How I FlourishEd.

I never imagined that I would leave teaching until I did.

It wasn't something that I had planned to do, nor an epiphany. It just happened. By the time I left, I had been a Deputy Headteacher at the same school for 7 years. I had been in senior leadership positions in schools for the 10 years prior. I knew my trade inside out. After 31 years, I was one of the oldest and longest serving school leaders in the city.

I loved working with the children and increasingly, parents, teachers and school leaders came to me for advice. When the isolation and confusion of the pandemic hit, I was suddenly being asked for support and counsel on matters far beyond the realms of school life. People needed to be heard and feel supported. Maybe this was the beginning...

Shortly afterwards I completed my first coaching qualification. I had to start learning again. I looked for opportunities to mentor and support whenever I could. I remember feeling nervous when I led my first session for trustees and governors in a multi academy trust. I coached aspirant Deputy and Headteachers founded on the Ethical Leadership framework. Using a blended wisdom model, I created steadfast relations with colleagues.

Coaching became my passion.

I wanted to help parents and children who, post pandemic, were struggling with school. I wanted to stop the brilliant new teachers from leaving education before they barely started. And, I wanted to empower leaders to lovingly shape the community they served.

So, with my resignation letter accepted, it's time to make FlourishEd grow.