Mike Brearley

'Just writing to say thank you for making a difference to our school and me personally. 12 people started the course but one team left it.'

This was the opening line in a message from a headteacher with whose school Mike had recently spent just one and a half days. It sums up just how powerful the work that Mike is doing with schools really is, work that draws on his years of experience in developing emotional intelligence in students, teachers, school leaders and parents. The success of this work has led Mike to develop a whole school emotional intelligence programme.

This is a programme in leadership and learning where the young person and their growth as a learner, not the teacher or the content of the curriculum, is placed at the centre of every learning experience throughout the school and where an understanding of the impact of social and emotional learning leads the learning culture of the school.

The programme has been successfully trialled and evaluated in primary and secondary schools, further education colleges, the independent sector and pupil referral units.

This programme has been independently researched by University College London and has shown a range of benefits including:

• Improved engagement
• Better relationships between staff and young people as well as amongst peers and colleagues
• Increased motivation, self-esteem, self-efficacy and confidence of learners
• A greater sense of being part of the learning community

In the classroom this leads to:

• Greater creativity
• Improved engagement in learning
• Better collaborative learning
• Reduced stress for staff and young people
• More fun & enjoyment in the classroom
• Perhaps (yet to be confirmed statistically) improved results

For more information on this programme please click here.

Over many years now Mike has been at the forefront of this work, developing and running workshops on emotional intelligence and developing this programme. Mike has also worked on the MBA and Doctoral programmes for the Institute of International Educational Leadership at the University of Lincoln. He has delivered keynote addresses at national conferences and worked with local authorities throughout the UK to help them develop an understanding and practical application of emotional intelligence in learning. 

Mike has worked nationally and internationally notably in South Africa, India and Botswana.

Recent workshops have involved: 

• Surrey primary and secondary schools
• South Oxfordshire independent girls school
• Independent learners - Sixth form induction programme for Prudhoe community school Newcastle
• The role and influence of the Teaching Assistant – Surrey
• A Surrey Academy
• Emotional engagement in learning programme in Northampton Pupil Referral Unit
• From good to great – working with Gifted and Talented in Oxfordshire
• Parents & community project in Milton Keynes
• 2010 trip to India working with local and international schools

Feedback from recent clients include comments such as:

• Mike promised a challenging yet fun day and delivered just that. Many staff said at the end how much they felt he had pushed them out of their comfort zones yet not to a point where they felt uncomfortable and threatened
• I really feel Mike gave staff much food for thought and a number of strategies they could use to create a more engaging and positive climate within the classroom
• The emphasis for the day was to enable staff to feel more comfortable 'letting go' with classes and really focusing on the learning that could take place with the right conditions - I feel Mike did a highly effective job in meeting this objective and I would have no hesitation in recommending him to any other schools
• We have just had a successful Ofsted inspection. The work that we have done with this programme had a huge impact. Staff were incredibly supportive of each other. Everyone accepted responsibility for their part in raising attainment in school. Because of that children are making progress
• Brilliant, really thought provoking
• Powerful and memorable
• Absolutely fabulous, brilliant speaker, interesting, funny and handsome to boot!
• F***ing fantastic!

So, why not book Mike for an Event with your staff, students, parents or governors (Mike delivers Events for early years, primary, secondary and further education).

People who benefited from Mike have also enjoyed Roy Leighton.

Books written by Mike Brearley:

• Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom: Creative Learning Strategies for 11 to 18 Year Olds
• Big Book of Independent Thinking (contributor) 

So, to get in touch with Mike about his programme or to explore his other Events on emotional intelligence, learning and leadership please call the Independent Thinking office on 0844 589 0490 or e-mail us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk

Mike's CRB number is 001248735714 issued 27th August 2009.

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