Staff Training and CPD

Practical training that actually changes how your staff work, not just how they feel for an afternoon.

These sessions mix discussion, real scenarios, and space to actually think - not another passive PowerPoint presentation.

They cover boundaries, workload, stress and switching off, each one built around what your staff are genuinely dealing with, rather than delivered from the same script every time. Staff tend to remember these sessions well after the day itself, because they leave with something they can actually use on a Tuesday afternoon, not just a nice feeling that fades by the following week.

They work well for teaching and non-teaching staff alike. This training comes from my own lived experience - burning out as a teacher, and having since supervised school leaders for more than 600 hours, hearing firsthand what the job actually costs people.

I am also neurodivergent, and that can shape some of what goes into these sessions - though this isn't a specialist ND training offer specifically.

How sessions work

Sessions usually run 1–2 hours, and they fit into an INSET day, a twilight session, or a staff meeting, whichever suits your school. They can be delivered in person or online, with the same content either way. For online sessions, printable resources are sometimes sent ahead of time.

Most schools start with a single session. If it lands well, we can explore creating a termly or ongoing series after that — something that builds sustained impact over time, rather than a one-off wellbeing tick-box exercise.

What a session can cover

Session content is built entirely around what your staff need. A few recurring themes include:

- Boundaries at work — what they actually are, and a process for setting ones that stick

- The confidence to say no — for staff who find it the hardest word in the building

- Switching off properly — leaving the job at the school gate, not letting it follow you home through your inbox

- Understanding stress — the difference between stress that sharpens you and stress that wears you down

- Spotting the signs of burnout — recognising them early, in yourself and in colleagues, before they become a crisis

- Sustainable, not resilient — coping with more isn't the same as building something that lasts

- Starting well — for staff new to the profession, on keeping the job from quietly taking over everything else

- A workload that's realistic — practical tools, not just advice to prioritise better

If you have something specific in mind that isn't on this list, get in touch and we can talk it through.

What this means for your staff, and your school

‍ ‍Staff leave with concrete actions they can actually use, not one more thing added to an already-full to-do list. Sessions also build in proper space to reflect - time to think honestly about the challenges they're facing, rather than just being handed another checklist.

That kind of genuine support tends to ripple outward too, into staffroom culture and into the things every school leader already tracks closely: sickness absence and staff turnover. Training that genuinely supports your staff is a real, practical way to protect against both. And with staff wellbeing now built into Ofsted's own framework, this is exactly the kind of investment that pays off twice — for your staff, and for your school.

Cost

Online session (up to 2 hours) - £357

Half day (morning or afternoon) - £697

Full day - £1,158

*Timings include travel time. Travel and/or accommodation costs are charged separately, in addition to the above.*

Where this comes from

This kind of training has been delivered in schools across the UK, alongside talks at conferences and events including #WomenEd, the Festival of Education, the National Education Show in Wales, the Neurodiversity Network, Pedagoo Hampshire, the World Education Summit, the Association of Business Leaders in Education Conference, and NAHT Cymru.

Booking

Get in touch through the Contact Us page and a short call will follow, to talk through what your staff need. From there, a precis will be put together before anything's confirmed.

Looking for support for yourself, rather than your staff?‍ ‍

If you're a school leader after something for your own wellbeing and sustainability, Sustainable Leaders Membership or 1:1 Supervision might fit better.

  • "The opportunity to reflect and hear your thinking phrased back by Gemma is very powerful. The benefits of this can't be adequately expressed."

    Andrea William-Jones, Assistant Headteacher

  • Would very much recommend Gemma. She came to do some work at Bradon Forest with colleagues and helped them reset after the pandemic times. Her calm approach is recommended. Thank you for all your help Gemma.

    Helen Wilkinson, Deputy Headteacher at The Athelstan Trust

  • "Listening to Gemma speak about creating boundaries helped me to make myself a priority and start saying no to non priority actions"

    Teacher at Magna Learning Partnership

  • "Working with Gemma showed me that it is acceptable to tell yourself you have done a good job"

    Deb Wiltshire, Teacher of MFL/Head of Year 7 and Transition Leader

  • "Gemma reminded me that I am good at my job and in a strong position to progress. Do work with Gemma if you get the chance; you'll get lots from it."

    Debbie, Primary School middle leader

  • "It is not easy to dig inside yourself and open up - but the safe space to discuss issues and ideas is remarkably empowering and a real confidence boost."

    Secondary School Leader

  • Gemma managed to provide the right balance of support and coaching to help me arrive at the solutions I needed. Her approach is calm and patient, which I needed when navigating my decisions. I would highly recommend Gemma to anyone trying to tease out the answers."

    Aisha Thomas, Director at Representation Matters Ltd

  • "Gemma is very clearly non-judgemental - I felt quite at ease."

    Secondary School Teacher

  • "Working with Gemma has helped me to feel more confident, more energised, more fulfilled."

    Debbie, Primary School middle leader

  • "Working with Gemma helped me reflect on the reasons or excuses why I might let work overspill and to acknowledge the benefits of switching off or making time for other things."

    Head of Humanities