Ashbourne College Staff

Mike Kirby founded Ashbourne College in 1981 and has since presided over its continuing academic development and growth in reputation.

Mike studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Toronto and Statistics in London. He is a key figure in the promotion of independent education in the UK through bodies such as the Council for Independent Education (CIE). He is a former main member for the Admissions Panel for Medicine at UCL.

Since joining Ashbourne in 2007, James has made an outstanding contribution to the academic development of the school. As well as leading an exceptionally successful English Department, he was instrumental in establishing Drama as a vital part of Ashbourne’s curriculum. He has enriched the college’s cultural life with initiatives that have ranged from the college newspaper to critical theory seminars. Above all, as Assistant Director of Studies and Leader of Faculties, he has guided and motivated countless Ashbourne students and has co-presided over the evolution of the college’s programme for critical theory with Wesley Rykalski.

Amy joined Ashbourne in September 2015 as Head of Faculty for Natural Sciences and teaches Biology. She also runs the Ashbourne Medical School Programme preparing students to go on to study Medicine and Dentistry at university.

As well being passionate about science, Amy also loves music. She plays the violin and has toured with King’s College orchestra.

Ruchi has a Masters in Computer Applications and Bachelors of Commerce with Honours from her native India. She started teaching ICT and Computing in the UK in 2001 and completed her PGCE in ICT from one of the most prestigious institutions, the Institute of Education, University of London. She joined Ashbourne in 2012 and has progressed to become a core member of our staff. She constantly tries to improve her teaching strategies and is passionate about promoting Computer Science at Ashbourne. Apart from her love for Bollywood, she enjoys reading fiction and aspires to play badminton well.

Dennis is a senior member of staff and has been working at Ashbourne for many years. He teaches a broad range of subjects including Politics, Film, Media, Law and Psychology. He is also a team leader for Politics A level examiners

Alberto is Faculty Head of Languages at Ashbourne and has been teaching at the college since 2000. He has been an Edexcel examiner since 2004. Alberto specialises in Spanish and Latin American culture. Most recently he has started teaching Theatre Studies. Alberto is also responsible for Ashbourne’s IELTS programme and organises the college’s language trips.

Will Stockland has studied both Western and Eastern art history at the universities of Edinburgh, London and Oxford. As well as being a teacher, Will has worked in charitable fundraising, in the wine trade and as a bookseller. He has been the editor of several magazines and writes book reviews for various publications. He has many hobbies, including book collecting and snooker, and he is an active member of his local church.

Will co-leads Ashbourne’s Oxbridge Entry Programme with Chris Masters.

Fran is Ashbourne’s Deputy Head of Year 13 and Drama Teacher. She has also been, for many years, a practitioner in both Mindfulness and Meditation techniques and a senior facilitator for one of the country’s leading Arts Educational companies, helping to deliver specialist programmes in student health and wellbeing and various PSHE issues – all of which were excellent preparation for the next step in becoming the college’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Fran believes that students feeling truly supported in all the aspects of their lives can impact on their ability to reach their potential; she is a committed advocate in supporting young people develop the skills and techniques that allow them to be proactive in their own wellbeing, whether academically, emotionally or socially.

Sean plays a very active role at Ashbourne both in terms of helping students reach their academic potential and in enjoying their experience at the college. 

He heads Ashbourne’s Engineering Programme and runs weekly engineering sessions involving seminars, talks, group projects and activities. Students benefit from his expertise and experience in these sessions as well as his guidance throughout their UCAS application process.

Sean began his career as an investment banker but quickly realised that teaching was his preferred profession. He joined Ashbourne in 2015. 

Sean is keen sportsman and plays lacrosse, football and tennis in his spare time, as well as skiing, surfing, sailing and mountaineering. He is also plays the drums, and does volunteering and fundraising for charities.

Emily joined Ashbourne in 2017 to teach Psychology and Biology after completing her PGCE and attaining a first class degree in Psychology. She is particularly interested in biopsychology and its influence on psychopathology.

Emily plays in a women’s netball league and loves coaching year 7 students.

Benvinda joined Ashbourne in July 2016. She is an experienced teacher who has taught French, Spanish and Portuguese in a variety of establishments including King’s College and the London School of Economics. She is an avid learner of languages, and very keen runner.

Cristiana Bottigella holds a Degree in Italian Literature and Contemporary Art from the Catholic University in Milan and obtained an MA in Cultural Policies from the City University, London. She had her first experience as an Italian teacher in a London College, after which she tutored numerous pupils at different levels in Germany, Austria and Italy. Cristiana has a strong interest in contemporary literature and art and currently teaches at Ashbourne as well as in other independent colleges in London

Arabella Bridge has been an essential part of Ashbourne’s successful English Department for more than ten years. The department started with a handful of students and is now one of the largest in the college. Arabella is a very experienced teacher of more than twenty years.

As one might expect she is a keen theatre-goer and an avid reader. Perhaps not so expected is that she is a Brighton and Hove Albion season ticket holder.

Joanna Budden is a valued and long standing member of Ashbourne staff. She taught abroad for a few years before she joined the college in 2010. She is also an Edexcel examiner.

Joanna is a keen traveller and loves the great outdoors.

Gerardo has been teaching Spanish for more than ten years including at Kings College London, City University and the Cervantes Institute, London.

Gerardo has a passion for Spanish and Latin American cinema and enjoys creating bespoke teaching materials in culture, film and politics for his students.

George teaches Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation, and has been head of Ashbourne’s Classics department since 2003. He is a member of the Association for Latin Teaching and is an assistant examiner for the OCR exam board and the Cambridge Pre-U.

Nick brings a wealth of experience and passion for teaching art to Ashbourne. He is a practising artist who has exhibited his work across the UK and has been teaching for more than seven years. He has also been an Edexcel exam moderator for GCSE and A level. Nick joined the college in 2016.

Richard has experience teaching Maths from pre-GCSE level all the way up to first year undergraduate. He has taught in both state and private sector schools in the UK and Australia. Richard also worked as a software developer for a company providing services for major UK retailers. He currently teaches GCSE and A level Maths at Ashbourne.

Richard is a rugby union fan.

John taught Economics at London Metropolitan University for 35 years before joining Ashbourne in 2015. He is the author of Taking the Fear Out of Economics, an introductory text for A level and first year degree students.

In his free time John likes to run, play the piano and garden. All of which he does slowly. He supports Celtic and West Ham.

Rupinder earned a degree in Industrial and Natural Resource Chemistry from Brunel University before working as an analytical chemist for several companies including SGS and Oxford Agricultural Services. In 1996 she retrained to become a teacher and completed her PGCE.

Rupinder first taught at Ashbourne 19 years ago, before leaving for the States where she lived and travelled for three years. She came back to Ashbourne in 2013. Combined with her love for teaching Maths, her positive personality and sense of humour she is committed to encourage an uncompromising work ethic amongst her students.

In her free time Rupinder enjoys studying French and reading historical fiction. She has a passion for travelling and learning about cultures.

Louise has been teaching German at Ashbourne for many years. She is half-German but also speaks French and Italian. Louise has lived in Berlin, and studied at Munich and Bologna as part of her degree. She enjoys opera, art history and creating textiles.

Pete worked at Channel 4 TV for 11 years as Marketing Manager and later writing and directing TV trailers before becoming a teacher in 2002. He joined Ashbourne in 2010.

Jane has been teaching English and Mandarin for more than 40 years in China and the UK, most recently to undergraduates at SOAS and Westminster University. 

Daniel has been teaching drama and preparing students for exams for the last eight years at comprehensive schools in London. He joined Ashbourne’s Drama department in 2018.

Daniel is passionate about theatre and has also directed his own productions including at Edinburgh Fringe festival. He’s a keen runner and footie fan who does regular charity runs and plays for a local 5-a-side.

Before coming to Ashbourne Jak worked in the advertising industry and as a television director in Thailand. Jak began at Ashbourne teaching photography but has since established a flourishing Graphics department within the Art Faculty over the many years she has been at the college. She has a particular interest in film production.

George has extensive experience as a computer scientist in the private sector developing and testing software as well as teaching software and games development, programming and lecturing in Computer Science. He is fluent in a wide range of programming languages, and is bilingual in English and Greek.

Caterina is a practising fine artist who has plenty of experience curating exhibitions and working with galleries. She has been teaching art and design for many years to a wide range of age groups including at GCSE and A level and joined Ashbourne’s Art Faculty in 2016.

Daniel is an experienced Economics and Business Studies teacher with many years of teaching under his belt.

Amina has experience teaching at GCSE and A level, as well as degree and masters level. She has developed cognitive-based teaching models to help improve students’ learning practices and is a founding fellow of KCL Academy of Educators. Amina teaches A level Biology at Ashbourne.

Amina does plenty of yoga and cycling to keep fit, is an aspiring baker and loves music and cinema.

Chella has been teaching Mathematics and Physics for more than twenty five years. Year after year he remains one of Ashbourne’s most popular Maths teachers. He has also headed up the college’s astro-physics club for many years.

Chella’s research interests are number theory and the development of renewable energy sources.

Virash has been teaching at Ashbourne for many years. Before joining the college he held the roles of Director of Studies and Head of Chemistry, as well as teaching Biology and Chemistry. In addition to his teaching roles, Virash has worked as an analytical chemist in industry, and was awarded a fellowship from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Virash helps prepare students for entry onto medicine related courses, as well as Oxbridge and offers instruction and guidance to students in their UCAS applications.

Leona was a former Head of Psychology and Forensic Science and has many years experience teaching in state and private sector education. She is also a qualified AQA examiner. Leona teaches A level Psychology at Ashbourne.

Leona loves snow and surf and is a ski instructor and competitive wakeboarder. She also rides horses, is a keen travel photographer and textile designer.

Madeeha teaches Maths and Further Maths at Ashbourne. She has been teaching Maths for more than 17 years in London and has been an assistant examiner for Edexcel.

In her spare time Madeena plays badminton, loves cooking and keeps up to date with current affairs and world development issues.

Abdul taught Pure Maths at Michigan State University for three years before returning to the UK. He transcribed parts of Newton’s Principia at Sussex University before joining Ashbourne College. Some of his research is published in leading journals and he has given seminars and conference speeches in the UK, USA and Germany.

Abdul enjoys cooking, long walks and day trips to small towns and villages.

Simone has been a specialist teacher working with students who have special educational needs for more than 15 years in London. She is Ashbourne’s SEN co-ordinator.

Imran is an experienced Maths and Physics tutor who has been teaching at independent colleges in London since 1998.

Imran loves sport and plays football, basketball and badminton, as well as practising Tai-Chi and Chi-Kung. He takes a keen interest in scientific documentaries and science in society.

Piers studied Composition at the Royal College of Music, and has worked extensively as a composer, writing many commissioned pieces. His work has been performed by the Britten Sinfonia, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, The Composers’ Ensemble and London Children’s Ballet. Pier’s background makes him particularly suited to teaching the composition unit at A Level and GCSE. Piers also actively runs Ashbourne’s choir and music clubs.

After graduating Chris worked as a research chemist in the field of semi conductors, then in investment banking before taking his PGCE to become a teacher. He has been at Ashbourne for many years. He is a demanding but popular and successful teacher.

Chris’ particular passion is chess; he runs a team in the London Chess League and together with Michael Peat runs the Ashbourne chess club.

Sarah has an MA in Human Sciences from Oxford University, and an MSc in Neuroscience from University College London. Before turning to teaching in 2010, she spent several years working in research, first at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge and at the Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems at Boston University, and has published original research papers in the fields of cognitive neuroscience and psychophysics. In her spare time, she is a folk musician and a marathon runner.

Sakae Osakabe has been teaching Japanese for many years in a wide range of schools and colleges within London.

Sakae’s hobbies include travel, drawing and flower arranging.

Sebastian has been teaching Geography and German (his native language) since 2011 in Australia, Southeast Asia and the UK. He also has experience as an AQA examiner in Geography.

Michael Wilkinson began teaching Government and Politics at Ashbourne in September 2009. Prior to this, he worked as a researcher at the Home Office gaining first-hand insight into the nature of the UK political system. Since leaving the Home Office he has been involved in freelance social research work at the University of Surrey, and he also tutors on some of their undergraduate courses in Sociology.

Mark teaches Science and Biology at Ashbourne. He has been teaching since 2011 and was head of Biology at his previous college.

Mark is a qualified tennis coach, keen cricketer and loves a visit to the zoo.

Nora is a native French speaker with more than twelve years teaching experience. She joined Ashbourne in 2016. She loves literature and culture and believes it can bring language alive. She also speaks Spanish and has taught it to GCSE.

Nora is a fan of literature, cinema and museums and loves solving crossword puzzles.

Suzanna is responsible for all applications and admissions to the college as well as managing overseas visa requirements and working with educational agents worldwide. She also produces marketing materials for the college. Suzanna joined Ashbourne soon after gaining her degree in 2014.

As Ashbourne’s admissions officer Marcus handles all new enquiries and meets potential students.

Marcus joined Ashbourne after graduating from university. He spent a year abroad in Alicante, Spain where he studied translation along with developing his language.

Marcus loves literature and languages, and speaks Spanish and English, and some German and Italian.

Chris works closely with Ashbourne’s admissions department interviewing and welcoming prospective and new students, and regularly travels overseas to meet with students and international agents. He is the college’s Oxbridge UCAS tutor and co-leads Ashbourne’s Oxbridge Entry Programme with Will Stockland.

Chris first graduated from the University of Oxford in Law, then undertook postgraduate work at the Courtauld Institute before beginning his teaching career in Law and History of Art.

Anh plays a main role in recruiting and welcoming new students to Ashbourne. She works closely with overseas agents to promote and facilitate student enrolment and often represents the college at recruitment events. She is also involved in producing marketing materials.

Anh loves world cuisine, performing arts and languages. She is fluent in English, Vietnamese and French.

Hien manages Ashbourne’s administration team as well as offering support to students, teachers, parents and everyone else involved with the college.

Hien is also responsible for many aspects of the college’s compliance with current education legislation; she has played an absolutely essential role in fulfilling the college’s obligations. She also manages Ashbourne’s Easter Revision Programme.

Georgina has extensive experience in independent education both in terms of providing academic and pastoral support and in all aspects of college administration, examinations, health and safety and finance.

As well as playing a key role in managing Ashbourne’s admin team Georgina provides compliance support and oversees health and safety issues.

Georgina loves travelling, playing netball and doing triathlons.

Blaize assists in the day-to-day tasks that ensure the smooth running of our Administration team. She is also PA to the Director of Studies.

Blaize has been working in administration for four years as well as providing health and social care support.

Mani is part of Ashbourne’s admin team as a Compliance and Registration Officer. He has previously worked in Human Resource in the care industry.

Mani is interested in culture and language. He has been a volunteer and has been involved in raising funds for earthquake victims in Nepal.

Juliana is responsible for keeping everyone up to date with what’s going on at Ashbourne through our social media platforms. She also works as part of the overall administration team.

Before joining Ashbourne Juliana worked in social media in Brazil and in a variety of administration jobs in London.

Tracy works with the Director of Studies, she provides academic support to students and runs personal mentoring programmes. She also helps recruits students from Nigeria and Ghana, and assists in college events such as the annual Revue.

Sean is responsible for a wide range of clerical and administrative duties at Ashbourne largely at our Old Court Place premises.

Sean loves football, plays violin and took part in London Youth Games 2010.

Fabio has been at Ashbourne since September 2005. He manages the day-to-day running of the college’s premises and communications systems. He is responsible for health and safety at the college as well as data protection and security of the college IT system. He has played a major role in the development of the college’s databases.

Fabio is passionate about football and has played professionally and semi-professionally in the UK. He recently led Ashbourne’s five-a-side team to the Independent Inter-college Championships in London.

Ruggero joined Ashbourne’s finance and exams team in 2016. He manages suppliers’ invoices, student payments and student certificates and transcripts. He also assists with organising and running the exams at Ashbourne.

Nancy is responsible for social media at the college. She previous worked in finance and exams at Ashbourne, and before coming to the college she worked as project leader for CAPCO, consultants to the financial services industry and as a business analyst for HSBC global asset management.

Nancy is a video gamer, photographer and secret pâtissier.