Speakers

Good humoured, empathetic, and pragmatic, Jacqueline understands the dilemmas parents face in their search for the right school and relishes identifying schools’ unique qualities and ethos in her reviews. After gaining a degree in English and Drama from the University of Exeter, she specialised in upper years in Kent primary schools as a senior leader. Educated at Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School and then The King’s School, Canterbury, after spending some years in France, she returned with her family to her old stomping ground. She believes there is very little they haven’t experienced in education (from a prestigious traditional London boarding school to Steiner and everything in between). With her experience in the 11+ process, Jacqueline has supported parents in preparation, appeals and exploring alternative options. The boarding school journey is close to her heart, having been a day pupil in a majority boarding school, then later experiencing all flavours of the boarding experience in her family from occasional, weekly and full-on full-time! ‘Boarding isn’t one size fits all and that’s why I love reviewing boarding schools’ she says. Jacqueline has taught and co-ordinated home school groups, specialised 1:1 SEN, led holistic educational workshops, and is a freelance writer. ‘The system can be overwhelming – but with a calm, rational, child-centred approach, there is always a good solution. When we relocated back to the UK, it felt as if we’d landed on the moon with the shifting educational landscape. Cue The Good Schools Guide, where I’m now delighted to help parents transform the uncertainty of their child’s education into an exciting reality.’