Evaluate-Ed
Fernbank House
Tytherington Business Park
Macclesfield
SK10 2XA
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Parnership Consultant
Mission: To give young people a voice through their talents.
My name is Marian Adejokun. I am 26 years old. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, but now live in England. I have a BA in Early Childhood Studies and I have just finished my Masters degree at UCL.
My story goes back to January 11th 2011, Unknown to me, I had a rare, deadly allergy to eye drops. Shockingly, after using it, all of my skin peeled off from head to toe. I then went into coma for one whole month. This is known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, which is a one in a million deadly allergy reaction. I would like to share my amazing story with the world.
My life is now about encouraging and motivating all youths, not to ever give up. No matter what the struggles may be, one has to believe in themselves and have a positive attitude towards life. I see my story as a positive one. I believe this will inspire a lot of youths to be grateful for what they have. Even more so, to fulfil their purpose in life and be a blessing to someone else. My motto is “Believe in yourself and follow your dreams”.
I am so happy to be alive and share my unique story. I was born four months early and I weighed only one pound. I went through all kinds of surgeries but despite it all my mom, my siblings and friends have always kept me motivated to move forward in life.
I am now a young author of two books. My first book is about my life – the good and the bad, titled “My Life Is Not My Own” and my second book is filled with inspiring and encouraging words composed by myself, titled “ReachOut2All”.
I am passionate about empowering youths worldwide, and impacting young lives. I am also actively involved in community work, schools and church ministry work in the UK, America, Dubai and Nigeria. This is to reach out to the lost so they can be found in Christ.
A lot of people would see my story as a negative thing but I see it as a positive
Partnership Consultant
SENDCO/Advanced Skills Teacher
Amjad Ali (@TeachLeadAAli) is a teacher, trainer, TEDx speaker and Senior Leader. He currently works four days a week in a start up secondary school and offers CPD/INSET on his other day. Amjad has spent his teaching career working in challenging, diverse schools. He is a qualified SENDCO and was also trained as an Advanced Skills Teacher in Teaching and Learning. Before stepping into the world of education, he spent time as Play Worker and Teaching Assistant in Young Offender Prisons.
Amjad has delivered CPD to all sectors in education from Early Careers teachers to Executive/Head Teachers and CEOs; delivering on a range of topics, all across the United Kingdom and different parts of the world. He has worked with over 250 schools and 1000s of students.
Amjad is ambitious and committed to making a difference to the education system. He is at ‘the chalk-face’ teacher, who shares ‘what works’ in an engaging and easy to understand format. Amjad also writes a reflective blog entitled NewToThePost where he discusses many elements of his leadership and experience.
For Amjad, education is about ensuring wherever you come from, whatever your parents do or not do, does not impact on a students’ potential of success. Whatever success means to that young person, it should be found and celebrated.
Amjad has previously co-organised some of the country’s largest teachmeets such as #TMOxford and #TMLondon. He also presents keynotes and offers workshops and inspirational addresses at various educational events such as the Telegraph Festival of Education, #NRocks #SRocks, National subject conferences and many others all around the United Kingdom. Amjad’s sharing ‘portfolio’ involves the setting up international initiatives such as #TwitterCoachingED and #CultureBoxED.
Amjad is the co-founder of the charity The BAMEed Network- #BAMEed a grass-roots movement aimed at ensuring our diverse communities are represented as a substantive part of the education workforce for teachers and leaders in education.
Partnership Consultant/SIP
Strategic Lead for Secondary Standards
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 a qualified SENDCo with Edge Hill University. 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.
Partnership Consultant
CEO
Phil comes from the role of Headteacher and is also an author, having written ‘The First 100 Days’, a story about what we can learn from Premier League managers about being successful over your first 100 days in a role and beyond. Phil has had several articles published in the SecEd magazine.
Partnership Consultant
A highly experienced business mentor and coach; Philip has over thirty year’s business experience in providing guidance and support to aspirational business owners.
Philip has a business career which has spanned over 30 years and a broad range of sectors. Whatever the business sector his focus has always been people, identifying the barriers to personal growth and development and how these impact on organisational aspirations and ambition.
Whilst Philip’s experience extends to international businesses, his passion lies with owner managed businesses; often referred to as the backbone of the British economy.
Philip was the first Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Central Lancashire and held an Honorary Teaching Fellow position at Lancaster University Management School and is a regular presenter on the topic of wellbeing; having seen too many negative examples of the impact of running your own business – excessive stress; lack of time – his emphasis is on self-care to improve personal wellbeing and quality of life. If you feel good, you perform better; be that at home or work! In response to an overwhelming need, Philip founded Healthy Leaders in 2018 – focusing on wellbeing coaching to increase productivity and performance followed by Healthy Leaders Academy in 2021; an on-demand online proposition, accessible to multiple users.
Philip is a former Black Belt in Karate and British Karate Champion (1977); making physical wellbeing a lifestyle choice, his most recent competitive endeavours were in the international sport of indoor rowing, achieving runner up in the European Championships in January 2019, and a credible 5th place in the World Championships in California – February 2019, and archery, reaching the quarterfinals of the European Masters Games in 2023.
Favourite quote:
‘We are what we repeatedly do; then excellence is not an act but a habit’- Aristotle
Partnership Consultant/SIP
Chris Dyson, was the headteacher at Parklands Primary, situated on one of Europe’s largest council estates in Leeds. One of the most deprived schools in Leeds, with 64% Pupil Premium, when Chris arrived at the school, it had been deemed inadequate and had 150 suspensions in a year. In addition, results were rock bottom. By the time I left, exclusions had dropped to only 1 in 9 years, the school has the highest progress score for Maths in the country and were in the Top 5% in Reading and Writing. Ofsted judged the school outstanding.
Chris’s strength is changing the culture of schools, with the proverbial ‘carrot’ being used rather than a stick, coaching used with staff, and the wellbeing of staff and children becoming the driving force. Upon leaving for a new role the succession planning was in place with the Deputy Head becoming the new Head Teacher.
Chris was an NLE driving standards forward in schools across Yorkshire and works with schools to achieve transformation and School Improvement. Chris is the Deputy CEO of a Trust in Birmingham with 3000 children, The Create Trust, where in March 2023 one of the schools moved from Inadequate (ungraded) to Good by Inspectors and in June, a second school in the Trust moved from RI to Good.
Partnership 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.
Partnership 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.
Partnership Consultant
SEND and Inclusion
Garry is an independent SEND Consultant, with 43 years of previous teaching and leadership experience in secondary and special schools throughout West Yorkshire and Lancashire. He has since before the reforms of 2014 specialised in the application and practicalities of SEND law and funding in England.
Garry is, and has been, instrumental in shaping SEND provision across England as a Whole-School SEND Reviewer, a National SEND System Leader and project lead for local authority improvement support. He has been an Associate Consultant for Nasen and Chair of their 0-11 Advisory Group. He is a highly skilled, driven and committed SEND leader, supporting schools, trusts and local authorities in a wide range of educational improvement priorities, focusing on caring, positive leadership and the management of change. He has written extensively for a range of educational publications.
As a skilled and intuitive leader of SEND and inclusion, Ofsted described his practice as “beyond outstanding……..inspirational!”
Partnership 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
Partnership 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.
Partnership Consultant/SIP
I have thoroughly enjoyed thirty-nine years of teaching experience in the primary sector, thirty of which were at senior leadership level, including twenty-three years as a highly effective headteacher of a complex primary school. I have extensive experience of working and supporting the local authority, a network of schools across the local authority and across other local authorities. Following a secondment working with my local education authority focusing on the inclusion agenda, I have decided to leave headship having successfully led school through six Ofsted inspections which were consistently graded ‘Good’ in all areas, and outstanding in many. The school achieved both the platinum games mark award and the green flag award.
I can offer support in a range of areas and have particular expertise in leadership and management; inclusion, SEND and pathways to alternative provision; behaviour and attitudes, personal development and attendance.
Range of areas of support includes:
Partnership 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:
Partnership 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:
Partnership 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:
Partnership 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.
Partnership 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
Partnership Consultant
Improving diversity and inclusion in education
Nic’s specialist topics:
Partnership 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:
Partnership Consultant
Emily is an influential Headteacher Nationally, working with schools across the West Midlands through her work with the National Association of Headteachers as branch and regional President and National Executive on the National stage. She has also worked with the F40 funding group regularly attending meetings with the DfE and presenting in Parliament.
Emily graduated from Bishop Grosseteste teaching college in Lincoln with a BA(hons) in Music and Education, followed by a PGCE at Birmingham University in general practice. She has achieved Leading from the Middle and NPQH and is an executive member of the West Midlands COMFAS group supporting leadership development and collaboration.
Emily has a vast amount of experience and has worked in a cross section of school from Special Measures to Outstanding, developing her knowledge of Early Education, In the Moment Planning as well as delivering throughout KS1 and KS2. Emily is passionate about building relationships with pupils and how this helps strengthen a school in faith and non-faith settings. Inclusion is high on her agenda and she uses innovative approaches to support pupils in their early education. Emily is passionate about building leaders for the future and has particularly enjoyed being part of the subject leader review sections of Evaluate-Ed and how these can drive collaborative improvement in a school.
She is currently Head of a successful primary in Staffordshire where she works with her team to build leadership skills and create fabulous learning environments and opportunities for her pupils. She has built a successful team in school who are excited about the future of education.
Emily has worked on the Evaluate-Ed Advisory group, with the support of specialists within her networks over the past 3 years, helping shape and develop the content with her extensive knowledge as a leader, mentor and school improvement consultant.
She is an advocate for ensuring leaders have the support they need to maintain drive and their own wellbeing. Work life balance being at the heart of everything. If it can be done in simple steps, why write an essay. The live nature of Evaluate-Ed ensures that leaders are not wasting precious time on paperwork and can spend more time where it really matters, inspiring pupils.
Partnership Consultant
Empowered Insights is a leading consultancy company dedicated to empowering businesses and transforming their working environments.
Through our comprehensive range of consultancy services, personalised 121 sessions, and engaging group training programs, we provide businesses with the tools and insights they need to unlock the full potential of their leadership teams.
Our approach centers around the development of emotional intelligence, fostering self-awareness and cultivating an understanding of others. By integrating these essential qualities into the fabric of your business, we facilitate positive outcomes and enhance performance at every level.
Cherene is deeply passionate about enriching individuals and businesses alike, guiding them towards a working culture that nurtures emotional intelligence and personal development, which underpins all of our services. We believe in unlocking the potential of each individual by helping them recognise their unique strengths and how they can enhance their role within the team. By fostering confidence and self-awareness, we empower individuals to contribute effectively to their teams and the overall success of the business.
Moreover, we equip individuals with a wide range of skills and techniques to navigate any challenges they may encounter. Our goal is to empower your workforce with the confidence and resilience needed to overcome obstacles and thrive in any situation.
With Cherene’s guidance, Empowered Insights aims to empower individuals and businesses to unlock their full potential, fostering growth, resilience, and a profound sense of well-being.
‘I believe that empowering others through discovery, insight, and integration will not only help you succeed within your profession but has a rippling effect in your whole life.’
Partnership Consultant
Music Education
Jimmy is considered a global expert in primary and early childhood music education. By putting music at the centre of school life at Feversham Primary Academy, in Bradford, he helped to lead a turnaround which saw the school move from special measures to one of the top 1% of schools in the country. In 2018 he was shortlisted for the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher prize.
Since then, Jimmy has developed music in several schools and organisations. His programme attracts visitors from New Zealand to Canada, and has seen him deliver keynote talks and workshops in Dubai, Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Australia and the US.
Jimmy is a consultant and advisor for a range of key organisations including the Department for Education, ABRSM, The Benedetti Foundation, OAK National and the BBC as well as scores of music services in the UK.
Jimmy has also completed a great deal of media work including appearances on BBC Front Row, the One Show and Radio 5 Live. He is a regular contributor to magazines such as Teach Primary, Music Teacher and Primary Music Magazine.
His approach draws on traditional musical approaches such as Kodály (learning through play and singing) and Dalcroze ( learning through movement), traditional, direct instruction, but also more child-led exploratory approaches such as Lucy Green and Maria Montessori.
He has written the EYFS and Y2 curriculum for 10,000 Cambridge Schools around the world, the Benedetti Foundation’s “Teaching Primary Music” and several of ABRSM’s “Classroom 200” activities.
Jimmy can help with the following in EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3.
Lynn How
Lynn How FCCT: SENCO, Educational Consultant (Positive Young Minds & SEND Support)
Lynn is a practicing SENCO, SENCO trainer and provides SEND resources for Teacher Toolkit. With 23 years of primary teaching and SLT experience, she has been an Assistant Head, Lead Mentor for ITT and SENCO in mainstream schools, enhanced provision and specialist provision. She loves to write and also has her own SEMH and staff mental health blog: www.positiveyoungmind.com. Lynn holds an MA in Education, FCCT, NASENCO and NPQH. Her particular areas of interest are wellbeing (staff and pupil), SEND, children’s mental health, leadership, mentoring and coaching.
Lynn’s first non-fiction book, ‘Starting Out As A Primary Senco’, is being published by Bloomsbury and is out next September.
She has a large network on Facebook based around SENCO wellbeing (The Sweary SENCO), where SENCOs will be able to find empathy, moral support and advice for undertaking this challenging role.
She also supports both Trusts and individual SENCos with SENCO CPD packages.
Overview of support areas:
Alison Kriel
Alison Kriel was an inner city Executive Head Teacher for nearly 20 years and a CEO for 5 years. As a child she attended a Cape Coloured school in South Africa during the apartheid regime, an international school in Botswana, a girl’s grammar school in Ireland and a middle class sixth form in England all of which informed her passion for social justice, leadership, wellbeing, equity, inclusion and diversity. She has a reputation for excellence in leadership, leading schools with high social challenges to be in the top 0.1% nationally. She attributes the success of the schools to having a team of talented staff who taught from the soul and were focussed on delivering a global curriculum which celebrated the uniqueness of each pupils which led to raised self-esteem. ‘When staff and pupils feel good about themselves, success follows’. Alison believes that the key reason for the outstanding results achieved by her pupils at her schools was due to positive self-esteem. A well planned global curriculum gives teachers an opportunity to focus on the critical skills children need to go out and to be independent self-sustaining adults, who understand their responsibility to self, their community, the wider world and our planet. These skills include the development of resilience, collaboration, leadership, acceptance of difference, and adaptability.
Alison now works nationally and internationally supporting leaders with the strategic development of their schools, particularly those in challenging circumstances. She also mentors teachers and school leaders. She is a regular speaker and panel member at conferences, speaking on a wide variety of subjects including Conscious Leadership, Turnaround Schools, Unmeasured Curriculum, The Global Curriculum, Appreciative Inquiry, Wellbeing, Staff Retention, Intersectionality, Breaking Through The Concrete Ceiling, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Ubuntu and Anti-racism.
Alison is the founder of the newly launched Above & Beyond Education – a social media platform for all educators and schools to celebrate, connect, support, grow and collaborate to make every school into a great school.
A&BE summary
Above & Beyond is an online community for everyone working in Education
Morale in Education is at an all time low and we need to shift the focus away from competing with one another and instead focus on coming together to uplift one another and learn from each other’s strengths.
Above & Beyond has been created to achieve this. It’s a platform to celebrate and share great ideas, to spark conversations and to ask advice.
The mission of the app is to provide a safe place for everyone in Education to work in collaboration so together we can make every school a great school.
With specialist discussion groups led by experts in a range of educational disciplines, and open forums for genuine conversations and collaboration, Above & Beyond offers an inclusive platform for all educators to feel valued.
The app has been self-funded by Alison Kriel, an experienced Head Teacher with a demonstrated history of high attainment working within the education management industry.
Partnership Consultant
School Business Leader with local and regional leadership experience
Annette Southworth is a Senior Business Leader having worked in schools for over 20 years. She has experience across all key stages, several local authorities and the Arch Diocese of Liverpool. Prior to joining education, she worked in banking and finance, qualified as a Financial Consultant and went on to Manchester University securing qualifications in Advanced Administrative Management and Diplomas in School Business Management. Annette has many years of experience working within Leadership teams developing best practice, supporting Academy conversion and holding the post of Finance Director for the Arch Diocese of Liverpool Secondary School Improvement Trust.
Range of areas of support include:
Partnership Consultant
Representation Matters Ltd is an Educational Consultancy helping leadership teams to transform their schools into an environment where there is a strong sense of belonging. We believe that “until society recognises everyone, the question will always be do I belong”. Therefore, we ensure that we weave lived experiences and authentic voices into our work. Working from this perspective means that we can connect with hearts and minds. Whilst we would love to be experts in everything…we are not; however, we are constantly evolving and learning and sharing the knowledge with the clients that we meet along the way. That is the beauty of this work.
So how do we do it?
With our wonderful team of associates who live with the 9 protected characteristics, as well as wider factors that prevent individuals from feeling like they belong at their place of work, such as economic background. We provide schools with the opportunity to hold the mirror to their practice; through immersive training and dynamic advice and consultancy. We will help schools create a culture of inclusion so that members of the school community no longer need to question if they belong.
Services
Partnership 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.
Partnership Consultant/SIP
Mark Unwin is an experienced CEO and former Deputy CEO, Executive Headteacher, and Headteacher with a rich background in leading schools across various cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Stoke, and Birmingham. He brings a wealth of expertise in school leadership, having worked in diverse settings ranging from highly disadvantaged areas to affluent communities. His experience encompasses both Church sector and publicly funded schools, including academies, providing him with a comprehensive national perspective on school improvement.
Throughout his career, Mark has achieved notable accomplishments, including leading schools through successful Ofsted uplifts. He has transformed schools from Satisfactory to Good as acting Headteacher, from Good to Outstanding as Headteacher, from Good to Rising Good as Executive Headteacher and Deputy CEO, and from Requires Improvement to Good as a School Improvement Partner. As a CEO, he has guided schools from an Inadequate rating to Good.
Mark’s passion lies in supporting schools with curriculum improvement, striving to create a precise and user-friendly curriculum that meets the specific needs of school communities while aligning with the requirements of the Ofsted Inspection Framework. He possesses extensive experience in raising standards and attainment in writing, developing whole-school SED provision (Special Education Needs and Disabilities), and establishing outstanding Personal Development curricula.
Beyond his school leadership roles, Mark is actively involved in the education community. He is a national speaker, a member of various national steering groups, and contributes course material to the Institute of Education at UCL.
Partnership Consultant
Serving Deputy Headteacher & Ofsted Inspector
Dympna Woods has extensive teaching and senior leadership experience in a range of schools. Dympna has also worked in a School Improvement Team as an Educational Consultant within two Multi-Academy Trusts. Her strengths and areas of support for schools include leadership, curriculum, teaching and learning, quality assurance and all pastoral aspects of school life. Her subject specialism and passion lies in modern foreign languages. Dympna is currently a Deputy Headteacher in a high performing secondary school. In addition, Dympna regularly takes part in school inspections.
