David Davies Headmaster

A science graduate with a wealth of experience in educational management and performance

development, David has been headmaster of the Torbay school since its inception. He has been

successful in ensuring that students achieve the highest grades possible and that they develop the

skills necessary for success at university. He has also worked as an examiner for major exam boards.

Debbie Chatterton Vice Principal and IB Coordinator

In her role as Vice Principal Debbie spends much of her day dealing with students. Debbie ensures that

teaching and learning remains at the forefront of our focus and oversees the four curriculum managers.

Debbie has worked within the field of education for many years and has much experience working within

the Further Education system. She is highly experienced as a university counselor and guides the medical

placement students with their applications to university. Debbie as our IB Coordinator is responsible to the

Principal for the complete organization and administration of the IB Diploma Programme. She oversees

the role of the CAS and TOK Coordinators and acts as an adviser regarding the development of the IB

programme. Debbie advises students in their course and subject selection. She ensures that internal and

external deadlines are met and she spends time supporting, and encouraging students.

Claire Bettles Biology

Claire Bettles graduated from Swansea University with a degree in zoology. She conducted postgradu-

ate research work at the Chester Beatty Cancer Research Institute, in London, where she investigated

tumour immunology. She subsequently gained a postgraduate certificate in education from Garnett

College and taught for 27 years at a further education college, teaching a wide range of levels and

courses in the field of biology. In the autumn of 2009 she joined EF International Academy, where she

teaches biology to A-level, International Baccalaureate and Preparation Programme students.

Meet the faculty of Torbay

Helen Allison Film and English teacher

Helen started her career as a photographer in the Canadian Air Force before graduating as a mature

student from the University of Calgary with a BA Honours in Communication Studies with specialisms

in English, Film and Cultural Studies. After teaching in Canada at the University of Calgary and in the

highly regarded LINC programme (Language Instruction for New Canadians), she gained her teaching

qualification in England under the auspices of King Alfred’s College, Winchester. In addition to her

native Canada she has had a varied international career teaching English and Film in Europe at GCSE,

A level and IB in England, Greece, Sweden and Portugal, as well as Guernsey in the Channel Islands

where she was Head of Film Studies for four years. She has now returned to England to develop Tor-

bay’s flagship Film department and is pioneering the new exciting IB Language and Literature course.

Liz Clarke English language

Liz Clarke has worked in international education for over 15 years in a variety of countries including

China, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy and Portugal. In the UK she has worked in international and further

education schools. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in literature and history, she has a Cambridge

Diploma in English Language Teaching. Liz is an enthusiastic teacher with a passion for the languages

and literature of different cultures.

Tina Desmond Law

Tina Desmond graduated from Plymouth University in Devon in 2007. She completed her postgraduate

certificate in education in the lifelong learning sector in June 2009. Her professional career includes

teaching employment law and English business law at City College Plymouth. She is now delighted to be

working at EF International Academy as an A-level law teacher.

Claire Dahill EFL (English as a Foreign Language) coordinator

Claire Dahill has been teaching English for seven years and has experience both abroad and in the UK.

She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Australasia. She has taught English at EF

International Academy since the school was established. In her role as EFL coordinator she is respon-

sible for the running of the EFL department, developing academic skills for university progression and

ensuring that students are prepared for the English examination at the end of the year.

Dr Oliver Chapman Physics

Oliver Chapman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physics and went on to receive a PhD from

the University of Reading, having written a thesis about molecular spectroscopy. He achieved a

postgraduate certificate in education from Cambridge University and has since taught in a range of

secondary schools and further education colleges. At EF International Academy Torbay, Dr Chapman

teaches physics at all levels. He also teaches critical thinking to the Oxford and Cambridge candidates.

Philip Furse Teacher of Chemistry

Philip Furse graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in Chemistry. He has spent eleven years

in Education. Philip has taught a range of science qualifications in both secondary and further educa-

tion including GCSE Science and A-level Chemistry. He joined EF International Academy Torbay in the

spring of 2011 and is currently the Science Technician who also teaches A-level Chemistry.

Bob East Chemistry

Bob East has been a chemistry teacher for 16 years and recently moved to Torbay to work at EF

International Academy. He graduated from the University of Manchester with a bachelor’s and master’s

degreee in geochemistry, and he earned a postgraduate certificate in education from the Institute of

Education in London. Bob conducted postgraduate research and field work in the Austrian Alps, where

he collected samples for geochemical and isotopic analysis. He is an avid runner and has completed

mountain marathons throughout Britain.

Teresa Frost Host Family Coordinator

Teresa has worked for EFIA since August 2011 in the Host Family Coordination Team. She worked

for several years with International Students at South Devon College and thereafter worked within

the Healthcare Industry. Teresa lived, studied and worked in Sweden for 14 years and speaks fluent

Swedish.

Wendy Haines Media and English Teacher

Wendy Haines has a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in English language teaching

and education management. She has over ten years of experience teaching English and has worked

both overseas and in England in a variety of settings, including language schools, colleges of further

education, universities and international junior schools. She is an International English Language

Testing System examiner, and she has worked as a director of studies and trainer for English language

teachers. Wendy takes a lead role in Extended Essays, informing supervisors and students about the

extended essay requirements, the guidelines and assessment criteria. She identifies teaching staff with

suitable qualifications and experience to act as supervisors; and ensures that they are familiar with the

extended essay requirement and how it contributes to the Diploma Programme.

Bryan Heavens Mathematics

Bryan Heavens joined the faculty of EF International Academy Torbay as a mathematics teacher in

2006 and has taught single mathematics, further mathematics, IB mathematics and Preparation

Programme mathematics. He received his bachelor’s degree from the Open University and his

postgraduate certificate in education from the University of Exeter. He has worked in a number of

secondary schools in England and was deputy head of mathematics at one of them. Prior to entering

the teaching profession, he worked in industry and sales for a variety of multinational companies,

including Dunlop. He teaches and tutors students at Torbay and enjoys working with students of

different abilities and backgrounds. He also enjoys leading a music club.

Peter Hargood IAP Course Coordinator

Peter has worked with International students since 1993 and taught a variety of subjects to students of all

ages. He currently teaches English and Business Studies, but has recently taught English and Mathemat-

ics at University, Science and Business studies at local schools. He is a keen advocate of public speaking

and communication and has Masters degrees in both Education and Science. His teaching draws on

prior experience from industry, where he worked in International conferences and publishing. In the UK he

also worked in the food and chemicals industries.

Adrian Harrington Information and communication technologies, English as a foreign language

Adrian Harrington began teaching English as a foreign language in 1998 in Torbay with EF Language

Travel. He has taught English for over 10 years in the local area, focusing on general English and exam

preparation courses for business English and multiple levels of English certification. He made a career

change in 2005 to work within the National Health Service as an IT systems trainer for the National

Programme for Information Technology. While there he was part of an award-winning team that brought

radiology imagining systems to the local community. After earning his postgraduate certification in

education, Adrian joined EF International Academy in September 2008.

Nigel Hooper English Teacher of IELTS

Nigel Hooper graduated with a teaching degree from Exeter University. He then worked and travelled

for several years though India, Africa and the Middle East. He returned to England to study a second

degree and Masters in music composition. During this period he spent one year in Italy, writing music

for a dance company in Verona. After his graduation he returned to England, and for two years worked

in the music industry in London. In 2008 he returned to Italy, where he taught English in a language

school. He joined EF International Academy Torbay in September 2011. He currently teaches on the

English IELTS course to A Level students.

Hazel Linacre Mathematics

Hazel Linacre has taught mathematics in a number of well-known schools in the UK. In the beginning of

her career she taught several subjects, including maths, English language and literature, and geography at

a multinational school in Africa. On returning to the UK she spent nine years working at the country’s most

prestigious sixth form college, where she learned a lot from the lively mathematics department, before

going on to become head of mathematics at a college in Hertfordshire. She then moved to a larger girls’

school, where she was also head of the mathematics department and where she worked with overseas

students.

Maria Jennings Spanish

Maria Jennings graduated from James Madison University (Virginia, USA) with a BA with Honours in

English and Spanish. She then returned to her native Spain and gained a “Licenciatura” (MA) in Modern

Philology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Madrid. She passed the

highly competitive examinations to become a Secondary School MFL teacher in Spain, where she

taught for several years, achieving AST status. Maria earned further diplomas in Teaching Spanish

to speakers of Other Languages (University of Malaga) and Counselling Skills and Careers Advising

(University of Madrid). Maria relocated to the UK and achieved QTS in 2001. She has taught at various

schools in this country and has been an examiner for the IBO since 1998. She joined EF International

Academy Torbay in January 2011 and currently teaches IB Spanish A1 and A Literature.

Su Layfield Host Family Coordinator

Su has worked for EFIA since November 2011 in the Host Family Coordination Team. Su has had pre-

vious experience working in a Language School in Devon, as well as eight years’ experience working

as a Facilities Manager in an Investment Bank in London. Su has a BA (Hons) Degree in International

Business with French from Plymouth University.

Maria Mahoney Examinations Officer

Maria has previously worked in Management within the retail industry in Nottingham, she went on to

work for Insurance Companies Aviva and Crawford and Company loss Adjusters in their Fraud depart-

ment, Managing Large client based case loads, She also went on to train the staff In the Perth office on

system, policies, philosophies and standards. Maria has also been the company First Aider in all her

working roles since 2005.

Working in all these roles has given Maria the skills and attitude to succeed in her working role within

EF International Academy.

Wyn Morgan IGCSE coordinator

Wyn Morgan started teaching in the UK in 1995 after spending three years overseas. He has taught

in various international schools in the Netherlands, Italy and Ukraine and has 10 years of experience

with the International Baccalaureate curriculum. He also has extensive middle and senior management

experience. Wyn is a senior examiner for the International Baccalaureate Organization and has a

master’s degree in educational management from the University of Warwick. Wyn has several years of

IGCSE experience in various international schools prior to joining EF International Academy. He also is

a senior examiner for the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. He encourages students to

challenge themselves both in and outside the traditional boundaries of education.

Amanda Meek Mathematics

Amanda Meek graduated from Exeter University with a degree in mathematics and a Postgraduate

Certificate in Education. She has since spent several years working in education, in both teaching

and management roles. Mandy has taught a range of mathematics qualifications in both secondary

and further education, and she earned a diploma in management from the Chartered Management

Institute while overseeing a large team of academic staff. She joined EF International Academy Torbay

in the autumn of 2008 and currently teaches A-level mathematics and further mathematics. As a higher

education advisor, she helps students with their university applications.

Frank Moran Maintenance manager

Frank Moran has worked at EF since 1981. He is the longest serving member of our staff, and students

adore him as he is always at the door to welcome them with a cheery smile. Staff call him “The Oracle”

as he knows everything about the building and staff, and he can always be relied on to help everyone.

Chris Nicholls A Level Sociology

After several years working in Business and Finance Chris Nicholls graduated from the University of

Liverpool with a degree in History and Social Theory and then the University of the West of England in

Bristol with a Postgraduate certificate in Post 16 education. Following the completion of his teaching

qualification he worked at Gloucestershire College in Cheltenham teaching History, Sociology and

Business Studies before moving to London to teach History. Chris is also qualified to teach English as

a Foreign Language and spent a year teaching English in Japan and has travelled extensively around

Asia and Australia. Chris joined EF International Academy in 2010 to teach Sociology but he now also

works on the International Baccalaureate as the CAS and Theory of Knowledge coordinator.

Jonathan Samuel Art

Jonathan Samuel graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in Design and a post graduate

certificate in Education. He has worked as a professional artist and as an art teacher. During his time at

university he won the Torbay Civic Society Jubilee design award. He worked for South Devon College

as an art teacher, before joining EF International Academy Torbay, where he worked for two years run-

ning the art club before joining the full time in September, where he now teaches the IGCSE and Prepa-

ration course. He also helps students to build portfolios for entrance to Universities.

Andrew Norman Accountancy

Andrew Norman is a professionally qualified accountant who has worked for a variety of commercial

businesses over the past 20 years, gaining a broad range of experience in the field of accountancy.

He has also been involved with academic institutions for many years as both a student and teacher in

training. Andrew has been teaching at EF International Academy for approximately one year.

Fleur Rogers College administrator

Fleur Rogers’ career in education spans over 20 years, all of which were spent in the Torbay area. She

originally worked at a local further education college, where she had many different roles in different

departments. She has worked in management information systems, dealing with all aspects of admis-

sions and examinations, and as a department administrator for health and social care. She joined EF

International Academy in 2005.

Andy Scott Economics and business

After graduating with a degree in business from the University of York, Andy Scott spent three

years working for PricewaterhouseCoopers before pursuing a career in education. He has taught

economics and business related subjects in a variety of schools for over 26 years, including 17 years

spent in senior management positions. He holds a master’s degree in business mangement from

Keele University and is an international training consultant and examiner for Cambridge International

Examinations. He is also an examiner for AQA and OCR, two of Britain’s major examination boards.

Vicki-Marie Venn Teacher of Sociology and Psychology

Vicki graduated from the University of the West of England with a first class degree in Sociology and

Social Policy. She then completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Cardiff University and

her Masters in Education at Exeter. Vicki has taught social science subjects for seven years, including

A level Sociology and Psychology. She is the co-author of the Teacher’s Support Guide for AS Sociol-

ogy and has contributed to the AS Success in Sociology student textbook. Vicki joined EF Internation-

al Academy in September 2011, where she currently teaches A level Sociology and IB Psychology.

Andrew N Scott Mathematics

After gaining an honours degree in mathematical studies from Liverpool University and a master’s in

operational research, Andrew Scott worked for several years at the National Institute of Agricultural

Engineering. Following a postgraduate certificate in education, he has enjoyed teaching advanced

mathematics for many years.

Darren Thomas Activities

Darren Thomas attended Somerset CAT qualifying with distinction in Electrical Installation and Electro-

Technical Design. After working for several years as a qualified electrician he became a Leader for EF

Language Travel, Torquay. After working in a promotional position in the destination he was made an

Activity Organiser for Language Travel, overseeing a team of two hundred local leaders and course

leaders. Darren was involved in organising some of EF UK’s mass events, including Summeranza, an

event for over a thousand students visiting an amusement park and watching international bestselling

artist Ke$ha. Darren joined EF International Academy as the Activity Organiser in September 2011 and is

responsible for organising all school parties, trips and extracurricular activities.

Sid Ward English

Sid Ward graduated in 2001 with a degree in English and in early 2002 he gained his TEFL qualification

with Saxoncourt Training in London and soon after he secured a teaching position in Tokyo, Japan.

After two and a half years working for the same company Sid moved to East Java, Indonesia where

he worked for twelve months for EF English First. He moved back to the UK in early 2006 and worked

for the London Mayor’s Transport Office before moving to Oman in the Middle East in 2007. After two

years working for a higher education college in the capital, Muscat he was employed by the Royal Air

Force of Oman to teach English at their Air Force Technical College. Sid was soon promoted to As-

sessment and Curriculum Development Officer. A role he held until his return to the UK in April 2011.

In 2008 Sid gained his Masters in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL) from the

University of Sunderland and since then he has focused on English for Academic Purposes including

English assessments such as IELTS and the Cambridge set of ESOL examinations.

Neville Williams Mathematics

Neville Williams is a mathematics teacher and university advisor. He graduated from Coventry University

and Trinity College, Oxford. He began his career training as an accountant, but soon decided to become

a teacher. After teaching for a number of years he and his wife trained as missionaries and taught in

Zimbabwe for several years. On returning to the UK he worked in boarding schools as a mathematics

teacher and housemaster. He has many years of experience teaching A-Level mathematics and further

mathematics, and he is trained to teach IB mathematics at higher level.