Our Current Session Leaders
All Of Our Instructors are Enhanced DBS Checked.
This page may be updated from time to time and session leaders may vary on any given course.
Zoe Birri
Founder
Zoe founded The Sunningdale Academy to pursue her passion for teaching children the importance of social skills and confidence.
Zoe graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in International Relations and then joined Royal Dutch Shell, where she worked in communications, social investment and crisis management. Zoe has lived in the UK for most of her life and lives in Surrey with her husband and two children.
Jo Bryant
Etiquette
Jo Bryant is one of the UK's leading etiquette consultants. She worked at Debrett's for over a decade, is the editor of more than 15 acclaimed books on etiquette and modern manners, and regularly provides expert commentary for print and broadcast media.
Emma Dupont
Etiquette
Emma is one of London's leading etiquette and protocol coaches. Emma offers a unique mix of traditional British etiquette combined with a contemporary approach to the subject.
Victoria Ball
Interpersonal Communication
Victoria is a specialist in interpersonal and intercultural communication. As a consultant she works with individuals of all ages to help them develop their emotional intelligence and people skills. She believes that being able to build strong relationships with people from diverse backgrounds is vital for success and is best learnt early on. Victoria is a graduate of Cambridge University and regularly coaches for Debrett's, tying together traditional etiquette coaching and interpersonal skill building. Prior to consulting, Victoria enjoyed a successful career as a television and stage actress, after training through both LAMDA and RADA exam systems.
Eilidh McCormick
Public Speaking and Presentation
Posture and Body Language
Eilidh is an actress who has also been teaching drama for 20 years.
She has also taught, directed and facilitated workshops for many companies including Italia Conti Associates Clapham, PACE Theatre Company, Coatbridge College, CITV, Northwood College for Girls, Cultural Enterprise, Poorboy Theatre Company, Artemis Scotland, Matrix Theatre Company, Ed Coms, and UK Theatre School to name a few. These have been with a variety of ages from 3 years old right up to working with adults of varying experiences and backgrounds. Disciplines taught have included acting, voice, accents & dialects, acting for camera, LAMDA exam classes both individual and group sessions covering the syllabus, presentation skills for creative entrepreneurs, history based workshops in character, Shakespeare, storytelling, devising and collaboration.
Laura Poulteney
Emotional Wellbeing, Friendships
As an experienced teacher, Laura discovered so many of her children lacked the self-belief and confidence to be who they are and achieve all they wanted to. Now Laura is on a mission to eradicate self doubt and negative self talk, working closely with children and parents to unlock self-belief, self-esteem and discover that unshakeable confidence to shine bright.
Sue Webb
Emotional Wellbeing
Sue is a highly experienced educator and professional coach. She works extensively with children and young people, teaching them life skills such as resilience, self esteem, and how to cope with anxiety and stress.
Rachael Staines
Mindfulness
Rachael is a qualified Mindfulness Coach and teacher. She specialises in supporting under 18-year olds using MBSR (Mindful Based Stress Reduction). Her long experience as a secondary school teacher: training in MBSR (mindful based stress reduction), GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), panic attacks and qualification in level 3 Certificate in counselling – CPCAB enhances her work too.
Amanda Cairns
Friendships, Emotional Wellbeing, Anxiety
Amanda works as a confidence coach with young children, helping them to work on confidence, self-esteem and managing anxiety. Amanda is also a fully qualified LAMDA teaching coach and has been in performing arts for 17 years, working closely with primary schools around Berkshire as a drama teacher and musical theatre coach. Amanda has a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts and has a passion for helping children feel empowered, confident and inspired.
Faiza Yasin
Physical Wellbeing, Nutrition and Mindfulness
Faiza is an Associate Nutritionist and works with Great Ormond Street Hospital as a Governor and Patient Representative, having spent most of her childhood there for congenital heart disease. She is also a professional yoga teacher in Berkshire and London and recently qualified as one of the first ever International Cardiovascular Disease and Rehab Yoga instructors.
Patricia Paisis-Oakwell
Fitness and Nutrition
Patricia is a Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor and Level 5 Nutritional Therapist. She is passionate about helping people of all ages to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle.
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She focuses on all areas of health and wellness working with the mind, body and soul.
Maria Bello
Wardrobe, Colour and Body Positivity
Maria Bello qualified as a Personal Stylist and Image Consultant over four years ago and has since worked for some of
the biggest names in fashion. Maria works with young clients on a daily basis and has also styled Eva and Karina
Samms for the Downton Abbey film premier. She is also a Body Positivity ambassador and loves teaching about
colours.
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Lesley Wrankmore
Wardrobe and Colour
Lesley Wrankmore trained in Colour, Style and Image eight years ago and is now one of the UK's leading Corporate & Personal Stylists. Lesley brings to our sessions the secrets of keeping your wardrobe fun, smart and appropriate for all occasions and teaches wardrobe management skills that will last a lifetime.