Highdown School commissioned a keynote speech and follow up workshops for various staff groups. Our Positive Behaviour Conference was designed to support all colleagues in understanding the need for therapeutic approaches in education and to build confidence for all colleagues.
Mandy’s keynote was personal and poignant. She spoke about her journey in education and work in schools, social care and alternative providers. This gave us the ‘why’ we all need reminding about when working with young people who may present with significant challenges. A variety of colleagues spoke about how inspiring they found this and on the 3rd January in a hall where the heating had broken, this is no mean feat. Mandy’s workshops then went into the ‘how’ we can support young people and how working in a school is everyone’s responsibility. She was very clear that every adult has that role and exhorted us to be team players in this.
Both keynote and workshops were delivered with great humour, hard hitting examples and practical solutions.
Highdown School has a commitment to outstanding professional learning and Mandy delivered for us. We are thrilled that her career is now working with more colleagues to increase the number of young people who will benefit from her extensive experience and skill set.
Rachel Cave – Executive Head Teacher
“MW Education have worked with UTC Reading over a period of 9 months to provide support, advice and guidance on improving the school culture and establishing firm, clear, behaviour expectations throughout the school.
From start to finish, through redrafting the behaviour procedure, developing a respectful behaviours manifesto with students and staff, to on the ground support for staff tackling behaviour in their classrooms, Mandy and Sarah have provided support and guidance at a whole school and 1-1 level.
We have also engaged in the 1-1 behaviour coaching programme to support individual staff members to develop their skills and confidence in behaviour management. The improvement with one member of staff is so significant that an external auditor could not believe the member of staff was the same person after 6 months.
The personal input and strong relationships that Mandy and Sarah build with staff is incredible and supports them to see their potential and to have a direct positive impact on the lives of the young people we educate. The modelling of best practice, step by step support, and an open door for further conversation has been excellent and our whole community has reaped the benefits of working with these fantastic individuals. Thanks MW Education!”
Jennie Thompson – UTC Reading Head teacher
“Thank you for your support and expertise over the last few terms. I am certain that staff have benefited from it and the school is in a stronger position as a result”.
S Knowlton Executive Principal – UTC Swindon
Behaviour Bites 121 Coaching Programme
“I have found the course we completed together really helpful and I have managed to put some of the discussions we had into practice, which is certainly working better in the bigger room I am now in. I am certainly trying to frame my questions better to encourage the students to follow my instructions without their being conflict, which on the whole has helped”.
Emma C – Secondary English Teacher
” I enjoyed the coaching sessions, Mandy was friendly and brilliant. She reminded me of techniques to use in class, was thorough using questions, observation and feedback to encourage and guide my teaching.”
Wasinda – Head of Business Studies
“Mandy’s training has morphed the thinking and understanding of children’s behaviour in our school to give staff the courage to try new things, push the boundaries and develop deeper relationships with children”.
Sharon – Primary Head teacher
“The course delivered compelling and consistent support for staff to be able to learn more about managing behaviour and to reflect on and improve their practice”.
Nigel – Primary Head teacher
“Invaluable refresher in short and accessible webinars sparking shared discussion of best practice and renewing confidence in our shared approach”.
Becky – Primary Head teacher