About
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Our Mission
Our Growing Team
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 Our Director's Mission
To put Heads and educational leaders first - helping you to thrive; not just survive.Â
The challenge has never been greater. In 2023/24, 40,800 teachers left the profession — almost 1 in 10. Five years after qualifying, 33% of new teachers have gone. 84% of school leaders report high stress, and over half of UK teachers say they don’t feel empowered by their management.
So, what’s the answer to this alarming trend?Â
One powerful lever - CULTURE:
The culture you create hugely influences whether people stay, grow, or go.
Culture is the invisible force that makes or breaks a school. Most leaders talk about it — but shifting or shaping it, while managing inspections, workload, and daily pressures, is tough.
That’s where we come in. We help schools to:
- Develop impactful, reflective, resilient leaders who act strategically, vs. reactively
- Build an inclusive, self-sustaining coaching culture of empowerment, growth and well-being
- Strengthen teams to sustain momentum and motivation when pressure mounts
Through programmes that are:
  100% Supportive │ Flexible │ Manageable
Creating high performing, thriving cultures that:
✔️Retain, develop and attract talent
✔️Boost morale & sustain well-being
✔️Strengthen professional growth
✔️Drive school improvement
We've had the privilege of supporting hundreds of inspirational leaders to become the best versions of themselves. Now, with a growing team, we offer a range of online and face-to-face programmes right across the UK — and hope you’ll feel inspired to join us.
Head First Associates
Our associates bring expertise in coaching, leadership and school improvement, extending our reach and impact across schools.
Bob Benson
As Headteacher of an outstanding secondary school in the South East for 8 years, maintaining exceptionally high standards of education year-on-year, Bob often used effective coaching methods to help aspiring leaders in his own school and seeing the tangible impact on their development, wellbeing and career progression. His firm belief is that every leader, both current and aspiring should have a coach.
With almost 20 years’ experience in senior leadership positions in some of the highest performing schools in the South East and abroad, Bob is a certified AACT coach and an Associate with the Association for Coaching. He specialises in supporting and developing educational leaders at all levels, both personally and professionally and fully understands the requirements and pressures of leadership.
Bob currently also works as a School Improvement Partner and an ASCL Local Representative for South East England. Additionally, he chairs an In-Year Fair Access Panel in a disadvantaged coastal area and supports initial teacher trainees with the TES Institute. In his spare time Bob enjoys running, however his Couch to 5k took longer than anyone imagined!
Carole Hornsby
Carole has almost 30 years experience in education and was the former head of an Outstanding primary school, before becoming Education Director for Maritime Multi-Academy Trust, in London, where she supports a diverse range of schools, leading on school improvement.
Carole has a passion for coaching and thrives on supporting others. She is an accredited Olevi and BASICs coach, and also has a vast experience in mentoring and leading professional development.
Carole's other leadership qualifications include the NPQH and she has also led Challenge Partners and has an Ambition fellowship.
EXCLUSIVELY BY HEAD FIRST
Coaching Programmes
1:2:1 Leadership Coach-sulting
Support and growth for executive and senior leaders through a combined coaching and consulting approach.
Middle Leader Quads
Develop and grow as a leader, along with the support of other middle leaders, who share similar challenges.Â
3 Heads Are Better Than 1
Continue your professional development with the support of a fantastic group of UK-wide peers, in the same role.
1:2:1 Simply Coaching
Navigate your unique challenges and priorities, setting your own agenda, in a 100% confidential, safe space.
Empower Hour Coaching
Need some urgent, confidential support or advice? Confidential support guarenteed within 24 hours.
Interview Coaching
Smash that interview and get your dream job, through Head First's Interview skills coaching package.