DLB LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATES - Key Persons
Andrew is a serving Head with ten experience in post in two schools. He has been an education professional for 25 years and has extensive first-hand knowledge of all matters relating to co-educational, non-selective education in Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4.
An English graduate, Andrew also has a teaching qualification in Music Education, a Masters Degree in Leadership and Management in Education and the National Professional Qualification for Headship.
For the past three years Andrew has worked closely with the National College for Teaching and Leadership, providing materials on Governance and Schools as Businesses and facilitating an online course for new and aspirant Heads in the Independent Sector. On this course, participants learn about the ethical and professional values needed to build their core vision for education, working with Governors and Bursars, and understanding the rigours of inspection. The focus of the training offered is reflective learning through online blogging and peer collaboration. Participants fill gaps in baseline knowledge and have the opportunity to test out the validity and viability of their educational vision in a walled environment. Outside the non-selective fee-paying independent sector, Andrew also offers leadership development of EBD schools.
As a coach, mentor and consultant, Andrew's focus is on change management, refining leadership vision and closing the gap between rhetoric and reality. Emphasis is given to facilitating a deep understanding of a holistic approach to schools management, both from the personal perspective in creating a sustainable work-life balance, and exploring the integrity of core values and vision from the perspective jointly of teachers and learners.
In change management, Andrew is experienced in the concept-testing and implementation of ICT to support learning, from the management issues that accompany the comprehensive use of a VLE to the development of MIS and online data-trackers to collate and organise ‘under-the-hood' information on pupil attainment and ability. The focus of Andrew's support in this area is on the management and whole school impact of the effective use of emerging technology.
As a Keynote speaker, Andrew's specialisms revolve around all of the above, but also pastoral care schemes that are focused on the experiential issues of learners and their social interactions. Andrew can also give talks and support to new Headteachers about working with or without a Bursar and the issues facing the Head who needs to build skills and confidence in the area of school finance.
Deborah Leek-Bailey OBE-the founder and Director of DBL Leadership Associates is renowned for her work on leadership development. A former Head teacher, Deborah took her Early years, Prep and Senior schools from satisfactory to "excellent in all areas of school life", as defined by the schools inspectorate. Deborah is convinced that identifying talent, empowering people, accountability, high aspirations and collective vision, were key to the schools success and these qualities are often the mainstay of many outstanding businesses.
DLB Leadership Associates was founded in 2012 by Deborah Leek-Bailey, then headteacher of Babington House School and an Associate of the National College of Teaching and Leadership. After extensive research Deborah identified areas of expertise that she considered would benefit most organisations, including schools. Over a period of time Deborah approached a small group of respected professionals whom she believed possessed these attributes and invited them to join her, on the assumption that in some instances working collectively the group's expertise would have a more significant impact. Find out more about each associate .
Mr Gorton has over twenty five years' experience as a senior leader in independent schools both within the United Kingdom and in The Middle East, most recently as Headmaster of Howe Green House School in Bishop's Stortford. A member of the Independent Schools Association's Executive Council and has sat on their General Purposes, Finance, Membership and Professional Development Committees. Graham also chairs ISA's Inspections Committee and has been the association's nominated board member at ISI. Graham has represented ISA on the Cross Association Leadership Committee and on ISC's Community Action Group. Also an independent school trustee. Graham is also a Reporting Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
"All of it was clear, well-structured and the speaker, Graham, was outstanding. Graham's practical advice and examples were excellent."
Jennifer Bowden's early career was in sales and marketing then she moved into HR after being promoted through various sales management roles. Jennifer has worked in both generalist and specialist roles with her last corporate role being Director of HR for Tiphook PLC after which, in 1992, she founded her own consultancy which she sold in 2005.
Jennifer is a qualified and skilled coach, consultant, facilitator and conflict coach as well as being a successful business woman and now runs bowden2, an HR Consultancy, and ILC Learning, a Learning and Development provider.
Her track record has been established in the:
• Public sector working with Monitor supporting NHS Boards wishing to achieve Trust status, Government Departments and Agencies
• Private sector working with Law firms, Accountants, Construction and Private Hospitals
• Not for Profit within International bodies, Health Care and Charities
The approach that Jennifer takes is to share her skills and expertise in working with individuals and organisations to foster the achievement of personal and business goals to ensure the sustainable growth and the on-going development of talent.
She particularly focuses on working to improve organisational capability through Leadership and Management by:
• Effective selection
• Robust communications
• Continuous personal and organisational development
• Change management
• Building confidence and self-belief amongst teams
• Creating an organisational strategy that is real and relevant
Jennifer is an avid networker, a past Chairman of the Kent Branch of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Weald Group and of the West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She was also Vice Chair of City Women's Network and of CIPD Kent Branch and has also held a number of posts as a School Governor and served on the Governing Body of Carshalton College as well as being a non-Executive Director.
Jennifer currently sits as a Lay Member of the Misconduct Panel for the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, is a Committee Member of the CIPD Kent Branch, West Kent Group, and is a Committee Member of the Heathfield Chamber of Commerce.
Job Titles:
- CEO of the Twins and Multiple Births Association
"I have had the pleasure of working with Professor Pat Preedy for seven years and her vast knowledge and holistic approach really enables children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to grow, develop and succeed.
"Her research skills have ensured that multiple birth families and professionals alike have a far better understanding of how siblings and their parents interact. In turn she has been at the forefront of improved understanding of how best to cater for twins, triplets and more's social, emotional and physical developmental needs.
"Her insights into the world of education, academia, publishing and wider appreciation of how businesses operate have been invaluable. She has a tremendously enthusiastic and engaging coaching style and is both an inspiration and a pleasure to work with."
Pat Preedy is GEMS Chief Academic Officer of Early Childhood Education/Little GEMS International, Early Childhood programme for babies and young children, based on extensive research into early years' development. Pat has had a long and distinguished career in education including being Executive Principal of a school catering for pupils from 3 months to 18 years including boarding, Head Teacher of a Beacon School, Chair of the Solihull Partnership of Schools and a reporting Inspector for ISI (Independent School Inspectorate).
Pat completed her Masters in Educational Management particularly investigating how schools can work in partnership with parents and a doctorate in Education. Qualified with the Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology, Pat has spearheaded several projects including developing leadership, performance management and change management, Neuro-Developmental Delay - the link between movement and learning and Accelerated Learning As Honorary Research Consultant for Tamba (Twins and Multiple Births Association) Pat has conducted extensive research into meeting the educational needs of multiple birth children. She was also part of the team that developed the performance indicators in primary schools value added baseline assessments (University of Durham CEM centre). Currently Pat is leading a global initiative with Cache (Council for Awards in Health and Education) to train early years practitioners in settings and a Masters programme with ISA (Independent Schools Association) and The University of Winchester. Pat is well-known as a keynote speaker on all of these areas as well as conducting practical workshops on all aspects of early childhood.