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About me

Emma Gleadhill

Specialising in child/adolescent development and the emotional dimensions of teaching, learning and parenting.

In an uncertain and rapidly changing world, filled with conflicting and competing information, I bring clarity, insight, and humour as a speaker and trainer.

As a coach, my talks and workshops are thought-provoking, and designed to inspire further conversation and action.

I bring research-based insights into what drives human behaviour, group dynamics, and how small tweaks can make a big impact in our relationships with ourselves, with others, and with our work.

Supporting young people, strengthening their developing personalities, and leading them to take responsibility for their futures.

Supporting teachers and parents to deliver the best nurture and challenge for our children in a fast-moving world.

Consultancy grounded in up to date understanding of best practice in different educational settings.

Delivered by a practising teacher – grounded in the realities of school life, combined with considerable school leadership experience.

Emma Gleadhill

A wealth of experience

“I have a long standing reputation for delivering transformative learning in psychological wellbeing, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships. I work with over 50 schools throughout the UK and numerous national and international organisations as a speaker, trainer and parenting expert. I am frequently asked to contribute to leading parenting podcasts and to feature as an expert interviewee in radio and newspaper features on family life, education, and relationships.”
  • In 2013 I set up my consultancy practice initially providing pastoral INSET to the Girls Day School Trust network and rapidly expanding to other schools based on word-of mouth recommendations.
  • My background as a former school leader, NEU rep, governor, practicing teacher, and school-based coach enables me to be very much in tune with the realities of school life. My training resonates because it is all about application on the ground.
  • Also providing successful wellbeing and PSHCE talks for pupils – frequently booked on a regular basis by client schools.
  • Now providing parenting talks and workshops both in schools and in corporate settings.
  • In embarking on the MA in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, I had initially thought of retraining to become a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. During this pre-clinical training stage, I developed a strong belief that elements of Child Development Research, insights from progress in neuroscience, and Psychodynamic approaches could be of huge benefit in school life.
  • My vision is to combine my extensive experience of school life and postgraduate research to the benefit of pupils, parents and teachers who experience difficulties as part of the emotional aspects of everyday life but may not reach the threshold for accessing specialist interventions.
  • I provided group supervision for Designated Safeguarding Leads in regional clusters for the 26 Senior and Prep schools across the GDST network from Autumn 2018 to Summer 2022. I have provided consultancy advice to DSLs and their teams in Prep schools and Senior schools, supporting Governors in reviewing the work of Safeguarding teams.
  • Qualified as a teacher in 1997. Awarded the Walton Prize for excellence at the end of my PGCE at the University of Manchester.
  • Rapidly earning my stripes through commitment to excellence and leadership in pastoral care.
  • Head of House (Senior pastoral post) in the first co-educational school in the Arab World.
  • After outstanding results as Head of English, became Deputy Head (sole Deputy) at a leading Independent Girls’ School.
  • Returned to classroom teaching part time (2011 – 2013) whilst doing the pre-clinical training to become a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.
  • Part time teacher of English, and school-based professional coach 2014-2020 whilst my consultancy practice grew.’
  • Active school-based work continues to be an important part of my ethos as a trainer and coach.
  • MA in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies. This centres on working with children, young people and families. It forms the pre-clinical training for becoming a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust – a world leading centre of excellence in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
  • My studies incorporated the latest thinking in Child Development Research and Neuroscientific insights into development as well as the development of the personality.
  • I keep up to date by attending further CPD training at the Tavistock, as well as online courses in positive psychology, psychodynamic thinking, developing wellbeing and
  • Also specialising in group and institutional dynamics
  • Distinctions in Work Discussion paper and Young Child Observation study.
  • School Governor with an emphasis on Safeguarding and Wellbeing – at Charles Dickens Primary School in Southwark – an outstanding primary school. 2014-2020.
  • School Governor, City Heights High, Lambeth 2012-2015
  • In attendance at Governor meetings as Deputy Head since 2005 – so extensive experience of working alongside governors, within committee structures.
  • Providing training for Governing boards and assisting with Leadership appointments and Safeguarding Reviews as part of my consultancy work. 
  • ATL / NEU Representative 2013 -2019 – supporting constructive relationships during change management and supporting individual teachers and support staff.
  • One of 6 Union Representatives sitting on the Consultative Committee of the GDST network of 24 schools. 2013 – 2019.
  • My experiences as a union rep enables me to give down-to-earth, practical, and well-informed insights in teacher workshops. I fully appreciate the difficulties and worries teachers and others in support roles face in the day-to-day life of schools.
  • Deputy Head of Godolphin and Latymer School – a leading Girls’ Independent School 2005-2011.
  • National Professional Qualification for Headship (2006)
  • Child Protection / Safeguarding Lead
  • Helping hundreds of young people and their families when the growing got tough.
  • Established and well-regarded coach – supporting and empowering parents, professionals, and teens, who want more out of life. More purpose, more meaning, and greater fulfilment.
  • Extensive experience mentoring young people and families in difficulty – both in school and on a voluntary basis.
  • 2018 – Training as a professional coach with CTI – now Co-Active Training Institute – an internationally recognised provider of coaching training.
  • Dec 2018 – Completed the Co-Active Fundamentals and Co-Active Coach Training
  • Jan 2019 – Started my private coaching practice as a complement to the training and parenting work.
  • 2019-2020 Coaching one day per week for pupils and staff at Wimbledon High
School.
Parent of a wonderful teenage girl – and watching myself getting it right and wrong in the sand-tray of life. Fully grounded in the challenges of putting all that good parenting theory into practice!
  • TESTIMONIALS

What people are saying...

Emma delivered an interactive and engaging workshop which focussed on acknowledging, understanding and managing feelings. The girls were encouraged to ‘dig deep’ and analyse what they are feeling and to respond in an appropriate manner. Emma’s insightful workshops were beautifully crafted and delivered with humour and authority.

PSHCE Coordinator

Oxford High Juniors

Fantastic talk! Very useful and inspiring. Incorporating case study activities and action plans was helpful

Teacher

Streatham and Clapham high School

The girls came out saying it was the best talk they had ever had, and so many parents have emailed their appreciation of both talks to me today. I think the messages were very strong, defining resilience and about ‘work in progress.

Teacher

Pupil Workshop and Parent Talk at Putney High School

Thank you for the talk this evening, it was excellent and I think really important for parents to hear the messages that you delivered!

Parent webinar

Supporting our daughters when times get tough with friends

I know I speak for all the staff when I say how fabulous the workshop was today. Not only was it a powerful opportunity for our pupils to determine what values matter to them and then explore their boundaries, it was really impactful CPD for the staff. I’m sure the legacy of today will be long-lasting. I am so pleased that we managed to make it happen

Head Teacher

Healthy relationships and boundaries session with Year 5s

Our students and staff gained so much from working with Emma. The care she took to understand our specific context and what we were hoping to achieve had really positive results. The tailored programme she put together inspired confidence and faith in the students from the get-go and it was clear her approach reflected an acute appreciation about how young people experience the world. I would highly recommend working with Emma if you are seeking a bespoke and sensitive approach to pastoral care.

Claire Boyd

Head, Wimbledon High Juniors

The masterclass series on Difficult Conversations was a game changer for me. I started off thinking this was for work – but in essence, it has helped me be so much more effective in having difficult conversations in my life as a whole. I am so much more confident. This gives me more calm, which means I can listen better when difficult situations come up, and speak to my values and talk about what’s at stake so much more clearly. Thank you so much.

CPD

Difficult Conversations Masterclass

The Governors met last night and your report was warmly welcomed. Thank you for your hard work, sensitivity, and insight; your recommendations have so much more credibility as a result

Safeguarding review

Thank you for delivering such a powerful session. I knew it would be excellent but in some ways it felt more powerful because despite never visiting our school, you understood so much of the context! Our current approach around pastoral care is reactive and we are slowly changing that to being proactive. Tonight’s session will frame so much of the team’s thinking moving forwards!

Head teacher

Conversations that matter

Emma is by far the wisest and most capable coach / mentor / therapist I have ever worked with. Even though she would correct me and say she is not a therapist. She has helped me navigate the last year with realism ,compassion and has a no bullshit approach that I respond well to. I can’t recommend her highly enough. Just don’t take all my slots. I am keeping this women in my life for a long time .

Coaching Client

The session was really helpful for me in clarifying things a bit and seeing them from another perspective. There was an opportunity to try out some of the things we discussed recently… When the storm had blown through as it were, she did independently and unprompted say ‘I feel better now – I really just needed to let it all out’ which was gratifying to hear as it felt to me as though the slightly different approach had allowed that to happen.

Coaching Client

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