About Me
WELCOME:
A BIT ABOUT ME
About Me
For over 30 years, I worked in education — most recently as a headteacher. Like many in the profession, I poured myself into the role, driven by purpose, but often running on empty. Somewhere along the way, I stopped asking how I was doing.
Eventually, burnout arrived — not as a dramatic collapse, but as a slow, quiet unraveling. It forced me to pause. To reflect. And ultimately, to rebuild.
That experience changed me. Not just professionally, but personally. It taught me that well-being is not a luxury. It's the foundation. Without it, even the most passionate educators begin to fade.
Now, as a well-being and leadership coach, I work with teachers and school leaders who are doing their best in a system that rarely asks how they are. My goal isn’t to add more to your to-do list — but to create space for clarity, balance, and meaningful change.
What I Believe
That good leadership begins with self-awareness, not perfection.
That resilience isn’t about pushing through, but knowing when to rest.
That we do our best work when we feel seen, supported, and valued.
How I Can Support You
1:1 Coaching for headteachers, senior leaders, and teachers — to reconnect with purpose, build resilience, and create healthier ways of working.
Workshops and Training tailored to schools — helping staff teams engage in meaningful, practical conversations about well-being and leadership.
Flexible Delivery — sessions available in person or remotely, to fit around the realities of school life.
Whether you're navigating change, approaching burnout, or simply ready to lead in a more sustainable way, I’m here to help you find what works — for you.
BUILDING well-being
Well-being isn’t a destination; it’s an ongoing journey—one that I’m still learning and growing into every day.
Here are some things that helped me, and maybe they can help you too:
EMBRACING COURAGE
We’re often taught to keep going, to stay strong, to hold it all together — especially in leadership. But real strength, I’ve found, often begins in the moments we allow ourselves to be vulnerable.
For a long time, I didn’t talk about my burnout. It felt like failure, or weakness. But when I finally shared my experience, something unexpected happened: I felt less alone. Others came forward too — quietly, honestly — with their own stories of exhaustion, doubt, and recovery.
That simple act of honesty became a turning point. Not just for me, but for the way I saw leadership, well-being, and connection.
Because vulnerability isn’t the opposite of strength. It is strength — the kind that invites growth, trust, and change.
So I invite you to consider:
What might open up for you if you stopped pretending to be fine?
What if this — right now — could be the beginning of your own turning point?
Asking for Help
“Don’t let the fear of being judged stop you from asking for help when you need it.”
For a long time, I believed that needing help meant I wasn’t strong enough. That to struggle was to fail. But I’ve come to see it differently.
Asking for support isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s an act of courage. It says, I matter enough to be cared for.
And more often than not, when we do reach out, we find compassion waiting on the other side.
There is strength in knowing your limits. There is wisdom in not going it alone.
So pause and ask yourself:
Who could walk beside you today — if only you let them?
PRACTISING KINDNESS
“You’ve been criticising yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”
It’s remarkable, isn’t it? The ease with which we offer kindness to others — a gentle word, a second chance — yet deny ourselves the same grace.
For years, I measured my worth by what I achieved, constantly pushing, rarely pausing. But the real shift came when I began treating myself as I would a friend: with patience, understanding, and softness.
Self-compassion isn’t self-indulgence. It’s the foundation for growth that lasts. When we stop berating ourselves for being human, something powerful happens: we begin to heal, to breathe, and to lead from a place of wholeness.
So ask yourself:
What small kindness could you offer yourself today — not because you’ve earned it, but because you deserve it?
Making Time for Self-Care
“Laugh loudly, laugh often, and most importantly, laugh at yourself.”
When life becomes overwhelming — deadlines pressing, others depending on you — self-care is often the first thing to go. It can feel frivolous, even selfish, in the face of responsibility.
But I’ve come to see it differently. Self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s a quiet declaration: I matter, too.
Whether it’s a walk, a pause, a moment of laughter — especially at ourselves — these small acts reconnect us with joy, perspective, and presence.
So today, ask yourself:
What simple act of care could you offer your mind, your body, or your spirit — without apology?
Personal Story
Raised between the UK and Portugal, I grew up with a sense of the world as both wide and deeply human. My journey into education began in a small international school — a place where curiosity was nurtured and connection mattered. Those early days shaped not just my love of teaching, but my belief in the quiet power of learning to transform lives.
As a headteacher, I witnessed what’s possible when people feel seen, valued, and trusted. But I also came face to face with the cost of constantly giving without pause. Like so many others in education, I learned — sometimes the hard way — that looking after others must begin with learning to care for yourself.
Over time, I’ve come to understand that courage isn’t about never faltering. It’s about showing up, even when you feel uncertain. That vulnerability isn’t a flaw, but a doorway to connection. And that self-compassion isn’t soft — it’s vital.
These truths now shape my coaching practice. They sit quietly at the heart of everything I do.
SUCCESS STORIES
"Lynne was the most inspirational leader I have ever worked with. Her vision and drive for the school were infectious, making us all aspire to be the best we could be for the children and their families. She brought courage, authenticity, and warmth into every encounter." — Marta T, Safeguarding and School Home Support Lead.
"She truly believes that leadership is not about the leader, but about the people they serve. Her kindness, fairness, and enthusiasm inspire people to achieve their full potential. Lynne is a truly inspirational leader." — Arlene S, Wellbeing and Fundraising Lead.
WHEN I’M NOT COACHING, you’LL OFTEN find me:
Riding my bike. It’s my way of reconnecting with a sense of freedom — it takes me back to my childhood.
Taking photos. Capturing landscapes and tiny details in nature helps me stay present and grounded.
Doing a Crossword. I love the challenge of a good puzzle, especially when I can share it with a friend. Two heads really are better than one!
“The happiest people spend much of their time in a state of flow – the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.” — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
Training & Experience
Over 30 years in education, from teaching to headship.
Delivered coaching, training, and consultancy in schools across the UK.
Recipient of the National Pupil Premium Award for raising attainment for disadvantaged pupils.
Educational Mental Health Practitioner -PG Dip (pending)
Diploma in Emotional Health Coaching
Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring (Level 7)
Well-being Coach Accreditation
National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH)
Masters in IT in Education
B.Ed (Hons)
Let’s start the conversation.
If something in you is stirring — a quiet curiosity, a sense that things could feel different — that’s a good place to begin.
Whether you’re seeking coaching for yourself or your school, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s have a conversation — open, thoughtful, and without pressure — to explore how support might look for you.
Together, we can begin shaping a future that feels not just brighter, but more balanced, more human, and more you.