Experience
I have been in education now for over 25 years. I have worked across three Local Authorities, and been a Headteacher for over 12 years in two different schools.
I have been through three Ofsted Inspections as a Headteacher, including taking my current school from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’.
I started my career as class teacher in a primary school in Haringey, North London. I moved to my second school to become a teaching Deputy Head, before moving to Richmond Upon Thames to become a non-classed Deputy. I moved into my first Headship in Richmond before moving to Bracknell Forest, Berkshire (to save on the commute!). Throughout my career I have led several subjects and curriculum teams.
I have been fortunate to have worked on various projects, boards and been asked to facilitate several courses, including; being seconded to the Local Authority to lead on Assessment and qualified as a Charted Educator Assessor (CEA). At the time, I also led the Local Authority's Working Group on Assessment without Levels. I also facilitate on the National Qualification for Senior Leaders (NPQ_SL) course.
I currently sit on the Local Authority’s Safeguarding and SEND boards and am our branch secretary for the NAHT.
My involvement and interest in coaching and mentoring stemmed from being asked to mentor a new Headteacher. I have mentored a number of new headteachers and thoroughly enjoyed it. This has led to me becoming a qualified Executive Coach. I am now committed to supporting leaders, at all levels, to find sustainable ways to thrive in the stressful, but rewarding, work we do.
Qualifications
I qualified from London Metropolitan University with a B.ed Hons in Primary Education and have a Masters from the Institute of Education (London). I gained my NPQH and am a Charted Educator Assessor (CEA).
I am a Fellow at Charted College of Teaching.
I qualified as an Executive Coach, via Henley Business School and am a member of the Association of Coaching (AC) and am fully committed to their Code of Ethics.
I fully understand the ‘rollercoaster’ of leadership; the highs, lows and loneliness.
Listen to me talk to Paul Sibson, CEO and founder of Hero, about Coaching the next generation of leaders.
Personal
I am married and have two children (19 and 14). I now live in Hampshire after being dragged out of London for a quieter life in the suburbs! I enjoy music, trying to keep fit with open water swimming, running and doing the odd triathlon.
Testimonials
Jan Holden
Headteacher, Our Lady of Peace Primary School
“I have found that the Coaching sessions with Michael have really helped in my Headship role, he has been empathetic but also challenged my thinking which in a stressful role has provided clarity. The sessions have been invaluable.”
Simon Cope
Headteacher, Owlsmoor Primary
“Michael’s coaching is incredible. He helped me clarify my thoughts and supported me in a way where I took ownership of the solution. Michael is very personable and allowed me the time and space for ideas and thoughts to be shared. It was my first experience of coaching and I would highly recommend him.”
Kate Davies
Headteacher, The Pines Primary
“Michael is a great coach. He had a calm and considered coaching style which enables you to think about the answers. He instils you with confidence and enables you to think creatively. He is completely non judgemental but will provide the challenge that is needed in a coaching session. He has enabled me to move my thinking forward and helped me to solve problems, allowing me to find the solutions through his guidance. If you are looking for a leadership coach then I would highly recommend Michael.”
Anna Wickham-Smith
Independent Educational Consultant
“I cannot recommend Michael and his kind and patient coaching highly enough. He is incredibly skilled in supporting individuals to identify their strengths, think about and articulate their goals whilst being accountable in working towards these.
His calm, and informative coaching style has allowed me the courage and confidence to change the direction of my career, identify my core values and use these within decision making. Each session has guided me and given myself a greater clarity on what I have wanted and needed but wouldn’t have been able to achieve without his support.
The coaching I have received and continue to have is invaluable and I can’t thank him enough.”
Tensa Campbell
Associate Assistant Headteacher
“After my first few sessions of coaching with Michael, I gained immense insight into my attitude about myself and my career. I gained some emotional clarity that helped me to return to the same beliefs and mindset I had when I began my career. The courage to consider and even embrace change and to move forward by making choices that developed my skills, knowledge and passion for my career.
Michael is an amazing listener however he was clear from the onset that he will guide and support me not decide for me. Instead, he positively facilitated my development using my knowledge and self-awareness.
During our sessions, Michael guided me to develop a succinct plan for what I want to achieve from my life and career. At the end of the coaching partnership, I managed to secure a promotion within an area I was previously scared to pursue. I owe this to Michael’s guidance since he challenged and held me accountable for my success.”
Ready to dive in?
Finding the right coach is important, so I always start by offering a free, no-obligation chat to ensure we can work together. So get in touch and we’ll get a date in the diary.