Our People

After 20 years of classroom teaching and lengthy experience of school management, Allison decided to set up Ely Classrooms when she relocated to the Ely area in 2021. For the previous five years she was Faculty Chair and Head of English at Stowe School in Buckingham, where she was instrumental in developing academic policies. She has been a GCSE and A Level examiner in English Literature for major exam boards and as a department leader and teacher, she has helped hundreds of students to achieve their goals.

Allison is passionate about books and reading and loves exploring ideas with pupils. She entered the teaching profession after a 12-year career as a current affairs journalist at BBC Radio, and she holds an M.Phil. in English Literature from Pembroke College, Oxford.

Maxine recently moved to Haddenham and began working for Ely Classrooms in September. She has many years of experience in administration and has previously worked for West Mercia Police, Sodexo and the NHS. Her main interest is amateur dramatics and has already been involved in local productions.

Mr Anjum has taught maths in London schools for 15 years, helping pupils of all abilities at KS2, KS3, and KS4 to achieve their potential. He gained Qualified Teacher Status from Southbank University, London. For the past four years, he has been a GCSE Maths examiner for a major UK exam board. He is currently teaching in a large Cambridge secondary school.

He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

Hannah is an experienced teacher of drama and public speaking. Through her company, LAMDA for Life, she offers face-to-face and online tutorials for the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations and qualifications. Hannah is a versatile theatre practioner with a wealth of experience in both performance and education. She has previously worked in prisons and children's homes and spent three years tutoring aspiring actors to improve their public speaking skills; she has also taught English as a Foreign Language in Russia.

She holds a BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies from The University of Huddersfield and Grade 8 in LAMDA Acting as well as Grade 8 in LAMDA Verse and Prose.

Katie has over 20 years of experience in teaching Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in and around London and has been in school leadership roles for the past nine years. She has recently relocated to Haddenham/Wilburton and has been supporting students in various local schools.

She has a private practice as an Advanced Drawing and Talking Practitioner, dedicated to enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of her pupils. She is passionate about books and reading and her approachable teaching style puts her students at ease.

She holds a BSc in Psychology from Nottingham University and a PGCE from Kingston University.

As a professional actor, John brings a wealth of experience to the stage and beyond. Since leaving drama school in 1984, he has appeared in numerous shows and TV programmes, including BBC One’s ‘A Thing Called Love’ and ‘Bedside Manners.’ As the owner of ‘Big Monty Productions,’ his own murder mystery dinner theatre company, John infuses every performance with his passion for storytelling.

Off-stage, he serves as a London tour guide, collaborating with established tour companies to lead visitors through the rich tapestry of the city's history and culture.

"John was so knowledgeable, friendly and engaging! It was clearly a passion for him to share his knowledge and love of the area and culture."

"He showed us the sights and had interesting information and stories about what we were seeing. The stories and information conveyed by a local makes all the difference."

John holds a Diploma in Dramatic Art from The New College of Speech and Drama.

James graduated from the University of Western Ontario (Canada) in 2006 with a BA in History and moved to the United Kingdom that same year. He completed his PGCE from the University of East Anglia in 2010 and began teaching in a local secondary school. James has worked for a high-performing secondary school as a KS3 and KS4 history teacher for over 13 years.

Throughout that time, he has held additional roles including being a Head of Department, teaching mentor and as a subject tutor for an Initial Teaching Training provider.

After a long and successful career as a software design engineer, followed by 10 years in the NHS as a senior data information analyst, Alex entered the field of GCSE and A level tutoring in 2016. His background in engineering and statistical analysis has proven invaluable in giving students a wider understanding of maths and science and their application to the ‘real world’. Alex has experience teaching students of all abilities from the naturally talented to those who struggle to grasp the basics.

He holds a BSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Strathclyde.

Joanne started her career in industry working in aerospace and general manufacturing. Later, she worked as a manufacturing systems engineer for a software consultancy. After gaining qualified teacher status, she worked at a local secondary school for 10 years. She now continues to teach part time and tutors privately and in schools.

She holds a BSc in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Loughborough University and MSc in Computer Integrated Manufacture from Cranfield University.

Philip was born and raised in Haddenham, son of one of the village’s longest-serving parish councillors. After Robert Arkenstall, Witchford and Hills Road, he attended university in both Leeds and Aberystwyth, and has since spent 26 years working in the education sector, in settings ranging from tough high schools to colleges of Further and Higher Education.

Philip worked in Devon and Essex, and then spent the last 20 years in Lancashire (completing qualifications in careers advice along the way), the last six of which he has spent teaching English, maths and ICT to apprentices of all ages. He has recently returned to the village to care for his parents, and to give something back to the local education system.

He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of Leeds and an MSc in Information and Library Studies from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Krystal is a dedicated and qualified person-centred therapist, specialising in working with Children, Young People, and Young Adults. She offers counselling sessions tailored to your needs, whether in the comfort of your home or through invigorating walk-and-talk therapy sessions.

Understanding the apprehension often associated with therapy, Krystal prioritises building trust and creating a safe space for you to express your innermost thoughts and feelings. Her client-led approach ensures sessions progress at your pace, empowering you to take control of your therapeutic journey.

With a rich background working with young people in diverse settings, including addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, Krystal brings a compassionate and holistic approach to her practice. Whether in the community or school environment, she is adept at supporting neurodiverse individuals and fostering their well-being.

Krystal holds a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling and is a registered member with the National Counselling Society. As an Alternative Provision Provider, she offers well-being and therapeutic support in local primary and secondary schools, drawing from over a decade of experience in various roles, including Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Young Carer’s Champion.

After 15 years working as a medicinal chemist within pharmaceutical research, Katy has worked across several educational sectors, as a teaching assistant and teacher in a junior school and as a private tutor in maths (up to GCSE) and science (offering physics, biology and chemistry to GCSE and chemistry to A level). Katy has experience of working with students with SEN, adults looking to achieve GCSE maths which they previously failed at school or GCSE equivalent exams and homeschooled students; she adapts her teaching to each student’s requirements.

She holds an MChem (chemistry) from the University of Sheffield.