A team with real school experience

With our recruitment process fast approaching the final stage, I write on behalf of the Governing Body to thank you for all your help, support, advice and encouragement over the last three months. An enormous amount has been achieved, culminating in an excellent appointment, and we do not underestimate for one minute the key role played by you in the whole process.

James clarified the expectations of ISI, made everyone aware of the excellent work around them and inspired them to recreate that elsewhere. One member of staff said: 'It was the best INSET day I have ever had.' Thoroughly recommended.

My recently reshuffled Management Team required full and frank feedback from the staff they were managing. James Barnes carried out this delicate task with thoroughness, good humour and a lightness of touch. It was a very positive experience for all and I am looking forward to working closely with a more closely knit senior team in the coming years.

I found James' approach, manner and professionalism first class in all our dealings. The quality of the INSET was outstanding and the amount of support he gave me was beyond what I would normally expect from an outside agent. James brings wide ranging experience from a variety of schools and he just gets it! All very reassuring for a young and inexperienced Head. I will be using James again in the future.

Having heard of his excellent reputation as a speaker, we asked James Barnes to host an INSET training session on lesson observation. Staff were hugely complimentary about the relevance of what he covered, as well as the engagement and enjoyment they got from his session. As a Head I was delighted – James' training was just what I was after to motivate and enthuse my staff.

James conducted my appraisal professionally, thoroughly and with sensitivity. It was certainly the most positive and productive appraisal process I have undergone. James understands Prep Schools as a breed but a great strength of this appraisal was his desire to get beneath the surface of this particular school and my own leadership style.

James Barnes was expertly placed to undertake my appraisal – as a former Head and with wide ranging consultancy expertise across the current independent sector, he was flexible, constructive and perceptive. The time invested in my appraisal really was time well spent – James' experience was reflected in the authenticity of his observations, and his guidance has been invaluable.

James Barnes has been working for the Learning Skills Trust since September 2012 as General Secretary. All this he has accomplished with tact, humour and kindness. He has a strong eye for details and is excellent at getting things done. I commend his work highly.

James has a wealth of experience upon which to draw, complemented by an understanding of what a modern prep school should be offering to its children and their parents. He conducted my Head's Appraisal, which was a highly positive experience for me and my staff and provided impetus for significant improvements to be made to the school's administration.

With an ISI Inspection impending, James Barnes and his team were invited to conduct a 'Mock Inspection'. This work was completed with the highest standards of professionalism and a great deal of sensitivity and empathy. Our teachers were left feeling empowered by the experience. I have no doubt that the success with which we came through the real ISI Inspection was due in no small part to the sense of clarity and focus James' feedback gave both SMT and the staff as a whole.

James has worked with St. Hugh's School to undertake an appraisal and to deliver appraisal training. James brings unquestionable professionalism in his interactions with parents, staff, governors and pupils. His knowledge and understanding of the sector together with his empathy of all matters within the prep school environment have ensured that his interactions with us have been tailored and met our individual needs.

I cannot thank Henry enough for what he has done for me in the last year. He has a deep understanding of history, philosophy and psychology, combining all three to set out a very well structured course, giving a blueprint of how to create the reality that you want. He is a great listener and teacher, who keeps you accountable to help achieve the success you want. Thanks to Henry I feel mentally, physically and spiritually stronger than ever before and could not recommend his coaching enough.

Sessions with Henry are an absolute goldmine. Whether you're looking for a structured, pragmatic self-help programme or just someone to chat with, Henry is your guy. It never feels like he is forcing anything on you; he will always lend his insight and make invaluable suggestions. I'd highly recommend coaching with Henry to anyone looking to better themselves or work through whatever challenges they may be battling with.