Behind The Skills Surgery is a team of people who care about your progress and believe in what you can achieve.

Our tutors bring subject expertise, practical experience and a warm, approachable style to their teaching. They make space for questions, explain things in different ways and offer the honest feedback and encouragement that help you move forward. There’s room for laughter along the way, too.

We share a simple belief: great tutors understand people before they share their subject expertise.

Get to know the people who will support, challenge and cheer you on.

Lynn Goring-Crook - Founder and Director of Education

Lynn Goring-Crook

Founder & Director of Education | Tutor & Assessor

Lynn in one the UKs most well known tutors in further education vocational courses. Award winning and acclaimed in what she does, she founded The Skills Surgery with a clear belief: great education starts with understanding people.

An experienced tutor working across swimming, lifesaving and education, she brings warmth, energy and high expectations to her teaching. Her approach combines practical knowledge with honest and supportive feedback, encouragement and an infectous sense of humour—helping learners feel comfortable enough to ask questions and confident enough to challenge themselves.

As Director of Education, Lynn shapes the way we teach and support our learners. She is passionate about developing tutors who understand the person in front of them and helping people recognise abilities they may not yet see in themselves. 

Her philosophy sits at the heart of The Skills Surgery: “We believe in people until they believe in themselves.”

Jeremy Evans

Head of Training Operations | Tutor & Assessor

Jeremy combines a kind, empathetic approach to teaching with the organisation that helps our training run smoothly. He oversees course logistics and coordinates projects, bringing care and attention to both the learner experience and the work behind the scenes.

As a tutor and assessor, Jeremy has a quiet gift for bringing out the best in people. His patience and gentle encouragement help learners feel at ease, build confidence and achieve things they may not have thought possible. He recognises potential and gives people the support and space to grow into it.

Jeremy is also Lynn’s husband, and together they share a belief that people flourish when they feel understood, supported and believed in.

Helen Turnbull

Course Administration Manager | Tutor & Assessor

Helen brings a wealth of experience, kindness and care to The Skills Surgery. As a tutor and assessor, she has a calm, reassuring presence and a quiet confidence that brings out the best in her learners. Through patience, clear guidance and gentle encouragement, she helps people achieve while feeling supported and understood.

Helen also makes sure learners get the best possible start. From booking a place to preparing for the first session, she brings exceptional organisation and a personal touch to every step, helping people feel informed, welcomed and ready to learn.

Our pastoral care begins with those early conversations, and Helen is at the heart of it. She understands that a reassuring answer or a little extra help before a course can make all the difference to someone walking through the door.

Amelia, Annabelle, Jamie and Oscar 

Unsung heroes 

As Lynn and Jeremy’s children, Amelia, Annabelle, Jamie and Oscar are faces you may well meet along the way. They help courses run smoothly with admin, setting up and even volunteering as casualties for first aid and lifesaving practice! They also bring plenty of ideas and are learning about running a business as they go.

Amelia is studying Business Management at college before joining the Navy. Annabelle is at sixth form with ambitions to become a lawyer, while Jamie and Oscar are at secondary school, fitting their studies around plenty of football.

They each contribute in their own way, and we’re proud of the part they play in The Skills Surgery. They all love learning too—although, in this family, that’s probably no surprise!

Our Tutors and Assessors:

Karl Penman — Based in London and part of the team since the early days, Karl is an award winning tutor who brings a wealth of experience, a caring approach and a wicked sense of humour. 

Helen Bull — Based in West Sussex Helen originally trained as a tutor by Lynn, Helen combines excellent training with a lively sense of fun, making learning engaging and enjoyable. 

Kelly Illingworth — Based in Dorset Kelly originally trained as a tutor by Lynn, Kelly’s kind nature, friendly chatter and sense of fun will quickly put you at ease.

Eleanor Jones — Based in Somerset Eleanor is one of our newer tutors and already a hit with learners. Eleanor brings organisation, fun and a friendly welcome—and is always happy to chat.

Rhian Manley — Based in Devon and newly qualified as a tutor through training with Lynn, Rhian brings infectious enthusiasm and a big sense of fun, helping learners feel welcome and excited to get involved.

Mr Jellyman & the Manikins (sounds like a band!) — Our most patient team members

No team introduction would be complete without Mr Jellyman, our much-loved submersible manikin, and his occasionally troublesome first aid colleagues.

Mr Jellyman originally belonged to Lynn’s grandparents, so his exact age remains a closely guarded mystery—mainly because none of us knows it! He loves his job, loves laying on the bottom of a swimming pool and takes being rescued very seriously and shows absolutely no interest in retirement.

The first aid manikins are equally important, giving learners the chance to practice skills and build confidence. Away from training (and sometimes at training) their behaviour is less professional. They’re regularly photographed in places they shouldn’t be, causing mischief and generally requiring more supervision than the learners.

We couldn’t do it without them. We just wish they’d help with the packing up!

Alongside the people you’ve met here, we work with a wider team of valued tutors who share our belief in people and bring their own experience, personality and care to every course, you will probably meet them along the way or who knows one day you may even join our team.