A family partnership

Consultancy for schools that want to thrive

We combine extensive experience in schools with modern coaching and mentoring, supporting independent schools and the people in them.

Every phase, Prep & Senior All staff & working internationally Mentoring, coaching & care
A family consultancy

A family partnership

We provide bespoke coaching and mentoring for independent schools, together with other key skills.

James Barnes

Decades of headship and senior leadership, and the founder of the Learning Skills Trust — one of the most experienced consultants on developing a skills-rich curriculum and mentoring heads.

More about James

Henry Barnes

Seven years in coaching and mentoring and seventeen teaching Philosophy in senior schools — creator of the Eudaimonic Gardener programme, helping staff and leaders find purpose, structure and wellbeing.

More about Henry

Joshua Barnes

Fifteen years in design — graphic design, websites and branding for schools and businesses, including the PSB and Learning Skills Trust sites, with a modern, AI-assisted approach.

More about Joshua
James, Henry and Joshua Barnes
JBHBJo

James, Henry & Joshua

Photo coming soon
What we do

Support for your school — and the people in it

From developing a skills-rich curriculum to mentoring heads and coaching staff, we offer practical, caring support for the whole school community.

A skills-rich curriculum

Advice, frameworks and staff training to build a skills curriculum from Reception to Year 13, drawing on years developing the Learning Skills Trust.

Mentoring for heads & staff

A confidential, experienced shoulder to lean on, understanding the issues heads and staff face and building strategies to meet them. Looking after people is what we do.

Coaching & wellbeing

One-to-one and group coaching for staff and leaders: resilience, purpose and wellbeing, drawn from Henry's Eudaimonic Gardener programme.

Trusted by leading independent schools across the UK and overseas

James Barnes was expertly placed to undertake my appraisal. Through several school visits and a thorough 360-degree review, he really took the time to understand the school community — his experience was reflected in the authenticity of his observations, and his guidance has been invaluable.

CH
Dr Crispin Hyde-Dunn
Headmaster, St Faith's School
Let's chat

Ready to talk about your school?

Whether it's developing your curriculum, mentoring your leadership or coaching your staff, we'd be glad to help. Tell us what you need and we'll take it from there.