Oxford Online School

Ajla

Ajla Duckollari

Principal

Ajla graduated from Cardiff University in 2011, where she completed her BA (Hons) in Business Management. Shortly after completing her Bachelor’s degree, Ajla joined Oxford Business College as an Admissions Officer and slowly worked her way up to the position of Senior Manager within the admissions and marketing department.

She then left the college after 5 years of service to further develop her skills within the education sector and has since worked for multiple UK HE institutions in senior management roles.

In 2019, Ajla took a sabbatical in order to undertake a Postgraduate course at Ulster University, where she completed an MSc in Marketing. In addition to this, she was able to complete a short programme in Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets at Harvard University in the same year. Whilst studying, Ajla took on the role of Head of Recruitment and Marketing at CEC, where she primarily focused on growing the company to an international level and supporting its many young students to join top UK schools.

While working in education for over a decade, Ajla has always shown great determination to support students in reaching their educational goals. The founding of Oxford Online School is a further step in this process and through it, she hopes to reach out to even more students around the world to help them achieve academic and social success.

A. Benton

Head of Academic/ History & Sociology Teacher

Ms Benton education journey began at CATS College Canterbury, where I undertook A Levels in History, Economics, and Sociology. Currently, Ms Benton is finishing my MPhil at the University of Cambridge in Education (Knowledge, Power, Politics).

She hold a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in Political Sociology and a bachelor’s in Ancient History from King’s College London. Throughout her academic journey, Ms Benton have underpinned a love and passion for pursuing knowledge, equitable distribution, and access to academia in all of my work. Ms Benton current dissertation in education uses historical, sociological methods to track and analyse the induction of patriotism and modes of citizenship in policy and curriculum.

Laura Schmidt

Head of Student Recruitment

Laura holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Demography and Tourism and also has over 25 years of international experience in the luxury hotel and travel industries, where she has worked with many well-known brands. Fluent in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, Laura is a truly multicultural executive: she has lived in New York, Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Oxford.

Consequently, she has a broad understanding of other cultures, including those of many countries that are either clients or suppliers of Oxford Online Learning.

This experience means that Laura can be depended upon to provide the required synergy and service to attain the level of excellence we expect our prospective students and their families to demand. As a mother of two globally-multilingual young adults, who have studied in both Spain and the UK, she has experienced first hand the concerns of learners studying abroad and their families.

Adrian Budd

Economics Teacher

After studying Accounting and Finance at University, Adrian worked as an Accountant for several years, finally becoming a Chartered Accountant in 2001. He then progressed to teaching professional Accountancy qualifications part-time in the evenings before moving on to teach full-time in 2004.

Since this date, Adrian has worked at a number of select schools in both the state and private sector, with the majority of his time spent at tutorial colleges. His preference is for teaching small groups or one-to-one tuition, both of which have proven from personal experience to be particularly effective. He is equally at home teaching Accounting, Business or Economics, giving him a broad spectrum of knowledge that enhances his teaching credentials.

His time at tutorial colleges has also meant an almost exclusive focus on A Level and GCSE classes, He is familiar with all of the major Exam Boards but has recently tended to focus on Edexcel, which is currently part of the Pearson educational group. We are delighted to have him working for us at Oxford Online due to his excellent record of results and his expertise in exam preparation.

In addition to exam success, Adrian likes his students to take an interest in the subjects outside of his lessons, encouraging them to follow a variety of media and to make use of the many online resources available to them. He believes that those who do this tend to cope particularly well in business-related subjects. In the past year, he has taught many students purely online and has found such independent learning techniques particularly effective as students have more to offer in lessons, can share resources and keep abreast of business developments and terminology. His passion for teaching stems from seeing the improvement that students make in a short time with the correct guidance and attitude, and then being able to watch them fulfil their potential.

Roald Morgan, MA (Oxon)

Economics Teacher

Roald pursued his studies at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he honed his academic prowess. With an impressive teaching career spanning over two decades, Roald has primarily focused on instructing students in economics at the A-level.

Although born and educated in the UK, Roald is half German and spent a decade living and working in Spain. He is a great believer in international education and in the importance of developing language skills. This invaluable period significantly shaped his worldview, reinforcing his belief in the power of international education and the profound importance of nurturing language skills. Roald is dedicated to fostering a dynamic educational environment that empowers students to become global citizens, enabling them to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with cultural fluency and intellectual acuity.

Dr. Moosa Yusuf

EPQ and Economic Teacher

Dr Yusuf has previously graduated from four different universities, where he has specialized in economics, accountancy, finance, and actuarial mathematics. In 2015, Moosa completed his chartered accountancy qualification from ACCA (UK), and worked as a part-time accountant alongside his studies in the United Arab Emirates. In 2017, Moosa graduated with his BA in Economics (Cum Laude – first equivalent) from the American University of Sharjah.

During the course of his study, Moosa was also a student tutor appointed by the School of Business Administration as an hourly paid tutor under the student-tutoring scheme. Moosa has also gathered teaching experience for a year as a part-time lecturer at a financial training center in the United Arab Emirates, tutoring subjects in finance and accountancy for the ACCA qualification. Moosa also completed his BSc in accounting from the Oxford Brookes University and graduated with his MSc in accountancy from the University of London, through a research-based pathway offered to ACCA affiliates. Meanwhile, he pursued his passion in economics by studying for his MSc in economics at the University of Nottingham, where he passed his degree with a merit, and a distinction in his dissertation. In 2019, Moosa started his doctoral research in economics at the University of Salford. During his doctoral study, Moosa has published his research in a reputed economics journal, presented his research at three different conferences, and provided a series of seminars in quantitative research methods for postgraduate researchers at the University of Salford. In February 2022, Moosa joined the Oxford Online School, as an economics tutor and a mentor for students wanting to pursue their extended project qualification (EPQ) in economics and related fields. His pedagogical approach emphasizes on the importance of conceptual learning that helps students understand key phenomena that are situated at the core of their subjects. This is achieved by starting from the basics of every topic, using relevant case studies, and establishing inter-disciplinary links that enable the students to form connections between what they have learnt and what they will be learning.

V Burns

V. Burns

English Teacher

Ms Burns read English and Sociology at Liverpool Hope University, where she achieved a BA Combined Honours Degree in English/Sociology. Since, Ms. Burns has worked in many different Education Settings, from Nurseries to Primary Schools and Secondary Schools. With over 24 years of work experience in the field, her specialism is in English/Literacy.

Dr. K. Swe

Biology Teacher

Dr. Swe is a medical doctor and cancer research scientist at Cancer Research UK. She received my Masters in Cancer Research and Precision Oncology from the University of Glasgow. She have been teaching Biology and preparing students for Medicine for more than six years whilst working as a clinician scientist.

E Alonso

Ms. E. Alonso-Ezbakh

Spanish Language Teacher

Ms Alonso-Ezbakh completed a BA in Spanish Philology as well as a C.A.P (Spanish teaching qualification) at Universidad de Oviedo, Spain. After moving to London and undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), she began a teaching career that has spanned over two decades. Prior to joining Oxford Online School. Ms Alonso- Ezbakh created and established a successful Spanish Department at one of London’s biggest Sixth Form Colleges, where she oversaw the planning, delivering and assessment of the A level Spanish programme.

Ms R. Rai

Business and Economics Teacher

Ms Rai holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics with Mathematics and Statistics. She completed her Master specializing in Econometrics. With approximately ten years of experience teaching Economics and Business Studies, Ms. Rai has taught on boards such as International Baccalaureate, Edexcel, Cambridge, and AP. Ms Rai has also served as an examiner for International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), Edexcel, and WJEC CBAC (Economics and Business).

Ms B. Ozbal

Turkish Language Teacher

Ms. Ozbal graduated from Istanbul University and completed her PGCE at the same uni. She is a passionate and dedicated high school teacher from Istanbul, Turkey, now teaching GCSE and A-Level, and also working as an assessment associate at Pearson UK for GCSE/IGCSE Turkish exam.

During her education life, she has developed herself in research, self-motivation, entrepreneurship, and acquiring different skills. She had the opportunity to see 30+ countries with her travel, discover, and learn motto, and she aims to carry this vision further by touching the lives of her students and the environment.

Ben Solly

Mathematics Teacher

Ben is an exceptionally talented mathematician who has dedicated his life to the pursuit and teaching of mathematics. He obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from the prestigious Warwick University, renowned for its strong focus on mathematical education and research.

Throughout his academic journey, Ben demonstrated exceptional skills and a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. He achieved remarkable success, ranking among the top 100 participants in several renowned mathematics Olympiads. His participation in these competitions not only showcased his exceptional problem-solving abilities but also highlighted his passion for exploring the intricacies of mathematical puzzles and challenges. Driven by his love for mathematics and a desire to share his knowledge with others, Ben embarked on a teaching career over five years ago. Since then, he has been inspiring and guiding countless students in their mathematical journeys. His unique ability to break down complex concepts into understandable and relatable terms has earned him a reputation as an outstanding educator.

Dr Ibicek

Physics and Mathematics Teacher

Dr. Ibicek is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in education and a strong passion for teaching. Holding a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Dr Ibicek has been sharing her expertise and knowledge with students since 2008, covering GCSE and A-level Mathematics and Physics.

With an impressive academic background and years of teaching experience, Dr Ibicek brings a wealth of knowledge and practical understanding to the virtual classroom. Specializing in Mathematics and Physics, she has been an integral part of the Oxford Online School for the past three years, delivering exceptional instruction and guidance to students worldwide.Beyond her role as a subject teacher, Dr. Ibicek plays a pivotal role in assisting students applying for competitive schools and universities globally. She understands the intricacies of the application process and strives to help students present themselves in the best possible light, ensuring they stand out among their peers. Moreover, Dr Ibicek has successfully guided students in preparing for national and international Olympiads, helping them excel and achieve their goals in these prestigious academic competitions. Dr. Ibicek’s extensive experience, educational achievements, and commitment to student achievement make her a highly valued member of the Oxford Online School community. Her passion for education, combined with her exceptional teaching abilities, ensures that students under her guidance receive an outstanding and transformative learning experience.

Galiya Samylicheva

Russian Language Teacher

Galiya is a highly skilled and passionate Russian Language Tutor with extensive experience in teaching Russian at the GCSE and A-level levels. She completed her studies at the prestigious Pushkin Russian State Language Institute, known for its excellence in language education.

Having developed a deep understanding of Russian language, literature, and culture during her time at Pushkin Institute, Galiya embarked on a teaching career in 2013. Since then, she has been sharing her knowledge and expertise with students, helping them excel in their Russian language studies. Galiya’s teaching experience extends to various independent schools, including her notable contribution to Queen Ethelburga’s School. Her commitment to providing a high-quality education, coupled with her dedication to her students’ success, has made her a respected figure in the field of Russian language instruction.

Gareth Howe

Computer Science Teacher

Gareth is a dedicated and experienced Computer Science tutor with a strong academic background and a wealth of practical industry experience. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCSE) from Sheffield University, which has equipped him with the necessary pedagogical skills to effectively teach computer science.

Gareth’s passion for technology and his desire to share his knowledge led him to pursue a career in teaching after several years working as a Computer System Engineer. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Information Technology from Liverpool University, where he honed his technical skills and gained a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of computer science. With his extensive industry experience as a Computer System Engineer, Gareth brings a practical perspective to his teaching, allowing students to grasp the real-world applications of computer science concepts. He believes in bridging the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that his students not only understand the fundamental principles but also develop the skills necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving field of computer science.

Nicole

Nicole Allison BMus (Ed) HDE

Music Teacher

Nicole is an experienced music educator with a passion for teaching and inspiring students of all ages. With over 30 years of teaching experience in the United Kingdom, Nicole originally trained in Cape Town, South Africa. Her expertise lies in teaching GCSE and A level Music, where she has dedicated over half of her career.

Nicole thrives on discovering unique methods and strategies that motivate individuals to reach their full potential in performing, composing, and honing their listening skills. She firmly believes in tailoring her approach to suit the needs and interests of each student, fostering a love for music and helping them achieve their personal best.In addition to her expertise in music theory and education, Ms. Allison is also a skilled piano instructor. In September 2022, Ms. Allison joined the esteemed Oxford Online School, where she has quickly become a valuable member of the teaching team. Her commitment to excellence and her dedication to nurturing musical talent make her an invaluable asset to the school and its students.

Ms Perveen

Psychology Teacher

Ms Perveen holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She went on to compete her PGCE at the Institute of Education at University College of London. She has over 12 years of experience teaching in several schools including high achieving academic independent schools based in England.

She has taught Psychology, Sociology and the EPQ with several examination boards including AQA, OCR and WJEC. She completed her MSc in 2012 specializing in Occupational Psychology with the University of Leicester. Ms Perveen is currently a senior examiner for Psychology (AQA) and an EPQ external moderator. She also works as an EPQ subject specialist advisor for the AQA board.

Dr Igor Boczarow

Chemistry IGCSE/A-level

Igor Boczarow, PhD graduated with a Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Oxford. He completed his Master’s thesis under the supervision of Professor William Barford from the Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. His research focused on the analysis of optical excited states in organic semiconductor polymers. He then earned his Ph.D. in the group of Professor Harry Anderson from the Department of Organic Chemistry, where he specialized in the synthesis of porphyrin chromophores for studies of action potentials.

Dr Igor has joined Oxford Online School and leads IGCSE and A-level chemistry subject. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, drawing and spending time with his family.

Dr Rodica

Chemistry/Physics IGCSE/A-level

Rodica is a PhD in Physical-Chemistry/Chemistry from Al.I.Cuza University of Iasi, Romania and Bologna University, Italy, with a thesis in the area of Self-Organized Reactions. During her PhD, she collaborated with Prof Rinaldo Cervellati from Bologna University, Italy, and Prof Stanley Furrow from Pennsylvania State University, US. She introduced various Electrochemistry and Spectrophotometry methods in elucidating reaction mechanisms.

After completing her PhD, she developed an interest in the fabrication of materials (coatings, nanowires, multilayers) with diverse properties using electrochemical methods. She embarked on various projects in multiple countries until 2015 when she relocated to England. Since then, she has been teaching both in-person and online in FE/HE colleges and private schools. Additionally, she has joined Oxford Online School, leading chemistry and physics classes.

Salma

Iprimary Teacher

Salma pursued her academic journey in Communication Studies at Sheffield and subsequently attained her PGCE. Her career as a Primary educator has led her to work in esteemed schools across the globe. Recently joining Oxford Online School, Salma brings her vast experience and dedication to the platform. She holds a fervent passion for equity and inclusivity in education. Salma ardently supports students with specific learning difficulties, ensuring they receive thoughtfully tailored and personalized teaching

Hannah

Iprimary teacher

Hannah recently joined the Oxford Online School and brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge. She is an experienced teacher and tutor who has taught across various grade levels and subjects in three countries: New Zealand, the United States, and England. Hannah obtained her Bachelor’s degree in French and English, as well as her Postgraduate teaching diploma, from the University of Auckland. She is on the cusp of completing her Master’s Degree from Keele University here in England, with a dissertation focus on the impact of Digital Education. Hannah’s diverse background and dedication to learning make her a valuable asset to our online academic community.

M. Tadevosyan

EPQ supervisor, Business

Mariam is a passionate advocate for global development and environmental sustainability. Originally from Armenia, she lived in Boston prior to moving across the Atlantic, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in International Development from King’s College London, as well as a Master’s degree in Global Environment, Politics, and Society from the University of Edinburgh.

With a diverse background spanning politics, economics, sociology, and sustainability, Mariam brings a multifaceted approach to addressing complex global challenges and inspiring students to pursue meaningful interactions with the world around them. Mariam’s commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond the classroom, as she actively engages in initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development and promoting environmental stewardship. She is excited to leverage her skills and knowledge in educating the next generation of leaders.

Dr A. Teiermayer

EPQ supervisor

Dr Teiermayer has completed MSc courses in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Szeged, Hungary, along with his PGCE course at the same university. After almost 10 years of experience in teaching his subjects at secondary school level, he enrolled in a PhD course “Teaching of Physics” at the Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary. After several years spent in different secondary schools in Hungary, he joined the Institute of Physics and Mechatronics at the University of Pannonia, Veszprem, Hungary. In the next five years, he taught general and applied physics at the university and got more involved in practical applications of mechatronics. Dr Teiermayer moved to the United Kingdom in 2017 taking up a job at Blundell’s School, Tiverton as teacher of Physics and Computer Science in KS3-KS5.
His research interests include using everyday phenomena and experiments in creating computational problems in Physics and Maths, and applying computers and microcontrollers in the science classroom. He is the author of a Physics textbook for Year 7 students in Hungary and of several research articles. He runs extracurricular activities such as Electronics and Physical Computing, too.

Dr Teiermayer joined Oxford Online School in November 2023 as a tutor of EPQ (STEM) and he is excited to help students throughout their journey whilst working on their EPQ research.