Testimonials
Head Teacher, Birmingham
“Cath takes time to understand the context of the school extremely well which means that she understands the challenges and barriers that can be faced in school improvement. She has been instrumental in our school improvement journey and we look forward to our SIP meetings as an opportunity to be proactively challenged as leaders with positive discussions to consistently move our school forwards. We simply would not choose anyone else to support our leadership team.”
Head Teacher, Birmingham
“Cath has provided me (Headteacher) and our Senior Leadership Team with high quality training covering a range of school improvement priorities. Work on instructional coaching/ coaching conversations and leadership development has been particularly effective and has impacted positively on our continuous improvement journey. Cath manages to deliver training and facilitate supportive (and appropriately challenging) conversations in a way that puts school leaders at ease. Her own professional experience coupled with her personable and supportive manner creates the perfect 'climate' for school improvement work. Cath took time to get to know the school and the journey and therefore the training we received was both effective and bespoke to what we needed at that time.”
Head Teacher, Birmingham
“Cath delivered the Walkthrus coaching CPD with a calm and reassuring presence that created a professional yet supportive learning environment. Her secure subject knowledge was evident throughout the session, providing clear, structured guidance that was both informative and impactful.
Cath’s ability to communicate the coaching strategies in a practical and accessible way enabled senior leaders to feel confident in their capacity to implement them effectively.
Her relaxed yet purposeful approach inspired trust and promoted professional growth across the leadership team.”
Deputy Head Teacher, Birmingham
“As our School Improvement Partner, Cath supported the School Leadership Team to focus on our School Improvement Priorities. She helped us to focus on writing with a particular emphasis on disadvantaged pupils and improving outcomes.
Cath's knowledge of WalkThrus helped SLT to evaluate the impact and implementation of WalkThrus strategies and gave us an insight into instructional Coaching.
Her support was invaluable and highlighted next steps for Leadership to prioritise.”
Head Teacher, Solihull
“Cath's training on Walkthrus and the Rosenshine principles was excellent. She was knowledgeable and able to support staff to reflect on their practice and apply what they had learned to the classroom environment.”
SEND Consultant,
West Midlands
“I have worked with Cath for several years, supporting large groups of schools to develop their SEND offer. Cath has been a total joy to work with; encouraging, positive and ambitious, with compassionate challenge around impact and outcomes for the children. Cath 'sees' the people she works with and makes positive connections, enabling teams to achieve success together.”
Chair of Governors,
Birmingham
“
Cath undertook the performance management review of the Head teacher this year which included reviewing all
the documentation provided, meeting the Head teacher and the appraisal panel and writing a report. She also
supported the Chair of Governors in a mid-term review.Throughout the process Cath displayed a sensitivity
and a professionalism towards governors and the Head teacher and encouraged a very positive dialogue
between both parties. Above all, she understood the school and the context and offered relevant advice
which made everyone feel valued.
​
She also helped us with the whole process of appointing a new Head teacher. She met with the panel and
facilitated open conversations to ascertain the governors’ vision for the school and for the new appointment.
Together we were able to put together a professional advertisement and a recruitment pack.
She assisted us through the shortlisting process, ensuring it was fair and objective. She helped us to
formulate the questions, the interview activities and a timeline for the appointment and helped us to
structure the day. She kept checking in with us that we were on target and reminded us of the legal aspects
of recruitment.
​
On the day, as the external adviser, she spent the day with us and we respected the advice she gave us.
She also attended the Full Governing Board meeting where the appointment was ratified and gave assurance to
the other governors that the process had been fair and robust throughout.
Above all, we were grateful for her calm professionalism, her understanding of the school’s needs and what
we as governors wanted from a new Head teacher. We were able to make a very exciting appointment!
Cath has done a great job for us and I would recommend her service to other governors without hesitation.”