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The story behind Lilac.

The name says it all. LILAC stands for Love In Learning And Creativity, and that idea sits behind everything we do.

Who we are

A passion for helping young people flourish.

Lilac Education was founded by Alan Wood and Louise Double, two experienced educators who first met whilst teaching and who share a passion for helping young people to flourish.

With over 40 years of combined teaching experience, we have worked with thousands of students across a wide range of educational settings. Throughout our careers, one belief has remained constant. Young people achieve their very best when they feel supported, valued and inspired.

We are passionate about creating a learning environment where students feel safe to explore ideas, challenge themselves and, most importantly, learn without fear of failure. We believe that mistakes are an essential part of the learning journey, and that confidence grows when children are encouraged to take risks, ask questions and think creatively.

Every young person is unique. That is why we take the time to understand each student's individual strengths, interests and learning needs, tailoring our approach so that learning is both engaging and meaningful. By personalising learning and building strong relationships, we aim to nurture not only academic success, but also curiosity, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

Whether we are supporting students through the 11+, GCSE and A Level English, home education or Scripted Youth Theatre, our mission stays the same. We want to help every child discover their potential and flourish academically, creatively and personally. We do not simply teach subjects. We inspire confidence, spark curiosity and celebrate the joy of learning.

Meet the founders

Alan and Louise

Alan Wood

Co-founder

Alan is an experienced educator with over 20 years of teaching experience and is the co-founder of Lilac Education.

Specialising in 11+ preparation, home education and personalised learning, Alan is passionate about helping young people develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to achieve their full potential. Through small group teaching and a supportive approach, he makes sure that every child feels valued, challenged and successful.

Before founding Lilac Education, Alan held a number of senior leadership roles in education, including Trust Director of Performing Arts, where he led teaching and learning across multiple schools.

Alongside his academic work, Alan also leads Scripted Youth Theatre, giving young people the chance to develop confidence, communication skills and creativity through performance. He believes children learn best when they feel supported, inspired and excited by learning, and he is committed to helping every student flourish both academically and personally.

Louise Double

Co-founder

Louise is an experienced English teacher, examiner and co-founder of Lilac Education, with over 20 years of classroom experience.

Specialising in GCSE and A Level English, Louise is passionate about helping students develop confidence, independence and a genuine love of language and literature. Through expert teaching, personalised support and high expectations, she helps students make excellent progress and achieve their academic goals.

As an experienced examiner and moderator, Louise has an in depth understanding of what is required across a range of exam boards. That insight lets her give students the knowledge, skills and exam techniques they need to succeed.

Louise believes that every young person can thrive when they are supported, challenged and inspired. Her warm and nurturing approach, together with her subject expertise, helps students flourish both academically and personally.

We would love to meet you.

If any of this sounds like the right fit for your young person, send us an email or an enquiry and we will take it from there.

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