Our School Improvement Specialists
Diana Choulerton
Key Stage Expertise: Cross phase – Secondary and Primary
Specific areas of Expertise: Inspection and Education Improvement
Diana has over 28 years’ experience working in education as a teacher, leader and inspector, having worked as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) for four years from. Diana has developed a wide range of experience and high level of skill related to inspection and education improvement. This included leading inspections and monitoring visits of primary and secondary schools as well as SEND area inspections. Whilst working as an HMI she also took on the role of Ofsted National Lead for Design and Technology. Prior to joining Ofsted Diana worked as a senior advisor for a local authority leading on 14 to 19 strategy. She also has 13 years’ previous experience working in secondary schools holding middle and senior leadership responsibilities in that time.
Diana offers insight, support and advice for leaders in primary and secondary schools and local authorities on all aspects of education improvement. Specific areas of expertise
include; change management, monitoring and evaluation, development planning, curriculum and assessment, teaching pedagogy, SEND reform implementation and 14-19 strategy.
Diana also remains passionate about D&T education and welcome opportunities to utilise her expertise in the subject.
Nick Butt
Key Stage Expertise: EYFS, KS1 and KS2 (can support KS3, KS4 and KS5 also)
Specific Areas of Expertise: Leadership, SEN, EYFS, curriculum, teaching and learning and governance
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Nick is a very experienced primary headteacher and has had many years of experience in improving schools. He oversees school improvement in a chain of free schools and academies in North London. He was a London Challenge adviser, working with the DfE and LAs, to improve vulnerable primary schools in London boroughs. His schools made significant gains in their performance and several have now been rated outstanding. Nick has a successful track record both as a headteacher and in school improvement. Schools value his professional expertise and friendly but no-nonsense approach. Nick leads on the BSP Good to Outstanding programme
Neil Farmer
Key Stage Expertise: EYFS and KS1
Specific Areas of Expertise: EYFS and Infants, curriculum development, leadership development and sustainability, independent learning and challenge.
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Neil is an independent educational consultant supporting school development across London, the UK and further afield. He was formerly a Senior Early Years consultant and Head of Early Years in a number of LAs, working successfully across all sectors to raise outcomes for children. Neil is a published author, including ‘Getting it Right for Boys’ and ‘Getting it Right in Reception’. He is an expert in ensuring that provision meets the needs of young children and has contributed to numerous regional and national conferences. His passion is children’s involvement in the learning process and taking the principles of outstanding FS provision and practice into KS1. Neil leads on EYFS for the partnership.
Adam Lowing
Key Stage Expertise: Ks1 and KS2
Specific Areas of Expertise: Teaching, learning and assessment
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Adam’s impressive career path encompasses the role of former Headteacher at not just one, but two primary schools, demonstrating his exceptional leadership skills and his ability to drive school improvement across all educational phases. With experience in various contexts, including those within disadvantaged communities, Adam has consistently facilitated and supported transformative initiatives. His extensive background in quality assurance is a testament to his commitment to upholding high standards, as evidenced by his substantial involvement in peer reviews. Additionally, Adam’s remarkable expertise as a former MAT Assessment Leader and Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) in English/Assessment further solidifies his position as a highly knowledgeable and respected professional in his field.
Anthony Petlier
Key Stage Expertise: EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3 and Pupil Referral Unit
Specific Areas of Expertise: Leadership and management, School Improvement, data analysis, self- evaluation, EAL, SEND and raising achievement of disadvantaged groups, Ofsted experienced.
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Anthony has been a senior leader and headteacher for 17 years in the Primary phase and an executive headteacher for a group of secondary PRU’s. He is committed to providing excellence and enjoyment in all learning organisations. As a level 7 leadership coach, he has worked with aspiring leaders and established headteahcers to support them in meeting the challenges of leadership in 21st century schools. With a strong track record of raising standards in schools through headship as well as an accredited SIP. Anthony brings with him a range of expertise to support schools. He also has extensive experience of working nationally and abroad on supporting schools in meeting the expectations of Safeguarding young people.
Unusually, Anthony has also worked as a special Police Officer for the past 15 years, and is currently Assistant Chief Officer with the Metropolitan Police. He contributes to the training and development of police officers and to policy development within the Metropolitan area.
Michael Larkin
Key Stage Expertise: EYFS, KS1, KS2 and drama in all phases including ‘A’ Level.
Specific Areas of Expertise: Leadership development, coaching and mentoring, computing curriculum, EYFS, quality first teaching, headteacher performance management, governance.
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Michael is an independent educational consultant supporting school development across London and the South East. He has many years of successful headship in both London and Milton Keynes. He has led a school judged as outstanding as well as leading other schools in order to remove them swiftly from special measures. More recently, Michael has worked as a School Improvement Adviser and has led on the training of headteachers, growth mindset and reflective practice, as well as on all areas of governor training. Michael is friendly, personable, incredibly organised and makes sure that provision of an exemplary service is at the heart of all his work.
Francis Gonzales
Key Stage Expertise: EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5
Specific Areas of Expertise: School improvement planning, leadership, pupils with complex needs and computing
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Francis has a wealth of experience in both leadership and teaching roles across a diverse range of special schools, Francis stands as an exemplary professional adept at meeting the unique needs of students with special educational needs and/or disabilities. His remarkable talent lies in harnessing the power of technologies to empower and assist this specific group of learners throughout their educational endeavours. Currently, Francis holds the esteemed position of head at an inner-city special school, wholly committed to fostering the growth and development of pupils with intricate learning, physical, and medical challenges. His areas of expertise, firmly rooted in the realms of mathematics and computing, further contribute to his ability to provide exceptional instruction and guidance.
Sue Higgins
Key Stage Expertise: Secondary KS3,KS4 and KS5
Specific Areas of Expertise: Curriculum; English and Literacy; Strategic planning for improvement; Leadership development; Personal development and student leadership; Post-16;Disadvantaged students’ provision and achievement.
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Sue Higgins has extensive experience in education, as a teacher, head of department, teacher trainer and deputy headteacher, first becoming a headteacher in 2000. Her substantial and successful school leadership experience has all been gained in state comprehensive schools in challenging circumstances.
Most recently, she was Executive Headteacher of Parliament Hill School in Camden and, under her leadership, the school gained a national reputation for innovation in partnership projects, pedagogy, student leadership, inclusion and well-being provision. As an outstanding school leader who was selected to become a National Leader in Education, she has worked with many first class organisations- London Challenge, Teach First, WomenEd#, SSAT Leading Edge, ASGS, Challenge Partners, Potential Plus, ACSL, Ambition Institute – forging school-to-school support and improvement initiatives. As a consultant she currently provides school improvement services to schools in Newham, Brent, Camden, Lewisham, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and Slough.
Sue is an expert trainer, highly effective mentor and qualified coach working with leadership teams, governing bodies, aspiring and established school leaders. Sue is a school governor in Haringey and a Trustee of Envision, a social action and education related charity.
Gill Walley
Key Stage Expertise: EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3
Specific Areas of Expertise: EYFS, governance, data, leadership and management, TA training, safeguarding, Ofsted experience, headteacher performance management.
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Following headship, Gill inspected with Ofsted almost full-time for 7 years across the phases. She is also a SIAMS inspector for several dioceses and has worked as a SIP in Luton. Consequently, Gill knows precisely what best practice looks like and is able to identify key priorities for school improvement. Her extensive work with trainees has developed her skills in mentoring and empowering others. Gill now provides robust support and challenge in Brent schools, tailoring provision to individual schools’ needs including identifying strategies to close gaps in attainment. Gill has a good track record of supporting schools to maintain or improve on their previous Ofsted judgements.
Andy Webster
Key Stage Expertise: KS3, KS4 and KS5
Specific Areas of Expertise: Leadership and management, curriculum design, teaching and learning, school improvement
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Andy has been leading and teaching in London schools for over 22 years. He holds a Master’s Degree in school based leadership and management alongside a CIPD Level Diploma 7 in Organisational Management. He is a musician by training and spent many years as a teacher of music and head of faculty before commencing his leadership career.
Andy has been the headteacher of Park View School in Tottenham since 2014. During this time, he worked as an Ofsted under both most recent inspection frameworks.
Andy specialises in curriculum design and has also managed significant projects, bringing Trauma Informed practice into schools’ behaviour management processes.