While Hamdon Education offers access to consultancy and other support in a number of different contexts, we specialise in particular in:

School improvement through the development of governance and senior management

Nigel has worked with dozens of schools and local authorities since 1990 on the evaluation and development of their leadership structures. His clients have included upwards of 80 local authorities in England & Wales, the National College, the DfE, Ofsted, the British Council and the National Governors’ Association, as well as a range of schools in varied environments and with different issues. He received a National Teaching Award in 2007 for his work in school governance. “Improving School Governance” (Routledge) has been described by the Times Education Supplement as “an essential guide to help governors”

Supporting organisational change and development in the public, private and voluntary sectors

Nigel has supported local authorities and voluntary organisations in coping with the evolving demands on local government and charities. He has worked extensively with the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Haringey, and the Borough of Sandwell in the West Midlands. His book “Managing Change in Voluntary Organizations”, published by the Open University Press, has been widely used in this country and abroad.

Research, consultancy and training in community education and development (for example, in supplementary schooling, early excellence centres, school/community relations, community work training)

Nigel’s work in the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda during the 2000s covered England from Lancashire to the south-west and London. He has supported the development of supplementary education in London, Leicester, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham. His survey of best practice was an early work of research in the area. He has supported community development work in Cumbria, Southampton, Manchester, the west midlands and London.

Coaching and mentoring of leaders in personal and professional development

Nigel has provided coaching and mentoring for senior leaders in education since 1996. He uses a solutions-focused approach developed by the Centre for Solutions Focus at Work, and is currently exploring host leadership in schools, workplaces and the community. He provides both face-to-face and virtual coaching, individually and in small groups. He has led coaching and peer support groups for school leaders for Education Support Partnership since 2013.

Coaching, training and workshopping in wellbeing for organisations

Nigel has provided training and seminars on wellbeing for schools, universities and professional groups since 2008. His style is participative and inclusive and bespoke to the situation. He has delivered to universities in Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Leicester and London, to professional associations, schools and colleges.