Helene Jones (Stephenson)
Helene has over 30 years of teaching experience and was a learning support coordinator at leading London prep schools for 20 years. She is fully qualified to carry out educational assessments and is a member of the British Psychological Society. Her work with children covers three broad areas.
Specialist Teaching
Ages 4 to 11years at Eaton House Belgravia and privately
Specialist Teacher Assessor
Ages 4 to 11 in schools and privately
Sarah Mercer (Co-Director of Nimble Minds)
With years of teaching experience across London, Buckinghamshire, Hong Kong and Singapore, I bring both professional expertise and a parent's instinct to everything I do — having guided my own children through the 4+, 7+ and Common Entrance myself.
I know how hard children work, and how much it means to feel truly supported. Watching a child grow in confidence and begin to believe in their own abilities is what drives me every day.
I have a well proven track record. Children in Nimble Minds small-group courses consistently earn places at London's most competitive schools, including St Paul's, Westminster, King's College School Wimbledon, Latymer and City of London. I understand precisely what the 7+ process demands — and what it takes to thrive beyond it.
My Approach is centered on the knowledge that every child learns differently. I tailor my teaching to each pupil, creating a warm, structured environment where children feel safe to take risks, build resilience and enjoy learning.
Lucy Watts
Lucy was educated at South Hampstead High School and St. Helen’s and St. Katherine’s in Oxfordshire. She started teaching in London in 1988 in a co-educational school, moving to Eaton House, Belgravia in 1990. There, she was a form mistress, Head of Science, and Deputy Headmistress before becoming Headmistress, aged 28 years, in 1998. She left Eaton House, after twenty-five years, in 2015.
Lucy helps children in UK schools, advises on entrance exams, undertakes 7+, 8+, 11+ and pre-test interviews. She advises on staff and Headship recruitment as well as offers senior management support. She has extensive knowledge of a wide range of schools with particular expertise in the London Day School system, from Nursery to Senior Schools. Lucy also works with former SENCOs and Education Psychologists for assessment of children.
Laura Parkinson
I started my teaching career at Eaton House before taking a break to have children and to move out of London. I returned to teaching once my children were at school and I have since taught at prep schools locally before moving to Heritage School in Cambridge. I was there for eight happy years as a class teacher and then as SENCO to both the junior and senior schools. This has given me a wonderful insight into the development of the whole child from reception right through to leaving school.
I feel passionately about the importance of getting the balance right between supporting a child to do their best at every stage by building strong foundations of understanding, while at the same time nurturing a child's confidence and supporting them to develop a growth mindset.
The best atmosphere for learning is one that feels safe and fun. With this in mind, I look forward to helping your child develop their reasoning skills at Nimble Minds.
Cancellations made within two weeks of the course start date are non-refundable and non-transferable. At this stage, your child’s place will have already been confirmed and prepared, so we are unable to offer a refund or an alternative booking.
Cancellations made more than two weeks before the course start date are not refundable, but the booking may be transferred as a credit toward another course within the same calendar year, subject to availability.
All bookings are for the full week only. We do not offer refunds, credits, or partial refunds for missed days, regardless of the reason.
