Educational Excellence Mastermind
You’re the sum of the 5 schools you see most.
We expose you to schools at the cutting-edge of education.
So you and your school are always ahead of the curve.
Take control of your school's future - join our educational excellence pioneers
Learn from the best
Learn from great schools, great leaders, and great experts
Learn as a team
Membership is for you and your leadership team
Be supported by great leaders from across the UK
Who you wouldn’t otherwise meet and who want your school to be brilliant
Getting to good is well supported. But the journey from great isn’t.
Most schools you meet are good. If you walk into 5 schools:
- 3 will be good
- 1 will be less than good
- 1 is more likely to be inadequate
than outstanding
You help improve other schools. But who helps you go beyond great?
Hear about the impact from group members
Educational Excellence Mastermind Group
What’s Included?
Termly visits to recently outstanding schools
3 full day visits to recently outstanding schools that we have chosen specifically due to their unique challenges and how they overcame them.
These days will truly inspire you, give you great practice to adapt and take back to your school and show that every school can be outstanding.
Expert speakers
Termly expert speakers to bring you the best ideas.
Termly visits to Mastermind members schools
3 full day visits to Mastermind members schools, these visits are to showcase what each member is doing that makes their school great.
It’s an opportunity to be inspired, get ideas and share advice on any areas they might want help with.
Headteacher support group
1 hour a fortnight headteacher support group.
A supportive group where you don’t have to wear your ‘leadership mask’ and we’ll resolve your leadership challenges.
This group of high performing heads share their challenges, their success and their advice.
Termly leadership team focus sessions
6 x 1 hour online sessions, with your SLT, to look at the half term ahead and keep one step ahead as a leader.
Valuable, strategic leadership time.
Environmental walk
1 environmental walk.
We keep edging up the quality of your environment with an annual environmental walk-around, high impact, low cost changes in just a few hours.
Half-termly strategic and best practice sessions
6 x afternoon online sessions, one per half term.
We will look at ways to level up your performance management, budget, get more time in your week, do less but do it better, and more.
Annual events
1 ticket for your SLT to join our annual flagship conference ‘Outstanding against the odds’.
1 ticket for your SLT to join our conference ‘Kindly and effectively tackling under-performance in schools’.
Training
2 places at our Successful Difficult Conversations training.
2 places at Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Good training.
Sound like your kind of group? Great, let’s talk.
Get in touch
Book a call via our contact us page, letting us know you're interested in joining the Mastermind Group.
Together we’ll decide if the group is right for you
We'll have a chat, and if we both think we’ll be a good fit, you’ll be invited to join. If it’s not, we’ll explore what would be best for you.
Become part of a thriving group, moving your school from great to greater
Exciting times for you and your SLT. We’ll send you all the information you need to get the most out of the group.
At Heads Up, we know that you want to constantly improve your school for your children. In order to do that, you need to be learning from other great leaders.
The problem is it’s hard and time-consuming to find like-minded heads that can support and challenge you to be even better, which can make you feel alone, wondering how you can keep doing better for your children.
We believe you’re the sum of the five schools you hang out with most.
We understand it’s hard to find the headteachers and schools that will stretch you, which is why we have found aspirational headteachers (who accept no excuses and lead happy schools) to form the Educational Excellence Mastermind which supports and challenges you to be even better.
Meet Sonia Gill
Sonia Gill created the Educational Excellence Mastermind Group to support the journey beyond outstanding.
Sonia has been walking into great schools for over a decade and is a qualified teacher who has taught every age from Reception to 16. She was selected to join the prestigious John Lewis leadership programme where she led a number of multi-million-pound business areas.
Read more...
She is a speaker at educational events and the author of two number 1 ranked Amazon books ‘Journey to Outstanding (2nd edition)’ and ‘Successful Difficult Conversations in Schools’.
Schools Sonia and her team support are 300% more likely to gain or maintain their outstanding grade than the average (and they don’t focus on Ofsted, because none of us do what we do for Ofsted, we do it for our children).
FAQS
What’s Included?
- Termly visits to recently outstanding schools.
- Termly visits to great schools within this group.
- Half-termly strategic sessions with Sonia, focusing on creating higher performance.
- Termly expert webinars.
- A range of Heads Up events.
- Places at Heads Up training.
- Fortnightly headteacher support sessions.
- Half-termly 1 hour SLT sessions, strategically looking at the term ahead.
How much is it?
- Membership is currently £11,000+VAT for a year.
How many people from my team can join?
- Up to 6 of your SLT, additional members are £550+VAT.
Meet The Heads Up Mastermind Heads
Beth Dyer, Headteacher, Nine Acres Primary School, Isle of Wight
Nine Acres Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school where there is an above-average number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals or who have educational health plans and SEN support.
The school’s vision:
We are a school in which everyone is ‘Striving for Excellence’.
Cindy Acres, Headteacher, Westrop Primary School, Swindon
Westrop Primary School is an average-sized primary school where there is an above-average number of pupils who have educational health plans or SEN support.
The school’s vision:
We will grow a great school with deep roots that champions everyone to achieve.
The heartwood of our school is we love and nurture everyone within it regardless.
The cradle of our branches creates a happy place that allows everyone to blossom.
Our golden leaves grow from our children’s joy and successes.
And together we plant the seeds that create a love of lifelong learning that will grow within our children, always.
Claire Westcott, Headteacher, Meridian Community Primary School & Nursery
Meridian Community Primary is larger than the average-sized primary school where there is an above-average number of pupils eligible for free school meals and SEN support.
The school’s vision:
At Meridian Community Primary School, our vision is to provide a safe, supportive, caring, and stimulating learning environment where our children achieve their full potential in all areas of development, fostering a love and enjoyment of learning which will equip them for every future challenge.
Dympna Lennon, Headteacher, St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School
St John Fisher Catholic is a secondary school where there is an above-average number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals, who speak English as an additional language, or who have SEN support.
The school’s vision:
Nothing in this universe moves faster than light. It goes in straight lines, moving unstoppably into the future, dazzling and bright.
SJF students are rays of light – they have limitless possibilities in front of them and represent infinite intensities of untapped potential. They all have different origins, and sometimes their light has come through dark places to reach us.
As a school, we want to be the prism refracting their light. This work is led by our enthusiastic staff, the lenses focusing our students’ potential. Our staff have an overriding belief that all students’ talents can shine with support, and they give their very best to our students.
Collectively, we are a galaxy of stars, each one’s light amplifying the others. The light of our students will not only provide illumination for themselves; it will brighten our community for the benefit of others.
Students will change on their journey through our school, using their unique talents to refract out into a million different colours, representing a million different possibilities, moving out of the shining prism of our school, into the possibilities of their own glittering futures.
Helen Nicholson, Headteacher, Stanton School
Stanton School is a junior school with an above-average number of pupils eligible for free school meals and who speak English as an additional language.
The school’s vision:
Building the foundation for success.
Joanna Savidge, Headteacher, Clockhouse Primary School in Havering
Clockhouse Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school where there is an above-average number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals or who have educational health plans.
The school’s vision:
We are not just a school, we are home!
We lay the foundations for each individual’s future and for dreams to be fulfilled – whatever they may be.
No two bricks are the same but are accepted for their uniqueness and are placed in their own special way to meet their needs.
The cement bonds us together as a family to keep us strong, stable, and safe.
We are all safe and happy under one roof; we are protected from the elements and prepared to weather every storm.
The key to success unlocks the door to future achievements unseen before.
The windows show us the reflections of our future self as ready, respectful, and responsible adults.
Collaboratively, together our home is decorated with challenge and the rooms are furnished with fun.
All around, a variety of trees grow naturally from the seed of success. With nurture and care anything is possible.
So we are not just a school, we are a home that provides a champion for all as well as timeless experiences and skills for a brighter future.
And that is why we are called Clockhouse.
Ring the bell, we’re always here!
Lucia Santi, Headteacher, The Grove School
The Grove School is a special school where there is an above-average number of pupils eligible for free school meals.
The school’s vision:
Our vision is founded on a desire to make a difference and change lives for the better.
Malcolm Mckinlay, Headteacher, Parkgate House School
Parkgate House School was founded in 1987 by its proprietor where the school consists of an early years section (Nursery and Reception classes), a pre-preparatory section for Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, and a preparatory section for Year 3 to Year 6 pupils.
The school’s vision:
Our mission is to give every one of our pupils the opportunity to maximise their talents and make the most of their potential by providing a broad and exciting curriculum, enriching activities, and a wealth of unrivalled experiences in a warm, safe, and happy environment. Our exceptional teaching and strong individual care and support have a positive influence on our pupils’ academic success and personal growth. When pupils leave Parkgate House, they do so as well-educated, confident, and responsible young people ready to make their mark on the world.
Maxine Low, Headteacher, Brooklands Farm Primary School
Brooklands Farm Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school where there is an above-average number of pupils who speak English as an additional language.
The school’s vision:
Our motivation was unique and was driven by the belief that –
Every child should come to their local school as this builds an inclusive community.
One platform from which to deliver quality education would make us more accountable as every child has a right to achieve.
We could share expertise and collaborate across a geographical area, making our teaching dynamic.
We could weave a curriculum that reflected the whole community as it grew, ensuring the community owned the successes of the school.
But our strongest passion was that if we built a community that knew each other, then its children would be protected and safer.
Nicole Essex, Headteacher, The Meads Primary School
The Meads Primary School is an average-sized primary school where there is an average number of pupils who have educational health plans.
The school’s vision:
Here, every child is valued and successful. How? We root them in kindness and compassion. We branch out to our community, gathering and embracing their views and beliefs, but more importantly, their dreams for their children. Because together, we stand tall and grow the fruits of our learning and our children’s future.
Richard Jenkins, Headteacher, The Meads Primary School
The Meads Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school where there is an above-average number of pupils eligible for free school meals and who speak English as an additional language.
The school’s vision:
Imagine a school where everyone’s kind;
A place where respect and acceptance you’ll find.
Where teachers work hard, go beyond and above,
Where children receive unconditional love.
Imagine a school where everyone’s valued,
And encouraged to choose a more positive attitude.
A school where everyone’s welcome is warm,
Where responsibility and resilience are taught as the norm.
Read the full vision here.
Ruth Boon, Headteacher, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Wansted, London
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school where there is an above-average number of pupils who speak English as an additional language.
The school’s vision:
From the moment your young star begins to shine in the sky of Our Lady of Lourdes, they are a part of something bigger. They are part of a galaxy of stars where, throughout every step of their journey, they have opportunities to be inspired, and to believe in themselves in all that they do. They are never alone. There is always someone there to protect, teach, nurture, and guide your precious star, through their unique orbit of growth.
From afar, you will see your little star shine amongst a community built on kindness and mutual respect. As you journey through a galaxy of learning, preparation is key, that they may illuminate wherever life may take them. Pride and warmth will radiate through your growing star, until they are at their brightest, independently shining their light on those who love and care for them.
Let your young star join our glowing constellation.
Sarah Naylor, Headteacher, Nether Hall School
Nether Hall School is a special school in the city of Leicester where there is an above-average number of pupils who speak English as an additional language or who have SEN support.
Our vision:
The Future is bright.
We nurture sparks that will ignite a passion to seek and learn more.
Sparks that grow into a beacon.
A beacon that draws in others, that ignites them, so that together we create light and energy, to individually shine brightly within, and as part of our community.
A place to shine.
Sharon Hillyard, Headteacher, Exhall Cedars Infant, Nursery & Preschool
Exhall Cedars Infant, Nursery & Preschool is larger than the average-sized infant school where there is an above-average number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals, who speak English as an additional language, or who have educational health plans.
The school’s vision:
This is our promise…
Let us show you what’s in our hearts.
Every child will flourish to achieve whatever they desire.
No river will be too deep.
No mountain will be too high.
We will be your guiding light at the beginning of your journey.
We will be your map and compass.
If the ground becomes uneven and you should stumble and fall, trust us to catch you in our comforting arms and guide you along that rocky path. Let us navigate you along the challenging roads ahead and together we will emerge from the shadows and into the warm light of the sun.
Like your guide rope we will keep you steady and safe, linking us together with your families and community. We will hold hands to grow in strength and resilience, to climb and reach the summit of your potential. Like the sunflower turning towards the sun we will blossom with brightness and glory.
Remember our promise and keep it in your heart as you continue on your journey. Be proud, you did it!
Vicki Lord, Headteacher, Irk Valley Community School
Irk Valley Community School is larger than the average-sized primary school where there is an above average number of pupils eligible for free school meals, who speak English as an additional language or have educational health plans.
The school’s vision:
Our Valley.
Proud to grow here together.
Read the full vision here.
Zoe Rollinson, Headteacher, Lanesfield Primary School
Lanesfield Primary School is larger than the average-sized primary school where there are an above-average number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals or who speak English as an additional language.