Teaching team

Claire Scott BA (Hons), DTEFLA Teacher

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Claire joined ELC Chester permanently in 2007. She first taught at the school in 1988 during the summer period while home from teaching in Italy. She has taught English in Italy, Turkey and Spain. She works mainly on the General English and Examination courses.

Jane Cox BEd (Hons) Teacher

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Jane joined ELC Chester in 2005. She has worked in a number of countries throughout her career including Italy, Switzerland, Singapore and Indonesia. She teaches mainly on the 25+ course.

John Marquis BA (Hons), MA Ap Ling, DELTA Teacher and Course Director

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John joined ELC Chester in 1998 having previously taught in Japan and Poland. Before teaching he was involved in drama and stand up comedy. John is interested in using drama techniques in the classroom.

Kerry Rimmer BA (Hons), PGCE, DTEFLA Teacher and Course Director

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Kerry has worked at ELC Chester for more than 20 years. As well as English, she is a qualified teacher of German and French, and taught English in Germany. For part of the year Kerry works as part of the Academic Management team as a Course Director. For the rest of the year she teaches on the full range of courses.

Administration team

Anna Peace Groups Coordinator

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Anna is responsible for quoting and coordinating bookings for groups. She first joined ELC Chester in 2019 as Social Activities Organiser. Anna has been Groups Coordinator since 2023.

Gabi Maraver Marketing + Student Services Manager

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Gabi is the Marketing and Student Services Manager at ELC Chester. She oversees the administration team in Chester and also helps marketing ELC schools. Originally from Venezuela, Gabi was a student at ELC Chester studying for Cambridge Proficiency. She then joined the school as a staff member in 2010.

Gareth Timms Social Activities Organiser

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Gareth is the ELC Chester’s Social Programme Organiser. He is responsible for managing and promoting all of our social programmes.

Lucy Swinnerton Administrative Assistant

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Lucy provides administrative support to the team. She joined ELC Chester in 2013. She was born in Chester and has been volunteering in classrooms at local primary schools since she was 17.

Lucy Walker Accommodation & Welfare Officer

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Lucy is the Accommodation & Welfare Officer at ELC Chester. She joined the school in 2023. She is responsible for accommodation and welfare. Together with the Centre Manager she also leads on safeguarding.

Management team

Jo Whittick BA (Hons), Dip TEFLA Academic Manager

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Jo joined ELC Chester in 1995 and became Academic Manager in 2009. She has taught in Portugal and speaks Portuguese fluently. Jo’s main academic interests are teaching pronunciation and professional development of academic staff.

Nigel Warwick BA, MA, DELTA Centre Manager

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Nigel is responsible for the day-today running of ELC Chester. He joined the school in January 2024. Nigel has nearly 30 years' experience as a teacher of English language, teacher trainer (CELTA), academic manager and centre manager in the UK and Poland.

Phil Hopkins MA (TESOL), BSc (Hons), DTEFLA Chief Executive

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Phil has overall responsibility for ELC and the 3 schools it operates. Day-to-day he is primarily responsible for strategic direction, administration and marketing. He is also the designated Child Protection Officer in Brighton. Phil joined ELC in 2001. He has over 35 years' experience in ELT, as a Principal, academic manager, teacher trainer (CELTA and DELTA) and teacher in the UK, Greece, Spain and Kuwait.