About Us

Acorn International Summer School is a family-run business owned and managed by the Richards’ family.

Steve Richards,   B.Ed. (Hons.) (Wales), M.A. (Education) (London), M.Ed. (Open)
Principal

Previously one of the UK’s youngest independent school headmasters, Steve has a wealth of educational experience spanning 30 years and has taught both as a primary and secondary school teacher. He has worked as a consultant for a number of UK-based educational charities and has spoken widely on educational matters, worldwide.  In 1999, he established the UK’s first fully online secondary school, providing educational support for students requiring British qualifications whilst living overseas.


Bethan Richards,  LL.B. (Hons.), TESOL Cert. (Merit) (Trinity), PGCE (Primary)
Director of Studies

After successfully completing a law degree, Beth worked at a prestigious International School in the South West of England as an assistant house parent. After gaining her TESOL certificate she started teaching part time at the school and subsequently trained as a primary school teacher.  She now has considerable knowledge and experience of both pastoral care within a boarding school setting and of teaching international and British children.


Lyn Richards, RGN, PGCM (CNAA)
Head of Pastoral Care

After completing her training at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London, Lyn spent a number of years nursing in London and the North of England.  More recently she has run her own catering business and, after educating her own children at home, she has edited her first book on the experiences of a number of home educating families in the UK.

Steven Southern,  BSc. (Hons.), M.A. (Lancaster), PGCE (Primary)
Class Teacher

The school uses a number of other experienced and well-qualified teachers and pastoral staff. All of our staff are CRB checked and first aid trained.