Welcome!
Hi, I’m Rachael. I help school leaders and their teams untangle challenges and build the confidence, resilience and focus they need to thrive.
Life as a school leader can feel overwhelming, with constant pressures and competing priorities.
That’s why I’ve created a collection of short articles and case studies packed with insights, strategies and support tailored to you.
Looking for something specific or want personalised support? Get in touch, I’m here to help!
What are you taking with you into next school year?
As the school year draws to a close, there is often a pull towards reinvention. September can start to feel like a blank page where everything will finally fall into place, where organisation improves, leadership becomes easier or where a more refined version of ourselves emerges. It is an appealing idea, particularly after a demanding year.
School leadership when everything is changing
There are moments in school leadership when it can feel like everything is shifting at the same time. Not just in one area, but across different parts of the system all at once. That’s certainly how a lot of my clients are feeling at the moment, with new expectations, shifting guidance, and ongoing demands continuing regardless of what else is changing around them.
September; new year, old patterns
There’s a point in the year when many school leaders start to think, “I’ll deal with that in September.” I know because I’ve thought it myself and it makes sense on the surface. September feels like a natural reset point, a new academic year and a chance to start differently. But in reality, it rarely offers what we imagine it will.
The gap between leader and person: finding space to be yourself at work
“It’s great to have a space to show up as a leader and a person.” This was something a leader in my new group for headteachers said recently, and it really stayed with me. It hints at something many school leaders experience, often without quite naming it; a subtle gap between who you are and how you show up at work.
Lightness when time feels tight
In busy terms, there’s often an unspoken belief that ease equals complacency. That if things feel lighter, you must not be pushing hard enough but lightness is not laziness. Lightness is clarity. It’s being deliberate about what truly matters and letting go of what doesn’t.
Belonging in leadership
Contrary to popular opinion, confidence is not a trait that you’re either lucky enough to be born with or you’re not. Everyone can learn to become confident and develop their confidence, it takes practice. I’m not talking about ‘fake it until you make it’, what I am talking about is developing real, unwavering confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Reclaiming perspective as a school leader
January isn’t quite the fresh start that September is for school leaders; it can feel more like a re-entry. The pace begins to build again quickly, diaries refill and the long stretch to the next break (and beyond) can suddenly feel very real. Many school leaders find themselves pulled straight back into the detail before they’ve had a chance to properly lift their heads.
Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely: The power of peer groups
Contrary to popular opinion, confidence is not a trait that you’re either lucky enough to be born with or you’re not. Everyone can learn to become confident and develop their confidence, it takes practice. I’m not talking about ‘fake it until you make it’, what I am talking about is developing real, unwavering confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Beyond the quick fix: finding balance in wellbeing that lasts
In this article, we’ll explore the difference between hedonic wellbeing; the temporary boost that comes from pleasure or relaxation and eudaemonic wellbeing; the deeper sense of satisfaction that comes from living and leading with purpose. Both matter and understanding them can help you find balance, protect your energy and lead in a way that feels good and does good.
Spotting your interference: leading with clarity and intention
Contrary to popular opinion, confidence is not a trait that you’re either lucky enough to be born with or you’re not. Everyone can learn to become confident and develop their confidence, it takes practice. I’m not talking about ‘fake it until you make it’, what I am talking about is developing real, unwavering confidence in yourself and your abilities.