Shine Education and Training Ltd

TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials

"I have worked with Dave since September 2017, when I took on my first headship. As our School Improvement Partner, Dave’s pragmatic, supportive yet challenging, and knowledgeable approach helped us to move the school from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ in our EYFS and for ‘Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare’, in just over two years. From the outset, Dave made it clear that as long as I was doing the right things for the pupils in our school, he would support me – and he has. Dave has a wealth of knowledge and more importantly, experience under his belt and has always been able to support proposals with a wealth of resources and suggestions regarding ways forward. It’s always a pleasure to welcome Dave into school – he strikes a fantastic balance of being personable and professional and thus he has a positive impact on everyone he works with."

Kirsty Fitzscott | Headteacher of Shelley Primary School, Horsham

”That’s the best CPD I have ever had!” Just one of the many positive things that SESTA and Greensand Academy delegates tell me when they come out of one of Dave’s sessions. Dave has worked for the South East Surrey Teaching Alliance (SESTA) for a number of years delivering the SHINE leadership programmes and also running CPD workshops at our Greensand Academy conferences.

The feedback from our delegates is always outstanding; Dave is a charismatic trainer who consistently runs high quality CPD that addresses the needs of the delegates. Dave just seems to have the knack of knowing how to get the best from people. His sessions always have an undertone of purposeful humour and he is highly skilled in creating a learning environment where delegates feel safe to engage. Dave’s training is definitely having a positive effect on the teaching staff across the Teaching School Alliance and the Academy and this will only benefit the children that we teach. I can’t recommend Dave highly enough.

Richie Emerson | Director of Teaching School, SESTA

Teaching School Alliance 24, based in West Sussex, has worked with Dave since 2016 and he has become our absolute 'go-to' for all things leadership. Dave has facilitated both our Middle and Senior Leadership programmes, which are always over-subscribed. Thus far, over 100 leaders have attended the programmes leaving positive feedback about, not only the content of the courses, but about Dave's energetic and passionate approach which often leaves delegates asking for more. Dave supports teachers and leaders to think about how to sustain an ever increasing workload with practical and emotional tools to help keep roles in school manageable. Dave has also supported our alliance at governance conferences and has more recently led our 'Headspace' sessions for Headteachers / Senior Leaders; these sessions have allowed delegates to explore the current challenges schools are facing whilst building stronger professional networks with the aim of creating the ultimate school-led system. TSA24 have been so impressed with Dave's work that we regularly recommend him to other teaching schools and local authorities, which we have stopped doing recently as it means we can't book him for ourselves!

Shelley Baker and Wendy Colson | Teaching School Alliance 24 Managers, Southwater

Dave has been our School Improvement Partner during my first year of headship. Dave helped us move the school from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good and Outstanding in Early Years’, through his use of supportive challenge, experience, expertise and coaching. I have found Dave both incredibly approachable and knowledgeable. I would thoroughly recommend Dave for whole-school support, leadership training in coaching skills and one-to-one professional coaching; he manages to be undeterred by political agenda and his passion for teaching and learning is refreshingly infectious.

Shirley Kirby | Headteacher of Warnham Primary School, Horsham

I have known, and worked with Dave, since 2007 and during that time have never failed to be inspired and motivated by what he says. Dave understands the challenges that school leaders and teachers face and has the ability of making you believe that you can do it and make a difference! He very quickly celebrates your strengths and instils a sense of self belief through well informed questioning, analysis, professional and personal empathy, strategic overview and great humour. He knows what matters and helps to de-clutter and sharpen thinking by asking the right questions to make you think and move forward into action. Dave has a natural ability to combine humour with the serious business of getting it right for the children in our schools.

Sue Winterton | School Improvement Adviser, Babcock International

I first got to know Dave in 2013 when Yattendon School began to train teachers through the Surrey South Farnham SCITT. From the beginning he was enthusiastic about school based teacher training, something that stems from his driving passion for on-going teacher professional development. It was apparent that Dave had much to offer to SSF SCITT and took on the role of support tutor. Throughout his time working in this role he has been determined to have the maximum impact on his trainee’s development. As well as being a reliable tutor and assessor, he is an outstanding coach, helping many trainees to understand more about their performance and how they can progress towards their goals. In his work Dave marries a determination for quality with necessary humility and a natural, easy manner. People like to work with Dave.

Ian Hollingsworth | Programme Director | Surrey South Farnham SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme)

I have worked with Dave since 2010 as a fellow head teacher in the Horley Learning Partnership confederation. During this time Dave has supported me, and my school, to develop leadership capacity as well as helping to grow leadership across the confederation. He has coached and mentored my middle and senior leaders, each of them raving about the high level of support they have received. Each has been able to develop their leadership skills as a result of his outstanding coaching and mentoring delivered in a professional and approachable manner.

I was lucky enough to be an onlooker at a recent mentoring session with my two SCITT students (with Dave present as their mentor.) Both students came into the meeting feeling overwhelmed and extremely pressurised in light of the challenging workload. As a result of Dave’s style of working, supportive tone and through skilled coaching, both students felt supported, positive, motivated and ready to take on the next challenge!

On a personal note, Dave has been a fantastic support to me, as a head teacher, through his ability to listen and always having a practical suggestion to solve any problem. However, the best thing about Dave is his ongoing positivity which is infectious to be around. He is an inspirational leader that drives others through his support, motivation and his willingness to always listen. Dave recognises everyone’s strengths and motivates them through the focus of what they can do and the difference they can make. He can inspire anyone through his motivational talks!

Nicky Jones | Headteacher | Manorfield Primary School, Surrey

Dave has supported me as a new Head to work with a newly established leadership team to create a shared vision for the school. His enthusiasm and exuberance along with his skilled questioning has enabled us to reflect and acknowledge what the school does well and what the next steps are to drive the school forward. Dave is a skilled facilitator, knowing when to contribute and offer advice and when to step back and allow us to discuss among ourselves. He is extremely professional, motivating and challenging yet always with a sense of humour.

I have personally appreciated his support and guidance through his coaching to enable me to focus on school improvement and outcomes for children.

Jane Pipe | Headteacher | Meath Green Infant School, Surrey

I have enjoyed working with Dave since 2008 and during this time have seen how his approach has helped unlock the potential in many colleagues. Dave has an uncanny ability to ask the right question at the right time in order to help staff get ‘unstuck’. This powerful skill has allowed his coachees to ‘own’ their solutions. Even though the business of education and school improvement is a serious one, Dave has the skill to cut through the intensity with humour and fun.

Julie Chandler | Head of School (Junior) | The Federation of Earlswood Schools, Surrey

As a leader with nearly 20 years experience in Headship, I have worked with many school leaders and schools. I have worked with Dave since 2003 when he began his teaching career. Over the last couple of years I have enjoyed working very closely with Dave; we have planned and carried out peer-review projects during which we have focused on improving the effectiveness of leadership and management in our respective schools. Dave is consummately professional, open-minded, humourous and developmental. He puts staff at their ease and leaves them feeling motivated and energised. He is meticulous in his organisation and always keeps our sessions/meetings focused. Dave’s real strength is his questioning or coaching approach.

Bob Twells | Headteacher | St. Martin’s Church of England Junior School, Epsom, Surrey

I have worked with Dave since 2012 and have him to thank for my own success in leadership. I began working with Dave when I was an NQT and I am now part of his senior leadership team. Dave’s own leadership has given me confidence in my abilities as a leader and has allowed me to fulfil dreams in my own career which I did not think would be possible. The support and guidance I have been given from Dave has made me much more self-aware and helped me to feel empowered to lead others. I have been given endless opportunities, which at times have taken me out of my comfort zone, but all of which have only improved my confidence and leadership skills.

Katrina Pirt | Senior Leader and Year 6 Teacher | Yattendon School, Surrey

Dave is my programme support tutor and is very passionate about his role. He has a genuine desire for his trainees to succeed. He has encouraged me to be reflective of my teaching, to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Dave’s presence is positive, uplifting and always of a supportive nature; exactly what is required when under pressure as a trainee teacher. He always strives for you to develop your own teaching style and equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed. Nothing is too much trouble for Dave, even traveling all the way to Bournemouth to observe me in my second placement! On a personal note I would like to thank Dave Cole for his exceptional and continuous support throughout my teacher training year.

I could not ask for a better support tutor.

Laura Ollivierre | Trainee Teacher | Surrey South Farnham SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme)

In recent years, I have had the pleasure of being coached and mentored by Dave on both his Middle and Senior Leadership Programmes. Straight away, Dave takes pride in getting to know all delegates on his programmes, generating an instant rapport with them. He will listen keenly, asking probing questions which challenge participants, encouraging them to think and reflect on their approach to different professional situations. When facilitating sessions, Dave is always engaging, extremely knowledgeable and will passionately ensure that the children/students remain at the heart of all leadership decisions. He does this using the knowledge and expertise that he has acquired in his many different professional roles. I would thoroughly recommend Dave’s leadership programmes and would also recommend him as a leadership coach.

James Butcher | Assistant Headteacher | Participant on Senior and Middle Leader Programme

As a participant on the Horley Schools Middle Leaders Programme, I found Dave to be very approachable and willing to provide support that has allowed me to develop as a middle leader. He is always willing to answer specific professional dilemmas I've had and offered thoughts and ideas on how to best resolve these. Consequently, I now feel much better equipped to carry out my different roles in school.

Fiona Barber | Participant on Middle Leader Programme | Literacy Leader and Year 6 Teacher

April 2018...

...We have recently received a very favourable OFSTED report. We are now allowed to make this public and inform parents though the report will not go live on the OFSTED website until April. There has been tireless work at school by all staff but I would very much like to recognise the contribution made by our link advisor, Dave Cole. To get a Good grading from our starting point has been devilishly demanding. The support of my excellent team, including highly skilled governors has been magnificent since I took up this post in January 2017. Dave however, has presented us with a terrific challenge. He is positive and meticulously objective, bringing a personal warmth, based on his understanding of the school and his determination to get to know us well, which he has done. This allowed him to tailor his support to meet our needs, some being very unique to Arunside....

Rich Roberts | Headteacher | Arunside Primary School, Horsham

“Dave has supported me as a new head for the last year and I have found that support truly invaluable and worth every penny spent out of an extremely tight school budget. Through running very personalised coaching sessions Dave was able to help me carefully and thoughtfully ‘unpick’ what my leadership strengths were, and more importantly, help me identify where improvements could still be made for the benefit of myself and our school. Dave is exceptionally insightful and has a superb ability to make you feel at ease when talking about sometimes personal and difficult subject matter. His coaching support this year has really helped me to identify and make appropriate changes to our organisation which have greatly benefitted both staff and children. Dave has always been a hugely supportive ‘ear’ at the end of the telephone or email and always seems to manage to find time for you, in his incredibly busy schedule, when you most need it. He is also a great source of educational wisdom and honest, good advice.

I could not recommend Dave more highly and I am extremely grateful for his help and support in navigating the challenging road of school leadership!”

Co - Headteacher | Primary School, Surrey

“…Dave recently delivered a great evening of governor training. We all received documentation beforehand - packs of really helpful handouts to support an informative presentation; he also left us with follow up work to support us going forward.

Dave delivered his presentation with authority and enthusiasm which encouraged some great discussion amongst the governing body. With 10 of us present and a FGB meeting next week, I feel confident that we will be able to implement some ideas to drive our monitoring work forward…”

Carol D | Chair of Governors | Holbrook Primary, Horsham

“… I know we've said it already, but thank you again, for one of the most rewarding training programmes we've ever attended. We feel we’ve learnt so much (although there's still a lot to learn), and your coaching sessions have been quite a revelation! I hope and plan to continue the good work you've put in, making sure I give my coachees time, when I coach rather than lead or talk!

I would and will recommend your programme to anyone, as we've all got so much from it, and in different ways. I hope we will get the chance to work together in the future…"

Karen J | Early Years Leader | Hamsey Green Primary School, Surrey

“Dave has been brilliant at coaching our leadership team towards maximising team productivity, collaboration and – ultimately – enjoyment of work! His approach has not only facilitated thought and theory around distributing leadership, it has encouraged implementation of collaborative strategies to encourage our business leaders to better empower members of their teams to together take our business to the next level. Uniquely, Dave has achieved fantastic outcomes whilst ensuring training is enjoyable and fun, with a focus on full participation from the whole team during the sessions.”

Paul R, Managing Director | Owner and Founder | Sweethaven Computers, Reigate, Surrey

“…I have had the pleasure of working with Dave since 2014. As Director of Surrey South Farnham SCITT, Surrey’s largest primary school-based teacher training provider, I am entrusted with the care and progress of over 100 trainees across Surrey. Dave works for me as a Support Tutor, an Assessor, a Programme Consultant, a Marketing Consultant and delivers high quality Behaviour Management training for our trainees. His passion for developing the potential of each and every one of his tutees is infectious.

He is passionate about quality-first teaching, the trainee’s well-being and the need for exceptional teachers and leaders in our schools. When he talks to our trainees he always keeps children at the heart of his work. Through his behaviour management training sessions for the programme, he helps trainees understand the importance of establishing positive relationships with the children in their school and carefully builds up a range of behaviour management strategies for them to take away and use in their teaching practice. As a result of this award-winning training, I have never seen so few developmental targets regarding behaviour management on mentor and support tutor reports. Trainees are using the strategies from their training and it works! I would not hesitate to recommend Dave Cole to you….”

Claire H | Deputy CEO | South Farnham Educational Trust

“…I have been a Headteacher for almost twenty years and have worked with many Advisors and Consultants during that time. Dave has a refreshing, positive and developmental approach to Leadership development which enables colleagues to engage and enjoy even difficult tasks! He has worked with the staff, Governors and myself over the past twelve months and has lifted our spirits with his ‘can do’ attitude, clarity of focus and positive energy. He has a wide tool kit of skills and a plethora of resources which he is willing to share to support all aspects of teaching and learning….”

Sue W | Headteacher | Southwater Infant Academy, West Sussex