Authors
Voices from the field
Meet the named contributors behind HeadteacherChat articles and follow their published work.
Editorial contributors
Named authors and their published work on HeadteacherChat.
Adrian Bethune
Adrian Bethune is a primary teacher, author and founder of Teachappy, with a focus on pupil and staff wellbeing. He is also Deputy Chair of the Well Schools strategic board and has written widely on wellbeing in schools.
Adrian Burt
Adrian Burt is an EdTech entrepreneur and founder of MarvellousMe, now part of Juniper Education. His work focuses on helping schools strengthen parent engagement and communication.
Al Kingsley
Al Kingsley MBE is CEO of NetSupport and an education technology author, speaker and school governance leader. His work focuses on educational technology, digital strategy, safeguarding and the effective use of technology in schools.
Andrew Morrish
Andrew Morrish is founder and managing director of Makana Leadership. He is a former headteacher, trust CEO, inspector and National Leader of Education, and writes and speaks on school leadership and transformation.
Andy Kent
Andy Kent is an education technology leader and contributor to HeadteacherChat, with experience supporting schools and public-sector education organisations through digital products and services.
Charlie Higson
Charlie Higson is an acclaimed British author, comedy writer, producer, actor and screenwriter. He is known for the Young Bond series, The Enemy series and his work as co-creator and performer on The Fast Show.
Claire Gadsby
Claire Gadsby is a teaching and learning consultant, speaker and author of Perfect Assessment for Learning. Her work focuses on assessment, responsive teaching, professional learning and helping schools make learning more effective.
Dan Edwards
Dan Edwards is a former school leader, speaker and writer on leadership, culture and school improvement. His work focuses on people-centred leadership, organisational culture, wellbeing and creative approaches to education.
David Didau
David Didau is an education consultant, teacher trainer, former English teacher and author. Known for The Learning Spy, his work focuses on English, curriculum, cognitive science, accountability and evidence-informed teaching.
Dylan Wiliam
Dylan Wiliam is an education researcher, writer and former teacher whose work focuses on assessment, formative assessment and improving teaching and learning. He is widely known for his contribution to evidence-informed education practice.
Ed Fairfield
Ed Fairfield is an education technology leader at Elementary Technology and Vice Chair of Naace, the EdTech Association. He works with schools on digital strategy, technology planning and making effective use of EdTech.
Emma Porter-Weeks, FlashAcademy®
Emma Porter-Weeks contributes education insight through FlashAcademy®, with a focus on multilingual learners, EAL provision and inclusive support for pupils in schools.
Emma Turner
Emma Turner is an experienced primary education leader, author and speaker. She has worked as a teacher, senior leader, consultant and trust leader, with a focus on curriculum, professional development and primary leadership.
Hannah Carter
Hannah Carter is a headteacher, executive coach and author of The Honest Headteacher and The Honest DSL. Her work focuses on honest, practical support for school leadership and safeguarding.
HeadteacherChat editorial team
The HeadteacherChat editorial team produces practical briefings, summaries and guidance for school leaders, drawing on community discussion, official publications and sector evidence.
Helen Kelly
Helen Kelly is an educator wellbeing and workplace culture consultant, speaker and writer. A former international school principal and lawyer, she works with schools on strategic approaches to leader and staff wellbeing.
John Cunliffe
John Cunliffe is a financial services professional with experience supporting people working in education. He provides specialist financial advice for teachers and education-sector professionals, including planning for mortgages, family finances and retirement.
Jon Smedley
Jon Smedley is an educational consultant and Managing Director of Teach Active. A former senior leader, primary adviser and PE consultant, he works with schools on active learning, curriculum engagement and physical activity across the school day.
Jonathan Coy
Jonathan Coy is CEO and co-founder of HeadteacherChat®, a qualified coach, education consultant and former school leader with close to 30 years in education, including senior leadership and a Deputy CEO role in a multi-academy trust. He has served as a trustee and governor, and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Kate Jones
Kate Jones is a teacher, leader, bestselling education author and international speaker. She is an Advisory Board member at Evidence Based Education and is known for her work on retrieval practice, assessment and evidence-informed teaching.
Kirsten Colquhoun
Kirsten Colquhoun is an experienced educator, pastoral lead, author and founder of KC Education Services. Her work focuses on pupil wellbeing, inclusion and professional development for schools.
Lee Haywood
Lee Haywood is founder of Online Safety UK and has a background in policing, safeguarding and education. He works with schools on online safety, safeguarding, public speaking and practical support for pupils, staff and families.
Lekha Sharma
Lekha Sharma is an education leader, author and school improvement specialist. She has worked across curriculum, assessment and teaching in schools and trusts, and is author of Curriculum to Classroom.
Lisa Broad
Lisa Broad is a security consultant with extensive experience in counter-terrorism, emergency response and protective security. She previously led counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness work for the Department for Education, including work linked to Martyn’s Law and the education sector.
Lucy Coy
Lucy Coy is co-founder and joint CEO of HeadteacherChat®, a former acting headteacher, deputy headteacher, assistant headteacher and inclusion lead. She creates school leader planners and supports education consultancy, resources and marketing for education organisations. Lucy is a Member of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Luke Pargeter
Luke Pargeter is the founder and CEO of iAM Compliant, a school-focused compliance and estates management platform. His work supports schools with statutory compliance, estates management and operational assurance.
Lynn How
Lynn How is an educational consultant, practising SENCO, SENCO trainer, author and editor of Teacher Toolkit. Her work focuses on SEND, children’s mental health, staff wellbeing, leadership, mentoring and coaching.
Margaret Mulholland, ASCL SEND and Inclusion Specialist
Margaret Mulholland is SEND and Inclusion Policy Specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders. She works with schools, trusts and policy groups on inclusive practice, SEND policy and improving outcomes for learners with additional needs.
Maria Brosnan
Maria Brosnan is an educational leadership and wellbeing specialist, author, coach and speaker. Through Pursuit Wellbeing, she supports school leaders and trusts with resilience, stress regulation and sustainable leadership wellbeing.
Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson, known as ICT Evangelist, is a former school leader, author, speaker and education technology consultant. He works with schools, trusts and education organisations on purposeful, effective and ethical use of technology and AI.
Mark Solomons
Mark Solomons is founder and CEO of Edu Intelligence from Welbee and creator of Welbee. His work focuses on staff wellbeing, leadership culture and helping schools use evidence to make clearer decisions.
Matthew Evans
Matthew Evans is a headteacher and education author, co-author of The Next Big Thing and author of Leaders With Substance. His work focuses on school leadership, teaching and evidence-informed professional practice.
Matthew Lane
Matthew Lane is a primary teacher, writer and speaker, and a former Royal Navy officer. His work focuses on curriculum, leadership, change and Religion and Worldviews education.
Melanie Moore
Melanie Moore is CEO of Cornerstones Education and a primary curriculum specialist. She has extensive experience in primary education, curriculum design, school advisory work and educational publishing.
Nadim Saad
Nadim Saad is a parenting and relationship coach, author and founder of The Happy Confident Company. His work supports parents, children and schools with emotional intelligence, confidence and resilience.
Nick Hart
Nick Hart is a school leader and education author, known for Impact and Culture. He writes and speaks on school improvement, leadership, assessment and building effective school cultures.
Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni is founder of The Table Group and an author and speaker on organisational health, teamwork and leadership. His books are widely used by leaders and organisations to strengthen culture, trust and performance.
Patrick Ottley-O'Connor
Patrick Ottley-O’Connor is an executive leader, leadership consultant, coach and speaker working across education. His work focuses on school leadership, wellbeing, professional development and supporting leaders to lead with clarity and purpose.
Paul Ainsworth
Paul K. Ainsworth is an education consultant, speaker and author with a focus on school improvement. He is the author of No Silver Bullets and writes on practical, sustainable approaches to leadership and improvement.
Peter Hughes
Peter J Hughes is an education leader, former CEO of the Mossbourne Federation and founder of ProgressTeaching. He is the author of Outstanding School Leadership, with a focus on teaching improvement, school leadership and raising educational outcomes.
Peter Mattock
Peter Mattock has been teaching maths since 2006 and is a specialist leader of education (SLE) and an accredited secondary maths professional development lead who regularly presents at conferences across the country. Peter is also part of the first cohort of the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics’ (NCETM) secondary mastery specialists, developing teaching for mastery in the secondary school classroom. Peter is based in Leicestershire, in the UK.
Phil Denton
Phil Denton is Chief Operating Officer at EdStart Schools, a former headteacher and author of The First 100 Days. His work focuses on leadership, alternative provision, school culture and supporting vulnerable young people.
Rachel Johnson
Rachel Johnson is CEO of PiXL, a school leadership network that supports school leaders to improve outcomes and life chances for young people. Her work focuses on leadership, collaboration and school improvement.
Rachel Macfarlane
Rachel Macfarlane is an education consultant, speaker and author. A former Director of Education Services at HFL Education and former headteacher, she writes on school improvement, equity, inclusion and great schools.
Robert Surtees
Robert Surtees is a financial planning professional with extensive experience supporting people in education. His work focuses on helping teachers and education professionals plan for long-term financial security and life goals.
Sam Strickland
Sam Strickland is a principal, CEO and education author with a focus on behaviour, school culture and leadership. His books include The Behaviour Manual, Education Exposed and They Don’t Behave For Me.
Selena Whitehead
Selena Whitehead is a teacher, trainer and speaker specialising in character education, strengths-based practice and wellbeing. She supports schools to embed character strengths and develop practical wellbeing approaches.
Shazad Ali
Shazad Ali is a qualified behaviour management professional and Lead Alternative Provision Manager at Bradford Academy. His work focuses on pastoral support, behaviour and alternative provision.
Sophie Wilkinson
Sophie Wilkinson is an education technology product leader at CPOMS Systems, where she has led product management and helped deliver safeguarding and school support solutions. Before joining CPOMS, she worked as a teacher in the UK.
Stephen Tierney
Stephen Tierney is an education consultant, author and former headteacher. His work draws on extensive school leadership experience and focuses on leadership, purpose, curriculum and improving schools.
Toria Bono
Toria Bono is a classroom teacher, author and host of the Tiny Voice Talks podcast. Her work focuses on teacher voice, professional reflection and helping educators listen to and learn from one another.
Tracey O'Brien
Tracey O’Brien is a London school leader, headteacher, school improvement adviser and author. She has held senior leadership roles including deputy headteacher and acting headteacher, with a focus on school self-review and improvement.
Victoria Bagnall
Victoria Bagnall is co-founder and Managing Director of Connections in Mind, a community interest company that helps people understand and develop executive function skills. Her work supports pupils, families and schools with practical approaches to learning, self-regulation and wellbeing.
Viv Grant
Viv Grant is a former headteacher, executive coach, author, speaker and founder of Integrity Coaching. Her work supports school leaders with resilience, wellbeing, emotional leadership and the inner realities of headship.
Will Ryan
Will Ryan is an education author, speaker and former teacher, headteacher and local authority adviser. His work focuses on leadership with moral purpose, creativity, outdoor learning and inspirational teaching.
Zoe Enser
Zoe Enser is a former HMI, school leader, English specialist and education author. She worked as Ofsted's National Lead for Secondary English and Drama and is now school improvement lead for a multi-academy trust in the North West, supporting CPD, curriculum and teaching.
How member publishing works
HeadteacherChat publishes practical writing grounded in real school leadership. Contributors write from experience, identify their role and interests, and work with the editorial team before an article goes live. Each published byline links back to an author page so readers can understand who is speaking and find their other articles. This keeps authorship clear and gives useful experience the context it deserves.
We welcome useful reflection, tested practice and honest accounts of leadership challenges. We do not publish anonymous promotion as member editorial. Commercial relationships are disclosed, and readers can move from this directory to the complete blog library or learn how to pitch an article.