Our Team
Meet a few of our dedicated team who continually strive to enrich the lives of their students
Sam Sheppard - Director
About Sam: Sam Sheppard has been an integral part of HRP Education since its inception four years ago. As the Director of Service, Sam is dedicated to helping students succeed, especially those who are often seen as beyond hope. He believes deeply in the transformative power of education and has witnessed firsthand the difference it can make in students' lives.
Passion: Sam is passionate about expanding HRP Education’s reach and impact. His vision is to create a school that caters to students who don’t fit the traditional education mold, providing them with opportunities to realise their full potential.
Outside of Work: When he's not at work, Sam enjoys immersing himself in virtual reality, where he can often be found in his flight simulator chair, exploring the cosmos as a space delivery man.
Dream Travel Destination: Sam dreams of visiting a Nordic-esque locale, ideally living inside an extinct volcano by the water and at the base of a mountain.
Favourite Book/Film: Currently, Sam is captivated by the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. He is also a big fan of Quentin Tarantino films.
Grateful For: Today, Sam is grateful for his sense of smell, particularly enjoying the aroma of freshly ground coffee.
Advice to Younger Self: "It's okay to be weird, it's okay to not fit the mould."
Proudest Accomplishment: Among his many achievements, Sam is particularly proud of starting his journey with his partner against the odds, considering it the best decision he ever made.
Learning: Sam is currently focused on mastering metacognition, striving to learn how to learn better.
Emily Lane - Business Operations Manager
About Emily: Emily Lane has been a dedicated member of HRP Education for three years, contributing significantly to the team. As the Operations Manager and Director, Emily is passionate about supporting vulnerable children and believes in the power of one-on-one support to help them achieve their goals.
Passion: Emily is deeply committed to adapting HRP Education’s practices to be attachment and trauma-informed. Her personal experience with childhood trauma fuels her dedication to forming healthy, nurturing attachments and building trust as a foundation for supporting young people.
Outside of Work: Emily loves spending time with her family and friends, but her heart belongs to her four adorable Maine Coons. She enjoys taking and sharing ridiculous pictures of her cats.
Dream Travel Destination: Emily dreams of visiting DisneyLand in America, combining her love for Disney, theme parks, and rides into one perfect destination.
Favourite Book: Emily's favourite book is "The Midnight Library," which explores the profound impact of our choices on our lives and relationships. She believes in the power of every choice, whether big or small.
Favourite Quote: "People enter our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime."
Grateful For: Emily is grateful to pursue her dreams in a job that holds personal significance and to be surrounded by a nurturing and skilled team of professionals.
Advice to Younger Self: "It gets so much better than you could ever imagine. You will find your clan, your purpose, and use your experiences to support and enhance the lives of others."
Proudest Accomplishment: Emily is proud of learning to be more brave, stepping outside her comfort zone where she believes true growth and magic happen.
Learning: Currently, Emily is learning to prioritise her time and take positive steps toward self-improvement.
Kirsty Bird - Tutor
About Kirsty: Kirsty Bird has been a dedicated tutor at HRP Education for three years, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her 18 years in the education sector. Her extensive background speaks to the expertise she offers in her role.
Favourite Thing About Working at HRP Education: Kirsty loves the flexibility, variety, and fun that come with her job. These elements make her work both enjoyable and fulfilling.
Passion: Kirsty is deeply passionate about the future of all her students, striving to support and guide them towards success.
Outside of Work: When she's not working, Kirsty loves spending quality time at home with her incredible family.
Dream Travel Destination: Kirsty's dream destination is the Maldives, a place she would love to visit.
Favourite Book/Film/Video Game: Her favourite is Lego Batman, which she enjoys immensely.
Favourite Quote: "This too, shall pass."
Grateful For: Kirsty is grateful for the ability to love and be loved, a sentiment she cherishes daily.
Advice to Younger Self: "Remember that you are on your own timeline."
Proudest Accomplishment: Kirsty feels a sense of pride every September when she sees her students go off to college and succeed.
Learning: Currently, Kirsty is learning Makaton, a language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate.
Maria Collins - Virtual/Remote Tutor
About Maria: Maria Collins has dedicated 25 years to the education sector, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to HRP Education, where she has been a tutor for the past 11 months. Her long-standing commitment to education is evident in her approach and dedication.
Favourite Thing About Working at HRP Education: Maria loves the dedication and commitment towards educating young people at HRP Education. She finds it heartwarming and fulfilling to be part of a team that makes a significant impact on students' lives.
Passion: Maria is deeply passionate about ensuring all young people have access to high-quality education, believing it to be a fundamental right.
Outside of Work: In her free time, Maria enjoys walking and appreciating the beauty of the countryside, finding it a perfect way to reconnect and relax.
Dream Travel Destination: Maria dreams of travelling to Canada, captivated by its unparalleled natural beauty.
Favourite Book/Film: Maria's favourite film is "Grease," a timeless classic that she enjoys watching.
Favourite Quote: "Teachers who love learning, teach children to love learning."
Grateful For: Maria is immensely grateful for her family and their health, considering it a precious blessing.
Advice to Younger Self: "Work hard but always take care of your physical and mental well-being."
Proudest Accomplishment: Maria is particularly proud of setting up a virtual online training business to support schools, parents, and carers with the education and emotional well-being of young people.
Learning: Maria believes in lifelong learning and finds something new and exciting to learn every day.
Fiona Gardner - Tutor
About Fiona: Fiona Gardner brings nine years of experience in the education sector to her role as a tutor at HRP Education. With over a year of dedicated service to the company, Fiona is known for her expertise in creating bespoke curricula tailored to each student's needs, fostering child-led opportunities for learning.
Favourite Thing About Working at HRP Education: Fiona's favourite aspect of working at HRP Education is the ability to craft individualised curricula, bringing learning to life and providing unique opportunities for each student.
Passion: Fiona is deeply passionate about ensuring access to education for all, believing it to be a fundamental right that should be available to everyone.
Outside of Work: In her leisure time, Fiona enjoys outdoor activities with her family and indulges her passion for baking when indoors.
Dream Travel Destination: Given the opportunity, Fiona would embark on a round-the-world cruise to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures across the globe.
Favourite Book/Film: Her favourite book is "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, and she enjoys watching "Pitch Perfect" as her go-to film choice.
Favourite Quote: From "The Alchemist": “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
Grateful For: Today, Fiona is grateful for her loving family, whose support enriches her life.
Advice to Younger Self: "Know your own worth and accept nothing less."
Proudest Accomplishment: Fiona takes pride in passing her HGV Class one exam on the first attempt, showcasing her determination and commitment to success.
Learning: Fiona embraces the idea that every day is an opportunity to learn and expand her knowledge base, recognising the importance of continuous personal and professional growth.
Clare Leech - Tutor
About Clare: Clare brings 14 years of experience in education to her role as a tutor at HRP Education, where she has been a valuable member of the team for three years. Her dedication and passion for helping children reach their full potential drive her work every day.
Favourite Thing About Working at HRP Education: Clare loves the variety that comes with her job, finding each day brings new and exciting challenges and opportunities.
Passion: Her passion lies in witnessing children achieve their full potential, finding it incredibly rewarding to be a part of their educational journey.
Outside of Work: In her free time, Clare is a Pokemon Go enthusiast and enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, embarking on little adventures together.
Dream Vacation Destination: For a dream vacation, Clare would choose Disneyland, believing it to be the happiest place on Earth.
Favourite Book/Movie/Game: Clare's favourites include "The Night Circus" for a read, "El Nuevo Cinema Paradiso" for a movie, and "Skylanders" for a game, showcasing her diverse interests.
Favourite Quote: Her favourite mantra is "Tikkun Olam," meaning 'repair the world,' a concept she strives to live by.
Grateful For: Clare is thankful for her car, which provides her with the freedom to go wherever she needs to be.
Life Advice: "Love yourself" – Clare believes self-love is an important journey worth pursuing.
Proudest Moment/Achievement: One of Clare's proudest achievements is starting anew in a different country, not once but twice, embracing the challenges and learning opportunities along the way.
Learning: Currently, Clare is learning 'Cat Language' through TikTok, finding it both fascinating and entertaining.
Steph Hallson - Tutor
About Steph: Steph brings five years of experience in education to her role at HRP Education, where she focuses on helping children achieve their goals. She is passionate about making learning enjoyable and believes it's key to effective education.
Favourite Aspect of Working in Education: Steph's favourite aspect of working in education is being able to make a difference in children's educational journeys and witnessing their progress, finding it incredibly rewarding.
Passion: She is passionate about making learning enjoyable and fun, believing it to be crucial for effective education.
Outside of Work: In her leisure time, Steph is a dedicated bookworm, enjoys playing board games, and participates in Dungeons and Dragons sessions with friends.
Dream Travel Destination: Steph dreams of exploring Asia, particularly South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Favourite Book/Film/Video Game: Her favourite book is 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt, favourite film is 'Steel Magnolias', and favourite video game is 'Hogwarts Legacy'.
Favourite Quote: Steph finds inspiration in the quote from 'The Fellowship of the Ring': "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
Grateful For: Today, Steph is grateful for her loving family and friends, who mean everything to her.
Life Advice: She would advise her younger self not to worry so much about others' opinions and to focus on what makes her happy.
Proudest Moment: Steph's proudest moment was completing her dissertation at university and receiving a first for it after months of hard work.
Learning: Currently, Steph is learning how to roller skate and play roller derby with Coventry Roller Derby, finding it challenging but enjoyable.
Nina Dulai - Tutor
About Nina: Nina Dulai is a seasoned educator with 28 years of experience in the education sector. She has been an invaluable tutor at HRP Education for the past 14 months, bringing her extensive knowledge and passion for teaching to the team.
Passion: Nina is deeply passionate about enabling learners to achieve their potential and make progress in their learning goals. She appreciates HRP Education's balanced focus on supporting both learners and staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, tailored teaching.
Outside of Work: When she's not helping students, Nina enjoys cooking and exploring new recipes. Her culinary interests provide a delightful contrast to her professional life.
Dream Travel Destination: If given the chance, Nina would love to travel to Barbados, a dream destination that promises relaxation and adventure.
Favourite Book: Nina's favourite story is "The Wizard of Oz," a classic tale that she finds enchanting despite the menacing flying monkeys.
Favourite Quote: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." This quote resonates deeply with Nina, reminding her of the importance of learning from the past, living in the present, and hoping for the future.
Grateful For: Nina feels grateful for the opportunity to help others throughout her life, a sentiment that underscores her dedication to her profession and her students.
Advice to Younger Self: Reflecting on her journey, Nina would advise her younger self to focus on personal growth, emphasising that self-investment is key to building a good future.
Proudest Accomplishment: Among her many achievements, Nina is particularly proud of helping young learners with disabilities gain access to further education and secure jobs, making a significant impact on their lives.
Learning: Currently, Nina is on a personal journey to learn more about herself and understand the impact she has made on others. This introspection highlights her commitment to continuous growth and self-improvement.
Nina's dedication to her students and her ongoing pursuit of personal and professional development make her a cherished member of the HRP Education family.