Pen Portrait
Training Offer
- All aspects of RSHE / Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education
- Coaching for, and of, middle leaders including ECT and their Mentors
- Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development, including ‘British Values’
- Staff well-being
- Personal Development, Behaviour & Attitudes
John is passionately committed to enhancing the achievement and life chances of children and young people, through school improvement and by supporting the professional development of individuals and organizations.
Having taught for 12 years, latterly as a senior leader, John led the transformation of a theory-driven, schools-based sex and relationships education programme from a 2-school research project into an effective multi-agency programme with unique evidence of health benefit and educational improvement. The programme engaged with approximately 200 schools across the UK and overseas. John trained teachers to work with health professionals on evidence-informed practice and engaged 1000s of young people as peer educators.
John became an independent educational consultant in 2006. He has enjoyed repeat commissions with schools and academies, Local Authorities, charities and commercial organisations across the UK and overseas with the British Council to support school improvement, outcomes for children and young people and staff wellbeing. He has been an ‘Achievement Coach’ and regional lead for anti-bullying training with ‘Achievement for All’; a coach and facilitator for middle leaders through ‘Ambition Institute’; and an associate with SCiP5.
Recent Achievements
Lead author, trainer, and UK consultant with Zeeko Education an innovative peer-led approach to teaching C21 skills and UNSDGs. Now successfully trialled in England and 100 schools across Ireland.
Early Career Framework Mentor Trainer Education Development Trust and Ambition Institute, enabling school-based Mentors to enhance support to improve practice recruitment and retention. 2020-2022
Educational Consultant to Headsight Services, providing CPD to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing and behaviour management. Accredited trainer ‘MHFA (Youth)’. Now leading development of DfE accredited Senior Mental Health Leads Training with primary, secondary and special schools.
Pathway Tutor & Assessor improving ITE provision with TES Institute and E-Qualitas enhancing classroom practice and Mentor support. 94 trainees successfully achieved QTS from 2014 to present.
Lead Author & Lead Verifier National SMSC Quality Mark. 286 schools accredited to date.
Lead trainer on C-21 skills, SEL and UNSDG for school inspectors in Algeria, British Council (2019/21).
50+ Conference, webinar and seminar speaker presentations during 2020/21
Endorsements
Jan Lever, CEO JigsawPSHE:
“John is a most personable and professional consultant. He is committed to improving the well-being, learning and life-chances of children and young people by offering excellent training for teachers and school staff. He is up to date with developments in education and a very experienced and knowledgeable PSHEE leader.
I valued his work as Regional Adviser and National Assessor for the national PSHEE CPD Programme greatly when I was the Lead National Assessor for the Programme, knowing his region would be well-led and brought together by his enthusiasm and well-organised approach”.
Marina Gaskill:
Head of PSE / Citizenship / Careers and Health and Social Care at Dawlish Community College
I have known John for more than ten years and during that time have always found him to be a highly committed, enthusiastic and dedicated ambassador to making life better for young people. His enthusiasm is infectious when around him and you get a real sense of what is possible and belief in how, through education young people can lead a more fulfilled life.
John’s continued support for teachers always takes into account the complexities of the profession and he has a true understanding of how the dynamics within education make the teaching of complex subjects difficult. Nevertheless his no-nonsense approach enables people to feel able to deliver such topic areas, that many would normally shy away from.
His interpersonal and communication skills are warm and engaging and he has an ability to put his audience at ease in whatever area he is covering. John is always at the forefront of the latest educational advances and is able to advice people accordingly.
I am delighted to recommend John’s work to all readers.