Martyn Skinner Consultancy

What 's on offer?

Consultancy

Interim Leadership

Consultancy

Whether you're looking for help with leadership coaching, curriculum development, strategic planning or teacher training, Martyn will work to your agenda and strive to provide the best possible support. And he is always happy to bring an objective - but very friendly - perspective if you're reviewing the quality of your provision.

Training

Interim Leadership

Consultancy

Martyn has provided training for hundreds of school leaders and teachers. He always invites participants to anonymously evaluate his training as inadequate, requires improvement, good or outstanding. He has rarely been evaluated as less than outstanding ... and never less than good!

Interim Leadership

Martyn may be available for interim leadership positions, perhaps to help your organisation through a challenging time or simply because you require an immediate solution to a headteacher or MAT-level vacancy. He's happy to discuss your needs and to see if he can join you on the journey!

First Aid

Interim Leadership

It often surprises people that Martyn also provides the full range of first aid qualifications. After years of feeling that visiting instructors - whilst knowledgeable - were often not ideally suited to a school context, he decided to qualify as an instructor and has been delivering first aid training over the last 8 years.

About Martyn

Experience

Martyn taught in every primary school year group (first class of Year 1 pupils pictured left!) before becoming a Year 6 specialist. He has held various posts of responsibility, including Behaviour Manager and SENCo. Martyn was deputy (effectively 'head of school') of a London primary school with 700 pupils, before a series of 3 primary headships (1 brand new and 2 in challenging circumstances), interspersed by a spell as a lead Ofsted inspector. He has worked extensively as a trainer and coach, with a particular focus on leadership development in a primary and secondary context. Martyn is also an accredited School Improvement Partner and a registered Section 48 church school inspector. More recently, he has been leading a 7-school MAT in Nottinghamshire as CEO, and working as a school improvement consultant for the DFE.

In June 2024, Martyn 'stepped over the line' from primary to secondary school leadership. He is currently enjoying spending 50% of his time as a fully operational consultant headteacher at a secondary school in Lincolnshire.

When Martyn opened Hampton Vale Primary School in Peterborough, inspectors commented, 'the establishment of this new school has been superbly led and managed by the headteacher'. They noted, 'the sense of togetherness is striking.' That commitment to building a sense of togetherness remains as a key theme in Martyn's approach to leadership.

Full CV available on request!

Approach

In all his activities, Martyn aims to be as kind and as helpful as possible. He views every interaction as an opportunity to give and to learn. Martyn wants to bring inspiration, but he is careful not to overwhelm or patronise ... and he certainly doesn't believe that he has a monopoly on wisdom! Martyn believes that fear closes down our capacity to learn, so he always prioritises putting adults and children at their ease: for example, promising at the start of a lesson or training session to never pick on anyone for an answer!

Cost

Believing in absolute transparency, Martyn charges the same rate for his services, regardless of the activities being undertaken: £550 for a full day and £350 for a half day or twilight training session. This cost includes all expenses - for example, travel - and any preparatory work required.

Testimonials

Gary Taylor, Chair of Governors

During his time at Monkston Primary School, Martyn made a significant impact and lasting legacy across the whole school community. Following a difficult period in the history of the school, Martyn led our school forward into a new era of success, high achievement and improved outcomes.

Martyn was a leader that led by example, with integrity, creativity, resilience, clear values and moral purpose. Martyn had a flexible leadership style, being ‘hands on’ when required but with the ability to delegate when necessary.

Martyn clearly had a passion for education and drew upon his vast experience and skills and those around him to deliver a stimulating environment that encouraged positive behaviour and enriched every pupil’s experience. Martyn installed values upon the whole school community to promote good relationships ensuring everyone felt valued and respected.

Throughout his time as headteacher, Martyn was always visible and approachable to children and parents. He was empathetic and enjoyed engaging with children, staff, parents and the wider community. He was able to inspire, enable and motivate not only the children at the school but also everyone he met.

Testimonials

Kate Watson, CEO, Aspire Multi-Academy Trust

Dr Peter Barnes, CEO, Kingsbridge Educational Trust

Kate Watson, CEO, Aspire Multi-Academy Trust

For 5 years, Martyn and I worked together, in a school judged Special Measures in a previous inspection, as part of a driven and dynamic school improvement team. We focussed on pupil and staff well-being, curriculum development, staff CPD and raising attainment for all pupils.

The school has since achieved its highest results ever, has a committed and strong leadership team and children who feel happy and safe. The curriculum reflects high standards and this has been supported by the curriculum deep dives undertaken by Martyn, where he was able to question, support, recommend and gently challenge subject leaders to be the best they could be.

Senior leaders were well supported in a variety of ways including a strong focus on wellbeing, preparing for Ofsted and a consistent ‘yes’ to any training needs required, whether this be first aid or analysing FFT data. Martyn is adaptable and flexible to your school needs; highly experienced and analytical in his approach to supporting school improvement at all levels.

Jo Michel, Headteacher, Roade Primary

Dr Peter Barnes, CEO, Kingsbridge Educational Trust

Kate Watson, CEO, Aspire Multi-Academy Trust

I worked with Martyn in a school where rapid change was required. Martyn is a transformational leader. His strength is his capability to inspire others. He is extremely proficient at motivating members of his team and is skilful at increasing the confidence of individuals and groups.

Martyn is an excellent communicator, and he ensures that his visions for rapid school improvement are understood by all in the school community. As a staffing team, we felt empowered and supported to make the changes needed in order for the school to be a success.

Martyn is able to improve teaching and learning with dramatic results. He is a highly-skilled teacher and has relished the opportunity to take on teaching commitments during all of this leadership roles. He is able to give constructive feedback to lessons and uses coaching to develop practice.

Martyn is excellent at improving whole-school behaviour, through ensuring consistency and being present and visible. He has led some of the most challenging schools and during his time, has empowered his staff to develop their behaviour systems and as a result, has seen dramatic improvement. The successful strategies he implemented during the time I worked with him are still used in my school today – 5 years after he left.

Martyn is an advocator of sustainable leadership. He recognises and nurtures talent whilst at the same time, ensures that leaders have the tools to lead effectively without the risk of burnout. He has led successful ‘Inspiring Leaders’ training on numerous occasions which focuses on the developing the next generation of leaders.

Dr Peter Barnes, CEO, Kingsbridge Educational Trust

Martyn is an outstanding educational leader and expert trainer. His advice is sound, practical and firmly focused on improving outcomes for children

Testimonials

Claire Bills, Headteacher, Gunthorpe C of E Primary School

Richard Tomlinson, Headteacher, East Bridgford St. Peter's C of E Primary Academy

I had the pleasure of working with Martyn as a Headteacher when he was CEO of Aspire trust. He always took the time to get to know my school and appreciate its unique needs. He supported me to make the right leadership decisions to move the school forward with strategic planning and undertaking subject reviews. He always left staff feeling positively about their role as subject leaders whilst preparing them for Ofsted including deep dives.

During both a SIAMS and Ofsted visit Martyn was very supportive and as a result both were positive experiences where we were graded as good.

Richard Tomlinson, Headteacher, East Bridgford St. Peter's C of E Primary Academy

Martyn and I worked together as CEO and Head Teacher for 5 years. The 'alongside leadership', advice, mentorship and support he gave me were invaluable to me as a Head Teacher.

Martyn offers clear, constructive, supportive, and future-looking advice in deep dives and senior leadership guidance. He swiftly builds relationship with genuine care for what you want to achieve. He will make a difference for you and your organisation.

Mel Stevens, Headteacher, Archbishop Cranmer C of E Academy

Richard Tomlinson, Headteacher, East Bridgford St. Peter's C of E Primary Academy

Mel Stevens, Headteacher, Archbishop Cranmer C of E Academy

Martyn’s vast knowledge in educational leadership and passion for the teaching and learning of children. along with his deep values, means he has been the person I was sure to receive sound advice from on any aspect of Education during the 5 years I worked with him.

Martyn’s work on QA was invaluable: he observed our current practice and worked with the whole staff team to provide training and advice which instilled confidence and impacted positively on teaching and learning.

Martyn is passionate, caring and knowledgeable and I can't recommend his consultancy and training services enough.

Testimonials

Victoria Lacy-Wills, Partnership Manager, PEP:mk

Jo Blatherwick, Chair of Trustees, Long Bennington CofE Academy

Martyn has provided several training sessions for us over the years. He has delivered to a range of audiences from NQTs to Deputy Headteachers.

Attendees have repeatedly commented on Martyn’s honest, relatable, open approach and delivery style.

Martyn’s passion for education has always stood out to me and I very much enjoy listening to him speak. He is not only passionate about education but more importantly, he is passionate about teachers doing their best for the pupils in their care.

I look forward to working with Martyn again in the future.

Jo Blatherwick, Chair of Trustees, Long Bennington CofE Academy

As Chair of Trustees, I have invited Martyn to deliver training to our board & also to be the independent adviser for our headteacher performance management.

Martyn has always been meticulously well prepared & generous with his time. His sessions have been productive & well received & have always demonstrated his expertise and up to date educational knowledge coupled with a professional yet approachable manner. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his services.

Angela Garner, Headteacher, Moorland Primary School

Jo Blatherwick, Chair of Trustees, Long Bennington CofE Academy

Angela Garner, Headteacher, Moorland Primary School

I can't thank you enough Martyn for the support and ideas you've given us in preparing for Ofsted. I attended a remote session with my DHT and we immediately connected with your open and warm personality which led to a face to face session within the week!

You are so easy to communicate with and realistic about the challenges that our school faces on a daily basis. You were empathetic, understanding and encouraging which resulted in us quickly trusting you and asking every question possible.

You supported and challenged our thinking and left us in a much stronger position to face our upcoming inspection.

We had a fantastic day and were totally uplifted. We were given renewed confidence in our leadership and further ideas to quickly impact our improvement journey. We look forward to working with you again and have already booked our subject leaders onto training with you.

Thankyou. I would highly recommend other leaders to contact you for support.

Testimonials

Sarah Jones, Headteacher, Lace Hill Academy

Martyn’s involvement was so helpful and empowering in our Ofsted preparation efforts. His guidance and encouragement have helped us navigate the phone call process, ensuring that we are as well-equipped as possible to have an effective phone call with Ofsted. He has provided us with confidence and has taken away the fear of the unknown. He has given us the sense of control we need to confidently celebrate out school’s strengths and transparently share our developments with a clear path to how we are going to continue to drive school improvement.

Thank you, Martyn, for taking away the fear that often accompanies these experiences. We greatly look forward to welcoming you back next month for more valuable CPD for staff.