Former Executive Principal and National Leader of Education
Author: The Kindness Principle

As a former Executive Principal, Dave is now Director of Learning for the Wellspring Academy Trust with its 31 schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. As well as Executive Headship, Dave spent 10 years as a National Leader of Education and Teaching School Head and he is an Associate of Independent Thinking Ltd.

He is a values driven leader who champions inclusive practice and passionately leads Positive Regard – transforming education practice across England. Dave works nationally supporting schools with behaviour strategies, drawing on a wealth of real-life experiences from some of the most challenging schools in the country. He provides a wealth of guidance to help develop effective practice and his recently published book, The Kindness Principle, offers advice, guidance and expertise on making relational practice work in schools.

At the heart of all of his work is the principle of ‘unconditional positive regard’, a concept pioneered by the seminal psychologist Carl Rogers. Dave and the team of committed professionals will never lose sight of the human being in front of them, nor lose hope in their ability to make better choices and change their lives for the better.

Dave is one of the founder members of the Headteachers’ Roundtable think tank, accomplished keynote speaker and is a contributor to a number of collaborative books including The Working Class & Square Pegs.

He has recently been a member of the DFE’s expert committee for the Timpson Review of exclusions and has given evidence at the Education Select Committee.