destinations, a passion that complements her desire to provide exceptional travel experiences. She’s an avid skier and is equally enthusiastic about fulfilling her dream of visiting Hawaii.
Catriona works in the marketing team and her experiences living abroad and working with children allow her to relate to our community of international students.
Catriona graduated with a degree in Spanish and Italian from Durham University and studied at the University of Salamanca, and in Florence, during her degree. After graduating, she returned to Italy and taught English at schools in Lombardy. Catriona also volunteers as a Youth Worker at charity-run summer camps in Scotland that welcome children from all over the world and she has received training in Child Protection.
Maddy is our Marketing Content Executive and is responsible for our blogs, design work and social media.
Maddy studied Digital Media and Interaction Design at Edinburgh Napier University, after moving from a remote village in the Western Isles. During university, she spent a few months working abroad in New York City so is familiar with the culture shock of a contrasting new environment. Maddy also volunteers with summer youth camps and designs the social media for a number of charities she’s involved with.
Get in touch and we will contact you to discuss your child's needs and explain how we can help you year-round.
© 2023 Academic Families | Academic Families is a Safer Recruiter
