Governing body
The Committee of Elected Parents is the governing body of English 31 with its siège social at Centre d'Affaires Les Méliades, 14 chemin de La Chasse, 31770 Colomiers.
The committee’s role is to:
- Provide oversight of the association’s operations
- Give strategic decisions in line with membership’s directions
- Ensure proper and transparent governance for the benefit of all members
- Accredited status by fulfilling the criteria for International Sections and for Cambridge International Examinations board.
- Manages the finances
- Nominate the director of the section
Each year an important item on the agenda of the Association’s AGM (Annual General Meeting), normally held in November, is the potential election of new committee members.
Serving on the committee requires time, energy and commitment but committee members play an important role in ensuring the ongoing success of the Section.
You can find our statutes below. (French)
Penny dickinson, president
Having lived here since 2003, I am British-born whilst my children were born in Toulouse. They thrive in English 31's secondary programme and being involved with the Committee to give something back to their education is a true privilege for me.
Ten years ago I followed my dream, left a corporate career in aerospace behind, and set up my own business providing walking tours in Toulouse. Having previously taught English in Japan for two years and studied for a year in Hungary my thirst for international life has found its natural home in SW France!
yaiza conception martin, treasurer
We are a Spanish family with 3 kids in primary school living in Toulouse since 2015. English 31 has given us the opportunity of having an English environment, while also immersing ourselves into the French educational system.
With a science degree in Mathematics, a Masters in Business Studies and a lifelong career in an international environment, we love the idea of opening the world to our kids.
My personal interests include spending time with my family, friends and continuing learning when possible.
Jay Russell, secretary
As a family, we (myself, my French wife, and our three children) travelled around the world for my work for more than 20 years. But we always planned to move to the wonderful Toulouse area, so here we are! Our three children are in the BFI program (now one, as two have graduated), and I am pleased to help out on the English 31 board with remunerations, communications and technical issues. We are very thankful for the great fit English 31 provides to our Franco-Americans children, and very grateful for the excellent tutelage and ambience in English 31.
STEPHANE ADAM
I am French but I lived in India as a child and that is where I learned to speak English. When I returned to France, I joined the Sections Internationales de Sèvres (near Paris) from sixième to Terminale. I moved to Toulouse in 1997 to study aeronautical engineering and I currently work for Airbus.
I am married and I have three boys who learned English during our three years in the US (2015-2018). They are all enrolled in English 31, one in collège and two in the weekly scheme in primary. As an OIB graduate with great memories of my years in Sections Internationales, I am thrilled that my children are able to benefit from a similar bilingual and multicultural experience with English 31.
Michael BaRRETT
Michael and his Franco-British family moved to the Toulouse region in 2022 after 13 years living in India, Cambodia and Australia. His four children have been schooled in international bilingual schools in India and Cambodia and Michael was on the school board at the Lycée Français in New Delhi.
Michael obtained French nationality and is also an ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ (OCI) thanks to his father’s Anglo-Indian origin.
His children, two of whom are in the English 31 programme at Simone Veil, are also all dual nationality and OCI. They are delighted and relieved to be able to continue school in an international environment with like-minded individuals.
Michael is a marketing and events consultant working in the humanitarian sector and the travel retail industry.
Susannah crabol
I was born in England but moved to South West France soon after finishing at university, where I have now been living for 24 years.
I have worked in different countries and industries, where I have observed the great benefits of the multi-cultural exchanges and experiences, and am keen to encourage these experiences within the younger generations, just as my children have been able to benefit from in English 31 in primary and secondary school.
I presently work for Airbus in pilot & cadet flight training, covering the implementation of this training and working closely on flight training communication. I hope to bring this experience with learning and education and my communication & contractual background to English 31 and am delighted to be part of the committee. When I am not working, I love cooking, doing sport and am presently doing my PPL (private pilot licence).
Isabel Meier-Sanchez
Our youngest has demonstrated a strong interest in further expanding her language acquisition by reinforcing her English language knowledge, which is why she is very happy to have recently joined the BFI.
I myself am a German teacher and I taught bilingual children in primary school in Blagnac for several years, before switching to teaching adults.
I am very interested in knowing the methodology around English pedagogy which seems similar to the German one, and I would love to contribute whatever I can to the teaching and learning department.
PATRicia Piccot
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Import Export Management and a Master in International Business Management and Entrepreneurship.
My daughter and step-daughter are studying in the BFI program and my step-son studies in the English European Section at the Lycée Victor Hugo. I have been able to observe the E31 association since March 2023 and the more time I spend, the bigger my desire to join the committee.
I believe that the quality of the E31 teachings is of great value to our children and the international community.
SUSAN PRIOR
We decided to raise them in rural France after my husband retired 9 years ago. They are now bilingual and two are in the BFI program at the lycée, with our youngest as a potential candidate in 2025. We are delighted that our daughters are getting a truly international experience within the E31 community.
I hope that my skills from my previous career, plus many subsequent jobs in community liaison, charity work, logistics, and even a short stint at La Poste can support the Committee.
Outside of family life, I love exercise and group sports, improving my French, road trips, and my new e-bike.
ESTELLE QUARMEAU
I am French, and I have lived 4 years in RI, USA, with my family. Coming back to Toulouse with 3 bilingual children we naturally turned ourselves to the Section Internationale Britannique with English 31. We couldn't have made better choice for our children. That is why I decided to join the committee.
As an Electronic Engineer and Project Manager, I am convinced that a bilingual education will be a stand-out factor in the future.
I am happy to bring my knowledge to the association to help her grow in size and in notoriety starting with defining social events.
Jenni REid, LEarning & Education Sub-CommitteE
My French-Australian family and I moved to the Toulouse area in 2017 after having lived in the UK, the USA, China and various parts of France. We were thrilled to discover the English 31 community with its diverse families and its shared interest in bilingual education.
Over the years I have worked in numerous settings as a speech and language pathologist and as a teacher of English as an additional language.
My personal interests include travel, well-being and everything culinary.
THushar SURESH
Moved to France for work in 2013 and started my French life in the alpine town of Grenoble. Later relocated to Toulouse in 2020 for professional reasons. The warm climate & welcoming people of La ville en rose encouraged me & my wife to choose this city as our next home.
My son who was born in France, and is currently part of the English 31 primary level integrated program and truly benefits from both French & English curriculum.
Being part of the English 31 association, I am looking forward to contributing effectively towards its successful functioning.
Management and Administrative Team
Xavier vuiller, Director
I got appointed as Director of this British Section back in 2017. I was born in France and left the country in my early twenties after I graduated in British and American History and Literature and completed an MA in British Literature. I then trained and qualified as a teacher in Cardiff. I worked in education in the UK for twenty years with positions in Wales and the Midlands where I headed a department and eventually took on an leadership role in a large comprehensive school in Nottinghamshire. My adult life and the person I am now have been shaped by my life in the UK and by my childhood in France. I suppose that this binary combination is a perfect fit for my role which is not simply about managing and leading our teaching of English provision across two subjects but also about bilingualism. I am thoroughly enjoying my job and understand why my predecessor did it for over 30 years!
Corine Wuhrmann, accountant
I first joined English 31 as a family member back in 2009 when my oldest son enrolled in the program. We had spent 8 years in the US right before, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Hartford, Connecticut where our second son was born (the little sister came later in Toulouse). I had different volunteering experiences allowing me to fully appreciate cross cultural relationships.
I previously worked for small companies in sales and more recently in accounting and HR in different areas, from fashion to high tech. I am very pleased today that I am part of English 31 team, as I enjoy working within small entities in an open cultural environment.
Besides working I enjoy outdoor activities such as running and hiking. I am also a member of an association helping homeless people as this cause is important to me.
marie-Anne Tarr, administrative assistant-primary
I have been a member of English 31 as a parent for many years with my 3 children being part of the programme and have joined the admin team in November 2019.
I have a degree in modern foreign languages and did my PGCE in Lancaster in 1998. I was a French and German teacher in a secondary school in the UK for 6 years and moved to this area in 2005 where I enjoyed being a full time mom until November 2019.
Jessica Wilhide, Administrative assistant-secondary
I joined the English 31 administrative team in November 2019 after having spent 15 years abroad. I am originally from France but I have worked all my adult life in Japan and in the United-States.
I have worked for several non-profit organizations and in higher education in program management, fundraising and communications.
Since being back, I enjoy cooking the local food, seeing my family and (re)discovering the area.