I have had the privilege of working with Craig Batley for over 5 years at partnership level. He has successfully navigated our diverse group through the turbulence of considerable educational change. Craig’s calm, professional, solution-focused approach to leadership has been invaluable and a key driver for our continued success as a team.
Jean Moyser
Ex-Headteacher
Flanshaw J and I School
I worked with Craig Batley (LLE and headteacher) on the Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants programme led by The Outwood Institute of Education, on behalf of the Education Endowment Fund. We had been tasked with designing and delivering a programme to take place over a period of one year, to begin to embed the Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants guidance which was published in Spring 2015. We worked collaboratively with one other LLE and headteacher and successfully delivered a very effective programme, which supported schools in bringing about significant improvement to their use of teaching assistants across school.
During the time I worked with Craig I found him to be a very knowledgeable and creative headteacher, who has much proven practice in school improvement and in the effective use of support staff. He was a very credible facilitator who had fantastic relationships with all schools involved. Craig clearly has a reputation with headteacher colleagues across Wakefield as an outstanding school leader. His work on this programme affirmed this further and his advice, experiences and guidance were well received.
Craig demonstrated many high quality skills for the delivery of outstanding Professional Development. The programme was attended by headteachers, SENCOs, teachers and teaching assistants and all were inspired by Craig’s approach. Craig was also fantastic to work with as a co- facilitator. He was always fully prepared and contributed significantly to planning and delivery. He has a confident facilitation style and engaged all participants in the materials. I recommend Craig without hesitation for school improvement and facilitation work.
Maureen Andrews
Headteacher and Local Leader of Education
Pyebank CE Primary School
After recently completing an ‘Aspiring Middle leaders’ course led by Craig Batley, I found him to be an inspiring, hard working yet friendly headteacher with a wealth of experience and knowledge that he shared with the cohort. Throughout the course, Craig worked in a leadership capacity, as well as a coach and supported my development by offering advice at intervals. He is a proven headteacher with a very supportive nature.
Andy Preston
Assistant Headteacher
North Featherstone J and I School
Craig led a course I have recently completed. I found it extremely useful and beneficial for my professional development; in fact, the most useful course I have ever attended during my time in education. The course, which was planned and delivered by Craig, covered the current (and ever-changing) aspects of leadership within schools. It provided me with the skills I needed to not just move forward, but to move forward confidently and successfully. I am continually drawing on the things I learned from the course in my position within school. The skills I have acquired are very transferable and useful in a wide range of positions within school: subject coordinator, middle leader and SENDCO to name a few.
Craig was down-to- earth and very approachable which made the course such an enjoyable one. His knowledge was fantastic, and being very experienced within the school setting, he had a range of experiences and situations he could share with the people taking part. I would highly recommend Craig for any future courses or consultancy. His experience provides him with the ability to advise and train others but his personable and approachable manner make you feel valued.
Amy Pitman
Assistant Headteacher
Leeds