About College Guardians

Jane Eldridge - Director of Guardianship Services

Jane, our Director of Guardianship Services has spent time living and working abroad in Serbia, Croatia, Taiwan and Thailand. She has first-hand experience of the issues and concerns that face parents when making the decision to send their children to the UK to be educated. Jane has recently been elected to be a member of the AEGIS Advisory Committee. Jane has two boys both of whom are being educated at independent schools with large boarding communities. She has a sound understanding of the UK boarding school system and realises the importance of ensuring that children are in a happy and caring environment which will enhance and support their educational experience in the UK.

jane@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Caroline Lloyd - Guardianship Manager 

Caroline, our Guardianship Manager has experience of working within boys and girls boarding houses as well as in primary education. She therefore understands the need to provide a supportive and caring environment in order for children to thrive. She has two children, both at boarding schools within the UK and enjoys travelling. She has recently travelled to Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and America. Caroline was educated at an all girls school and then went on to study Classics at Royal Holloway University and has now also completed her Level 3 safeguarding training.

Caroline@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Mel Aitchison - Guardianship Coordinator

Mel Aitchison is the Guardianship Coordinator, based at Malvern College. Mel has more than 24 years of experience working in Higher Education, liaising with staff and students at international colleges.  She has also worked closely with students in the UK, helping them to find school placements.

Mel’s background is in IT and she has a Postgraduate Diploma in Technology for Teaching and Learning.  She enjoys walking on the Malvern Hills, yoga and gardening.

mel@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Jane Collinson - North East

Jane Collinson joined College Guardians in 2017. Jane has over 25 years of experience of working with young people accessing education opportunities. With a background in caring, she is passionately committed to ensuring all young people receive the support they require to be happy and fulfil their potential.

Jane lives in Newcastle with her husband and they have 2 daughters, one at University and one on a Gap year. The family love to travel and have enjoyed hosting foreign students.

janecollinson@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Caroline Elder - Glasgow

Caroline joined College Guardians in May 2020. She brings 30+ years’ experience in careers guidance and student advice. Her aim is to ensure that student’s choosing Glasgow as a place to study find it welcoming, supportive, safe and enjoyable. Enabling students to thrive and be a success is what motivates her most. Caroline has previously lived and worked in Africa and Greece. She enjoys cooking, film, theatre, live music and choir. During lockdown is new to baking and gardening.

caroline.elder@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Eleanor Ross - Aberdeen

Eleanor lives in Aberdeen and has enjoyed a life-long career in education as a French and Spanish language teacher in secondary schools. In her earlier career, she lived and worked in South East Asia. Eleanor has been Head of a Modern Languages Department in two different schools before being appointed to the role of Depute Head Teacher in Cults Academy where her remit included Child Protection & Safeguarding, Health & Wellbeing and Pupil Support, both Curricular and Pastoral. Also, Eleanor maintains an interest in languages and in education and working as a College Guardian allows her the opportunity to support young people as they settle into university life in a new country.

enquiries@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Kirsty King - York & North East

Kirsty is based in Yorkshire where she lives with her husband and two young children. Kirsty was educated at an independent boarding school, she graduated from Cambridge University with a Bachelor of Education and currently enjoys providing regular learning support in her local primary school. Kirsty loves her role as a guardian, she is passionate about providing first class support so that each child can reach their full potential. Kirsty has enjoyed travelling throughout South East Asia, Australasia and Europe.

kirsty@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Fiona McIntyre - Student Support Assistant

Fiona lives in Cambridge with her husband. She is a science graduate and supports students throughout East Anglia. She combines her role at College Guardians with voluntary work at her local hospice. She has over 20 years’ experience of working with young people within the education system. She enjoys working with young people and understands the importance of supporting students throughout their studies. Fiona has two grown up children who are both graduates. Her daughter works in London for a homeless charity and her son is working abroad as a Graphic Designer. She enjoys cooking, gardening and family skiing holidays.

fiona@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581576

Jo Charing - Liverpool & North West

Jo Charing lives in Liverpool and has more than 25 years experience working in further and higher education in teaching, mentoring and management roles. She currently works for the NHS on a sessional basis providing advice to committees who recruit and assess medical students and trainee doctors and dentists. She combines this with her role as College Guardian.
She loves working with, and spending time with young people and understands how important it is to provide them with reliable, caring support especially when they are living away from home.  She has been happily married for 32 years and has a daughter aged 28 who is settled in Leeds and a son aged 22 who recently graduated from University and is currently working abroad.  She has travelled widely in Europe, America, Australia and the Far East, including China and Japan. Later this year she will be visiting The Middle East and India & Sri Lanka.

jo@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Annabel Rusling - London & South East

Annabel lives near Tunbridge Wells on the Kent/Sussex border and can access all the South East within 1.5 hours. She has a teenage son boarding at a large boys school in Kent and two younger children that attend a local Prep School. She loves her role with College Guardians and enjoys using her first hand experience and knowledge of schools in the South East. In her spare time she takes her PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog to nursing homes. She also loves travel -especially to Asia and Africa where she worked in a Primary School.

annabel@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581600

Khun Nop - Thailand

Khun Nop, joined College Guardians as our Thailand Representative in October 2016. Currently living in Bangkok, Nop worked as an Educational Counsellor for 10 years, a role in which she supported Thai students who were looking to study overseas. Looking after students of all ages, from high school through to university who wish to study in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Nop thoroughly enjoys working with parents and students to ensure they’re happy with our care and support.

nop@collegeguardians.co.uk

Victoria Walker - Commercial Accountant

Victoria is our Commercial Accountant and deals with the finance side of the business. As a qualified management accountant, she has previously worked in the defence industry and for a retail design company as well as running her own business before joining College Guardians. She has two teenage children at a local secondary school and enjoys sewing and knitting in her spare time. 

vicki@collegeguardians.co.uk

Telephone + 44 (0)1684 581577