Fully accredited by AEGIS and the Boarding Schools' Association, we support parents to educate their children internationally. We are also Mental Health First Aid trained and certified Safer Recruiters, so our team and hosts all work according to the highest safeguarding guidelines.
In 2024, English Country Guardians became part of the Academic Families group, which opened up a wealth of resources for their students and parents. With a combined total of over 50 years experience, we offer the highest quality support - from your first exploration of British education to boarding school selection and admissions, right through to your child's last day in the UK.
Scroll down or click on the images below to learn more about us.
Sophie manages our Guardianship support and is responsible for our students’ UK arrangements and safety. Her UK-wide team of Guardians provide local support. Sophie's British Council training ensures her comprehensive knowledge of the UK education system and visa regulations ensuring our families are professionally supported at all times.
Sophie has lived in Kenya, Australia and the UK. At school, she swam competitively at national level then taught and coached swimming for 7 years at top schools, clubs and Loughborough University. Her natural teaching skills and easy rapport with our students ensure their education goes beyond the classroom as they develop their independence safely and happily.
Helen came to the UK from Mainland China to study for her Masters degree in 2002. Speaking both Mandarin and Cantonese, Helen helps parents and schools with understanding language and culture. Helen is responsible for safer recruitment and ensuring that host families and drivers are committed to keeping students safe from harm.
Maki came from Japan to study Business at university, worked in a Japanese Bank in London, established a Maths tutoring company and helped her own 3 children excel in the UK education system. Maki now enjoys being a Guardian, helps our Japanese parents with any language issues and teaches ECG students how to make sushi!
Mari came from Finland with a Masters degree in Economics and Business Administration. Her own sons both attended UK boarding schools before studying at Bath and Cambridge universities. Mari enjoys being a Guardian and helps ECG students achieve their goals.
Joanna founded English Country Guardians and now acts as an Educational Advisor. She brings a wealth of experience as a qualified teacher with over 20 years of experience. She has an outstanding knowledge of the English education system and the needs of international students. Her own 3 children have all attended Oxford or Cambridge universities.
Lorna founded Academic Families - our parent company - in 2012 and became the owner of English Country Guardians in 2024.
With 30+ years’ experience in business and as a former expat mother, Lorna leads the English Country Guardians team to deliver our premier personal and professional service. Lorna’s knowledge and expertise ensures that our students receive the best possible advice and support leading to their educational success.
In addition to recognition by the British Council, AEGIS, Boarding Schools' Association, English UK and Youth Mental Health England, Lorna was awarded an MBE by King Charles for Services to Young People.
Louise is responsible for introducing our services to families around the world, ensuring we provide the support they need. Louise has spent most of her life living outside the UK in SE Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Working for international travel and relocation companies has developed Louise’s cultural intelligence ensuring her excellent international understanding and relationships.
Coming to the UK for her own boarding school education and selecting the best boarding schools for her own 3rd culture children has given Louise a wealth of personal and professional experience. She is a great support to our parents – understanding their dilemma of choosing the right education for each child.
Michaela has been working in the Finance sector for 10 years. She enjoys working with numbers and creating systems that simplify them for others.
Michaela moved from South Africa to the UK in 2024 with her daughter and husband. She understands first-hand the challenges of moving internationally and adapting to a new culture. Helping her daughter adjust to the UK has equipped her with a newfound knowledge and empathy for our international students who are moving away from home.
Sara is responsible for recruiting our fabulous host families for both English Country Guardians and our parent company Academic Families.
Having hosted international students for 20+ years, Sara fully understands the hosting experience and requirements, making her ideally placed to recruit, support and match our hosts with students. She is also a grandmother with a daughter living in Germany.
Sara has worked in sales and customer-facing roles across different sectors and is approachable and pragmatic. She is enthusiastic about helping students overcome any challenges and make the most of their British education.
Get in touch and we will contact you to discuss your child's needs and explain how we can help you year-round.
© 2025 English Country Guardians | part of the Academic Families group
