My mission

School leadership presents a unique challenge.

It is hugely rewarding, exciting and stimulating but also tremendously challenging.

It demands precise attention to operational detail, a firm strategic grasp and the ability to communicate to a whole community.

I learned about the scale of the challenge the hard way. It can be lonely and isolating. It can be draining and exhausting. It demands tremendous resilience. But it's worth it.

I want to help you to realise your potential, develop your colleagues, and build the capacity of your leadership team for sustainable improvement.

My qualifications and experience

I have 32 years of experience as a teacher in Salford, Warrington and the Wirral, 16 years in school leadership, of which the last 8 years were as Headteacher.

My Headship gave me an understanding of what it takes to move a school from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good', while removing a finance deficit of £600k, but what I'm most proud of is building a culture of relentless drive for improvement in middle and senior leadership. That is what makes improvement sustainable.

I am now using my experience and expertise to support other leaders, as a qualified executive coach, mentor and consultant. I coach and facilitate on NPQ programmes for Best Practice Network and Ambition Institute. I support school improvement work for the Aspire Hub of Challenge Partners, in the North West of England. I am also a member of the Association of School and College Leaders.

I am training for a level 7 (masters level) coaching and mentoring qualification through the University of Salford and I hold the NPQH qualification. I am an active member of the Association for Coaching and the Institute of Leadership and Management. I belong to communities of practice in the Ambition Institute and Best Practice Network.

I'd like to use all this experience to help you and your colleagues realise your potential because developing leadership is my passion.

I have been married to Anna for 23 years and have two daughters at university. In my spare time I like to read, run, cycle, kayak and explore rural France, Scotland and the Yorkshire Dales. I share a love of music and film with my daughters.