Our Expert Consultants

Consultant
School Business Leader with local and regional leadership experience

Consultant
Student Wellbeing & Leadership Coach

Consultant/SIP

Charlotte Cooper has a degree in English from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed her PGCE in secondary teaching at Keele University. Charlotte led a high performing English Department at a large secondary school in Manchester for six years before moving into senior leadership.

She has completed courses based on leading at senior leadership level, both with STAR Institute: the Exemplary Leadership course and the nationally recognised NPQSL. After successful completion of her NPQSL, she began to lead her own cohorts of both the NPQML and NPQSL in the North West and North East.

Charlotte has a key interest in school improvement and standards and provides school to school support across secondary settings in the North West.

Her initial senior leadership role was centred on staff development and literacy. Charlotte’s current role is leading on and supporting with key aspects within the Quality of Education and Personal Development aspects of the EIF (curriculum intent and implementation, teaching and learning, quality assurance, staff development, ITT, literacy, numeracy, careers and RSE). She was instrumental in helping her school to secure a “Good” judgement during their last Ofsted inspection; a school which had previously been graded as “Requiring Improvement” during two consecutive Section 5 inspections.

Charlotte is due to qualify as a SENDCo with Edge Hill University in January 2023. A key focus currently is supporting curriculum adaptation, staff development and the quality assurance processes to best support staff working with, and pupils with additional needs in a mainstream setting.

Consultant
Serving Deputy Headteacher & Ofsted Inspector

Consultant

Over the last 20 years Ged has been a permanent Director of Children’s Services (DCS) in two Local Authorities and a senior consultant within the private sector. He has been successful in delivering improved outcomes for children and young people as well as providing high quality service for clients.

Since 2012, Ged has been the interim DCS in a range of local authorities (including twice leading teams through full Ofsted inspections which resulted in a rating of ‘Good’ – in East Sussex in 2014 and Bolton in 2018). Most recently he has been the interim DCS in Cheshire East working with schools, public health, council officers and a range of other partners to maintain high quality services during the Covid pandemic. Ged works with a variety of organisations on service improvement and recruitment across the country. In addition, he has supported a number of senior colleagues as a mentor and has been the independent chair of improvement boards in two local authorities.

Prior to becoming a DCS he was a successful senior local government officer in Greater Manchester, South Wales and Brighton & Hove having started his working life as a teacher in the north west. In all his work Ged has focused on delivering improved outcomes for children, young people and the communities in which they live.

Consultant
School Improvement Advisor

Jan has over twenty years’ experience in education, including senior leadership, school improvement and OFSTED inspection.

She has worked in, and with, schools and academies in many authorities across England and Wales. Currently, Jan is a School Improvement Partner for a number of schools and provides support and guidance for Headteachers and senior teams.

Evaluate-Ed has become her latest passion in supporting leaders in the drive for school improvement.

• Leadership at all levels
• Senior leadership development
• Line Management
• Improvement Planning
• Preparing for Inspection
• Leading an effective team
• Appointing the right person

Consultant

Joe has thirty years of teaching experience, eighteen of which have been at senior leadership level across four schools, including ten years as the headteacher of two schools in very different contexts.  Recently retired from headship, the latest Ofsted inspection of May 2022 saw Joe lead his team to ‘Good’ in all areas, an improvement from ‘Requires Improvement’ under the previous leadership team.  The school was also awarded the national TES award for ‘Student Mental Health Initiative of the Year 2022’.  Joe can offer support in a range of areas and has particular expertise in assessment, leadership and management, learning and teaching, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and attendance.

Range of areas of support includes:

• Leadership and management.
• Assessment
• Learning and teaching.
• Behaviour and attitudes.
• Personal Development.
• Attendance

Consultant
Content Development and Monitoring

Consultant

Julie is no stranger to the world of education, with over fifteen years of first-hand experience in teaching. Her passionate work ethic and professional approach are evident in her impressive career achievements. As Head of Humanities at Marlborough College Malaysia, she spearheaded internal CPD programmes and coached and mentored staff, alongside her roles as Head of Geography, Boarding House Tutor, and Form Tutor. On her return to England, Julie took on the position of Deputy Head and Director of Studies. Julie excelled in the management of staff whilst maintaining a valued role on the teaching team. Upon leaving the classroom, Julie consulted with many schools and organisations both in and out of education. She held the role of Trustee with a large MAT, and created and developed a module on parent partnerships for Discovery Education and NAHT. Julie has worked on leadership programmes for large law firms and corporate organisations, including Baker Mackenzie, Reed Smith, Nestle and Mastercard.

Range of areas of support includes:

• Leadership and management.
• Coaching
• Learning and teaching.
• Behaviour and attitudes.
• Personal Development.
• School improvement

Consultant/SIP

Karen has worked successfully across education sectors, including primary, special schools and pupil referral units, both in England and Wales. As a teacher, leader, adviser, inspector, and coach she remains passionate about education and its potential to impact every child and their community.

From her first day as a primary school teacher, she was encouraged to thrive and learn, becoming as curious as she had been as a five-year-old.

That curiosity continues to inspire her in schools with children, their teachers, and leaders, as well as in her personal life. She is excited by the pedagogies that motivate and empower teachers and bring relevance to a child’s lived experience.

Karen believes that there is always opportunity to grow and adapt, that both parenting and teaching are two of the most influential and precious vocations and that if we can harness the potential of our children, there is hope. Today’s world needs people who are confident, flexible thinkers, who can adapt and add value to their world.

Range of areas of support includes:

• Making the vision and values visible.
• Leadership at all levels.
• Learning and teaching.
• Behaviour and attitudes across the range of settings.
• Personal Development.
• Developing a culture of coaching and sustainable development

Consultant

Mr Kevin Egan, a senior primary school teacher, Key Stage 2 lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead who has specialised in Special Educational Needs. He also has a National Award For Special Educational Needs Coordination and is a Mental Health First Aider. He has provided training to teachers and for the past three years successfully delivered highly regarded training for teachers across the country in Mental Health Awareness and Response.

Consultant

Dr Louise Egan is an experience Clinical Psychologist, trained trainer, and clinical supervisor. She has trained multidisciplinary professionals in statutory and independent services and worked in the NHS, Children’s Social Services, independent and charitable sector over the past 17 years. Both Kevin and Louise are trained in scientifically proven techniques which are underpinned by robust specialist psychological and educational knowledge and research. Our practice-based evidence also enables us to share the important practical application of theories/research in a skills based meaningful way. Our services and training aims to encompass the biopsychosocial and educational needs of children to best support and positively help them thrive.

Consultant

Lynne is a highly experienced Headteacher having worked in this role in a number of schools in the North West including roles in Manchester, Cheshire, Halton, Stockport and Wigan. Prior to headship Lynne had a range of experiences in both middle and senior leadership roles.  Having retried from Headship in summer 2020 Lynne has continued to work with schools on a consultancy basis and has a particular expertise in developing leadership capacity at all levels within schools.

In Autumn 2019 Lynne was nominated for a Pearson National Award as Secondary Headteacher of the Year, by the school community, and received this award at the national awards ceremony.

Lynne has been subject to enhanced DBS disclosure

Range of areas of support include

• Principal/senior leadership development
• Subject specific support (Physical Education)
• Specific support arising from self-evaluation and improvement planning
• Curriculum design and development

Consultant

Mark Pritchard is an Executive Headteacher and Leadership Coach. He is an experienced school improvement specialist, with expertise in whole-school strategic planning, curriculum design and delivery, and leadership development at all levels. Mark is an accredited coach who works with individuals and teams to develop their leadership knowledge, skills and capacities to bring about impactful outcomes. Mark has designed and delivered leadership programmes for varying audiences and organisations, including local authorities, Pioneer Educational Trust, Teach First, Ambition, and UCL. Mark is an experienced NPQ facilitator and a current doctoral student at UCL in leadership development. He is Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Accreditation:

• Coaching Accreditation with Growth Coaching International
• Immunity to Change Facilitation Accreditation
• C-me Colour Profiling Accreditation

Consultant

Patrick is a leadership development coach for many SLT, aspiring, new and experienced headteachers and CEOs, particularly those facing significant challenge both in the UK and internationally.

He uses his allyship and advocacy to champion diversity, equity and inclusion and has recently coached his 59th woman into a headship, executive headship &/or CEO role.

Patrick leads and facilitates a variety leadership programmes, including the NPQ programmes ranging from Middle to Executive Leadership courses. He is a regular keynote speaker at educational leadership conferences and guest lectures on a range of Masters programmes.

He recently retired as a teacher after 35 years, including 29 years as a senior leader & 18 years as a Principal/Executive Principal in secondary, primary and special schools

His work is cited in a variety of education leadership books and he recently contributed to the Diverse Educators: A Manifesto.

Patrick is also a Board Member of the One Excellence MAT and the Berwick Academy Trust, as well as founding Director of Collaborative Leadership Ltd. He is a Mental Health First Aider and is also on several advisory boards supporting student and staff mental health in schools, including The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health Leads in Schools, HeadsUp4HTs and Teacher5aday.

He is married to Mel and has 5 sons

Consultant

Sir Paul Grant was Headteacher at Robert Clack Comprehensive School in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham from 1997-2017. Previously he had taught in schools in the Australia, USA and in the North of England. Robert Clack is featured in Ofsted’s influential study, ‘Twelve Outstanding Secondary Schools – Excelling against the odds’ (2009).

Paul has served as a National Leader in Education and was a member of Business in the Community’s Education Board for over ten years. He has been actively involved in school and system Improvement having been involved with the London Challenge from the outset. Paul was knighted for services to local and national education, appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London and was bestowed the Freedom of Barking and Dagenham in 2009. In 2012 he was appointed Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Education at the University of Hull, and Visiting Professor of the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education at Anglia Ruskin University.

Paul has been a member of the Premier League’s National Advisory Group on Education for over ten years and he has been a coach, leadership and executive mentoring consultant at the Premier League since that time. He is also a Premier League Education Advisor and an Education Advisor for England FA.

In 2017 Robert Clack was highlighted for best practice in a DFE report (Creating a culture: how school leaders can optimise behaviour) on how outstanding behaviour is created and embedded in UK Schools. Paul is Visiting Professor of Global Education and Learning at Coventry University and is the Education Advisor to the Liverpool City Region Mayor. He is also President of the Hull University Alumni.

Consultant
Experienced Leader & Leadership Consultant

I am an experienced leader in a range of sectors, I worked in secondary education for eighteen years in six different schools, including 10 years in senior leadership roles. After leaving my full-time school role, I hold a senior role in an elite sports club alongside running my training and consultancy business .

After initially qualifying as a PE Teacher in 1998, I then worked in pastoral leadership roles as Head of Upper School, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Head Teacher roles in schools in vastly different contexts. In these roles, I have developed a wide range of experiences and approaches to pastoral support, behaviour, developing middle leaders, supporting aspiring leaders, raising student aspiration and achievement and careers provision. I have worked extensively with schools and colleges across the country delivering training and consultancy on these areas.

Prior to becoming a teacher, I played professional Rugby League. Being in this elite environment has had a significant impact on the vision for my work as a person and leader, enhancing motivation, raising aspiration, developing and sustaining high performing teams, building resilience and success mindsets in particular.
I now run a consultancy which works with individuals and organisations in sport, business and education to develop people and performance. From my experience of working with a wide range of schools, colleges, businesses and sports teams as a consultant, I have a real interest in how outstanding, high performing organisations are created, led and sustained, using this experience and research in my everyday work, training senior leaders, middle leaders and aspiring leaders in areas including behaviour, pastoral support, raising aspiration and leadership development.

Consultant
CEO

Consultant/SIP

Phil Smith is an Ofsted Inspector. He originally joined Ofsted as an HMI in 2013. He is a qualified teacher and has a range of middle and senior leadership experience. Prior to joining Ofsted he worked as a local authority senior school improvement officer and an accredited School Improvement Partner in both secondary and special school phases. Before that he worked in a number of secondary schools across the North West. Philip has particular expertise in the development of teaching and learning, leadership and management and history. He is now a Director of Education for a multi academy trust. Phil has been subject to enhanced DBS disclosure

Range of areas of support include:

• Curriculum design and development
• Developing subject specific pedagogy
• Developing effective and efficient approaches to assessment
• Principal/senior leadership development
• Subject specific support (history)
• Specific support arising from self-evaluation and improvement planning

Consultant

Rachel is a highly experienced leadership coach and training facilitator. Qualified to Senior Practitioner level with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) she enjoys coaching leaders at all levels in schools and MATs in challenging circumstances. Rachel’s skill and experience in the world of coaching was recognised by ‘Growth Coaching International’ who have invited her to facilitate coaching training to coaches. Delivering leadership training to middle and senior leaders (including NPQs) across the country, Rachel has a wealth of knowledge and an engaging style.

Prior to focussing on developing leaders through CPD Rachel taught in secondary schools in highly deprived areas in the Greater Manchester area for over 20 years. As a Headteacher and as a Deputy Headteacher she worked with staff in two schools to successfully remove them from Special Measures.
It is her passionate belief that investment in staff, the most valuable resource, is what makes all the difference and that coaching is at the core of effective organisational change.

Range of Areas of Support includes:

• Leadership coaching at all levels
• Delivery of coaching training
• Facilitation of leadership development training

Consultant

Tracey O’Brien has been a school leader for 15 years in London schools where she has worked in a variety of roles including deputy headteacher and acting headteacher. She has been responsible for the full range of leadership activity including improving teaching and learning, delivering high-quality CPD, planning school self-review and evaluation (Ofsted readiness), and leading on behaviour and inclusion at different times. She has worked for London Challenge supporting other schools and she set up and became the Director of one of the early Teaching Schools. Tracey has written leadership courses for middle and senior leaders, delivered teaching programmes as an AST and was awarded one of the few London Commissioner Teacher roles.

Ben

Ben’s background in coaching elite athletes and developing high performing teams and leaders in the business world gives him unparalleled experience in helping people face significant opportunities and challenges. Ben takes great pleasure in scoping and planning our flagship experiential team and leadership events.

Benjamin

Benjamin’s background as an RAF officer brings a different viewpoint to the team. With a wealth of leadership, followership and teamwork experience based on vision, values and ethos.
His experience within management consultancy allows him to deliver first-class leadership tools and techniques aligned to commercial growth, profitability and efficiency.

Jo

Jo uses her 20 years’ experience in the Police force and her time representing England at Netball, to give clients a unique insight into leadership and teamwork in challenging and often high-pressure situations from hostage negotiations to riot control. Using first had experience to relate to the challenges faced by businesses today, Jo enables clients to enhance their own performance but also that of the team and the business to deliver results.