Involvement in a wide range of school improvement assignments in individual schools, academies, MATs and Local Authorities across the UK as a freelance consultant working through my own limited company.Key focus:• Recently written two major online training programmes based on highly effective and innovative implementation of coaching and development processes carried out over the last few years• Direct, hands on involvement in leading substantial improvement in individual schools on an interim basis, including mentoring and modelling for other senior staff to ensure the sustainability of steady improvement • Classroom-based development and improvement of learning and teaching• Building school based coaching teams to focus on student learning and progress• Working directly with students on student voice feedback and on student involvement in improving their own learning and progress• Developing effective leadership and management at senior and middle management levels• Mentoring and coaching senior leaders in schools, and skilful interviewing of senior and middle managers applying for posts• Ensuring sustainability of strategies and processes for whole school improvements• Working with schools in difficulty or in an Ofsted category to secure measureable and sustainable improvements • Working with effective schools to maintain and further develop good and outstanding processes and strategies• Project management of specific school improvement strategies at school, LA, MAT and government levels• Support and challenge expertise with both primary and secondary phases

I led a federation of four inner city community schools - two primary and two secondary. Our aim is to promote the value of collaborative working between schools and to aim for the highest quality of experience and outcomes for the pupils in our schools.

Appointed to lead and manage the transition from a substantive principal who left the post suddenly. The role entailed leading a vibrant, 11-19, 1100 pupil, inner-city academy sponsored by the Skinners Livery Company. The academy was a stand-alone MAT led by the principal, trustees and governing body. I led the academy through an incredibly turbulent and challenging period for the school, and tackled challenges and displayed skills far beyond the scope of my initial responsibilities. Covid19 leadership and management – March to July 2020The leadership of the academy since 20th March 2020 has been even more challenging. I’ve been faced with issues and the urgent development of new processes and skills that I’ve never faced before. No one has. It’s been exceptionally testing of my experience but at the same time exhilarating and very fulfilling to be at the centre of uncharted territory in terms of effective leadership and management. I really believe that this experience has left me capable of facing absolutely any possible challenge effectively.Key achievements• Maintaining staff, student and parent morale in lockdown• Establishing and ongoing evaluation of effective home-based learning• Establishing on-site provision for keyworker and vulnerable children• Daily SLT Zoom meetings• Regular whole staff Zoom and Teams meetings• Support for establishment of parent/carer Whatsapp group• Regular Zoom meetings with parent/carer Whatsapp group leaders• Regular communication with Chair of Governors• Ongoing full governing body and sub-committee meetings on Zoom• Responding to countless updates/guidance documents from DfE and interpreting these in relation to the specific academy context• Overseeing the formulation of estimated examination grades for Ofqual• Planning full re-opening and risk assessments for September 2020

External support to Skinners’ Academy Hackney

I was appointed to this new role following the planned end of the Welsh Government Schools Challenge Cymru project.I work on a consultancy basis for two days per week as part of a small team of experienced school improvement professionals tasked with building capacity in a number of secondary schools across the five local Authorities in the a region encompassing areas of large population and significant disadvantage. We all have a credible track record of working externally with schools to help them to secure sustainable and significant improvement so they no longer require external challenge and support. The main focus was working with a school that had required improvement for 6 years. This category was removed after two terms of leading on improving learning and teaching across the school.

Appointed as one of a small team advising the Secretary for Education in the Welsh Government on secondary school improvement.There were two aspects to the role:* Member of team meeting on a regular basis to discuss aspects of secondary school improvement across Wales* The team works intensively with 40 secondary schools identified as requiring urgent improvement - each member of the team assumes responsibility for a number of schools on a geographical basis working with local authorities and regional consortiaThe team reported on a regular basis to the Welsh Government and the Secretary for EducationThis role was on a part time basis and is in addition to a wide range of school improvement involvements in England through Exemplary OutcomesI supported a secondary school in Cardiff for two years labelled in the press as “the worst school in Wales”. The school came out of Estyn Special Measures in November 2017 having massively improved in every aspect. I worked closely with an inspirational headteacher and staff to complement and help build their expertise, leading with an excellent deputy headteacher on building sustainable practice in learning and teaching. The school is now on track to become one of the best secondary schools in Wales!

John was a founding Principal Consultant and a member of Education London’s Senior Management Team for 12 years. He was a Project Manager for Education London’s KS4 contract with the DfE to provide school improvement support to the London Challenge with oversight of work across a number of London Boroughs and closely involved in managing and evaluating the whole project. Led on the development of substantial support to a wide range of schools and academies nationally including whole school and subject reviews: preparation for Ofsted inspections; the improvement of teaching and learning, co-ordination of support to the core subjects; development of approaches to use of data and whole school and individual student target setting and getting; SLT and middle management development; and support for self evaluation, including SEF development. Closely involved in the development and successful opening of 3 Free Schools.Involvement with London Challenge:As a Senior Project Manager for the Government DfE London Challenge programme John was directly involved in securing significant improvements in the 5 A*-C pass rates in many London schools, including one of the most improved secondary schools nationally, now judged outstanding by Ofsted, and a number of schools on the DfE list of the top 25 most improved schools in London. o Involved in the bid to the DfE to act as the key contractor for school improvement to London Challengeo The bid was successful against a large number of multi national companies because it was recognized as providing a hands on and very credible practical approacho Led and managed major aspects of the programme – brokering appropriate support, quality assuring provision, evaluating impact, liaising with senior LA staff, DfE advisers, senior civil servants and ministerso The outcomes and impact of the practical approach speaks for itself in terms of the lasting legacy in London schools