The Happy at School Project
 

Martin Van Hecke, Headteacher, Whitefield Community Primary School​

Setting myself challenges. Working better under pressure. Putting my back up against the wall. These were all things I had associated with myself throughout my career. Always working harder and going further in order to prove a point. A point to who and for what?

I have worked hard to further my career and it became clear that this was becoming at the expense of my family. A father that was present physically, but absent emotionally. This has been my first headship and had not been without its challenges, perhaps cumulating with a Global pandemic and a national lockdown.

Like many of us this time enabled me to reflect on where I was going and who I wanted to be. Was this this the path I was destined to be on? Someone who bench marked his success on the ability to prove people wrong and to stretch himself as far as he could? To continually look for that next challenge, a problem to solve, a situation to address or a battle to win! To win at what cost?

I worked with Christina during the summer term at a time when the pressure of headship and working in a school had never been tougher. I had reached a tipping point. I could see the effect the job was having on my family, but equally did not feel I was getting the satisfaction from a job I loved. Between a rock and a hard place.

My sessions with Christina helped me to reflect on the why. To what it was that had led me to this point. I found Christina enormously easy to talk with from the start. We quickly developed an emotional connection that allowed me to reflect and unlock thoughts and feelings that had lay dormant for some years. In fact, in my case, from my time at high school. Reflecting on my past from a different perspective gave me an understanding and clarity on the present me, that I have not previously understood. I was able to understand that I had to this point used the cane, rather than the carrot on myself.

My work with Christina allowed me time, space and an opportunity to talk. The aim? To be reconnect with what was important. To put my family first. Not in a work related manner. But to put them first emotionally. Through the sessions with Christina we worked on focusing on key areas to ensure that I could reconnect and be more present.

This time with Christina has left me with new perspectives and the ability to be present. To consider different reflection points, particularly during times of conflict or disagreement.

The results? My family have benefited from a husband and father who can commit time emotionally and be in the present. And work? Well I gained a promotion and new job. The challenges remain, but the perspective has changed.

As has the man.

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Rachel Dardis, Headteacher

Throughout my 20 years in education and now as a head teacher I have had various coaching experiences, but none have had the positive impact that Christina had. Christina was incredibly knowledgeable and professional and put me at ease from her very first communication. She was friendly and supportive and clearly cares about helping people to be the best version of themselves and this was something that resonated with me and initially influenced my decision to participate in the coaching session. Our coaching session took place remotely over video call, however, this didn’t negatively impact on the outcome of the session at all and Christina’s coaching was in no way restricted. She has an excellent knowledge of the pressures that school’s face, so could genuinely empathise with my work load and some of the issues I was faced with at the time we had our session. I was surprised at how brilliantly she navigated my thinking to quickly establish areas of my life that I needed to consider in different ways. It was an emotional rollercoaster but incredibly empowering. Christina used a range of effective strategies to encourage me to make the most of our session and I can honestly say, that during the session, she quickly pinpointed some deep set thinking that clearly influences the kind of person I am and she gave me some excellent strategies to support me in making changes that would help me to live a happier and more full-filled life. I would certainly engage in further coaching sessions with Christina in the future and would highly recommend her service to others.

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Dr Victoria Carr, Headteacher

Christina and I had the most fabulous coaching sessions during which I felt I unlocked many of my own self-created barriers to further success.   As a prominent school leader and peripheral member of the British Army I wanted to unlock my potential in its entirety, and I knew that sometimes that involves unlocking the subconscious and working out what triggers us. As someone who has overcome much adversity through self-help, self-talk and self-reflection - I felt ready to go through some work with a trusted professional. Trust has been a huge issue for me my entire life and this was where Christina was different. I touted her immediately and her personal and professional qualities facilitated immediate positively transformational impact on me. I am ready and open to being better and doing better at all times and even after one session the answer to some of my minor barriers was much clearer, for which I was incredibly grateful. Christina is FAB.  I am fatigued by Zoom but her sessions flew by and I hardly noticed we were ‘zooming’ (no zoom face). Thank you Christina for holding up a mirror to me and helping me evolve! 

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Annette Williams, Executive Headteacher

I am one of the most resilient people I know and my glass is mostly half full... but, having taken a new role, I felt I had somewhat lost my way! Little did I know that I would find a guiding light in Christina. Our paths crossed on a conference and I have never looked back. Christina skillfully drew back layers, with careful questioning, probing understanding and then encouraged me to answer the questions that had been raised. This allowed me to reflect and find the right way forward. And that’s why I say ‘a guiding light’... Christina has skillfully led me from some dark times and allowed me to illuminate a clear way forward. I feel that I have a clear way forward and know that I am the power behind my own destination. I owe a debt of gratitude to Christina and would highly recommend her services.

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Kate Simon Headteacher at Grimsdell Mill Hill Pre-Preparatory School

I have worked with Christina over a period of 12 sessions and in that time she has supported me to carve out a new pathway in my brain and heart that I never thought was available to me. With a demanding and responsible job that can be stressful and three children, I have taught myself to permit myself joy again. So bogged down in my responsibilities I tended to assume that joy was a luxury reserved for others and I now find it in little pockets in small spaces within my busy day. By doing this I feed my ‘way of being’ and therefore am better placed to help others as my own oxygen mask is in place. Christina helps you to revisit and review the ‘story’ you tell yourself about your life and that self-reflection can be hard but is also heals and empowers.

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Rachel Mason, Primary School teacher

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to have coaching sessions with Christina through my school, having already attended her Happy at School training.  Christina is incredibly intuitive, a wonderful listener and radiates positivity, using her experience as a teacher and life coach to provide sessions tailored to my needs as an educator. She has equipped me with self-confidence, a change of perspective and invaluable strategies that have helped transform both my personal and professional life. This has been crucial throughout the lockdown period during times that as a teacher I have faced challenges beyond my training and experience, being able to do so with calm confidence and calm.

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Andy Williams, Headteacher, Lunt's Heath Primary School

I am a serving headteacher of 11+ years, I can honestly say Christina Mitchell is one of the most positive and inspirational teachers I have met during that time. She has an extensive background in applied educational psychology in schools with children as a practising teacher. She forms strong and purposeful relationships with staff and children immediately, able to speak and relate to both on their own terms. Not only has Christina made a significant impact in our whole school engagement with the principles of Growth Mindset, she happily puts her money where her mouth is, for example with her random acts of kindness when delivering a parents' information evening and forest schools' activity for a group of children. I can recommend Christina's work to you unreservedly - you will not be disappointed!

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Vicky Pierce, Headteacher, Fairfield  Primary School

Christina and I have worked together since 2012 in my previous school and now my current one . We continue to work with Christina and look forward to her working with us on each and every occasion.

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In 2012 and then again in 2015, Christina led teams , at a challenging time, to connect together, improve approaches and attitudes and take responsibility, opening up to be the positive change each of us wanted to see and be part of. Christina has been instrumental in the successful amalgamation of two school settings, she has worked wonders with children with barriers to their learning – helping them with useful strategies to change their approach to help them succeed. Christina does this through workshops, Forest School sessions and training for children, staff and families in how to be brilliant. Christina has been integral to the success of 2 schools through bumpy journeys, guiding us with passion and commitment, ensuring that we all strive to be the best that we can be.

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Christina introduced me to an enthused, positive outlook to life, with strategies to accomplish such a way of thinking - even during the most difficult times. Christina is utterly tremendous in all that she takes on - her impact on colleagues, children and families she works with is astounding. Christina has been instrumental in improving pupil’s attendance, attitude to school and learning, engagement in work and making immense progress in a matter of weeks.

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Christina isn’t just good – she is SUPER. Her ability to empathise, understand and connect to everyone in such an engaging and creative way is authentic and effective. Her impact is long lasting and enables staff to work together as a team to accomplish goals and aims with a genuine ‘CAN DO’ belief. The longevity of the training and introduction of strategies (practical and philosophical) has been sustained over long periods of time and Christina embeds this for continued impact.  Christina does all of this with clarity and confidence- making anything achievable.

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Wendy Mason, Headteacher, Childwall C of E  Primary School

When I first heard Christina speak about her school programme , I was instantly excited about the impact this programme could have in our school.  So many of the underlying concepts – taking personal responsibility, being positive, dreaming big – resonated so strongly with my own beliefs about children’s (and adults’) learning and, of course, the importance of ‘having a positive impact’ integrates intrinsically with our school vision and ethos of living through Christian values such as compassion, generosity and thankfulness.

Christina’s knowledge, warmth and infectious enthusiasm ensured that our staff were fully engaged in the INSET and left feeling empowered and enthused to use what they had learned to boost mental health and well-being throughout school.  Feedback from staff confirmed that, not only had they found the day thoroughly enjoyable and a positive way to start the academic year, everyone was excited about the potential impact on our children and the wider school community.  Practical ideas and key shared language meant that everybody felt enabled to get started right away and phrases such as “at least…” and “321, just do it….” could instantly be heard around school.

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Christina led two school assemblies – one for years 1-3 and one for the older children in which she explained the programme in an age-appropriate way for each group again.  Christina rightly requested that all staff were present in these assemblies, to show to the children that this was a whole school initiative which we are all embracing, and to give staff another opportunity to share and practise the now all-too familiar language, phrases and mantras which underpin the successful implementation of this shared way of thinking and behaving.

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Five weeks in, there is tangible evidence of  the programme throughout school – in the displays, artwork and affirmations visible in classrooms and corridors but also, more significantly in the behaviors and interactions between both adults and children.  Fifteen of our older children requested to become ’well-being ambassadors’ and, identifiable by their ‘pig of happiness’ badges, they take their role very seriously, looking out for any children who might need help to be ‘pigs of happiness’ themselves.  Random acts of kindness are very evident and, now that the staff have got over their initial desire to try to work out who their benefactor might be, everyone is content to share their good fortune and, from experience, I can state how lovely it is, both to give or to receive an act of kindness.

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Back in March, when I first met Christina, I knew she had something really special to share and could have an enormously positive impact on our school community’s self-belief and well-being; however, the impact so far has surpassed anything I might have imagined and I, the staff and our children are immensely looking forward to further opportunities to work and thrive with Christina in the future.

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Class Teacher, Childwall C of E  Primary School

I can't remember a training session that has had such a huge impact on me not just professionally but personally too.  When I implement the strategies in my classroom or on the yard, I can literally see the children grow taller.  For myself, I'm more self motivated, have more self belief and am forming more positive habits. What Christina says works, because it's so simple and not intimidating - it makes sense to 4 year olds and adults, without losing its impact.
 

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Pam, Teaching Assistant, Fairfield Primary School

I’ve found that, following your training;

. I look at life differently.

. I feel stronger as a person.

. It’s made me have more confidence in myself, my home life and my work life.

. I look in the mirror and tell myself ‘I’m a good person.’

. I’ve brought the tools home and use them as a positive with my family.

. It’s had a major impact at home.

. I’ve taught my friend the skills to use at home too.

. I use it in school with the children to great effect.

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Teacher Feedback at end of INSET day

The most excited and inspired I’ve ever felt after an INSET!! I know I’ll benefit personally and professionally.

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It’s rare to get so much from an Inset that you can take away and actually do! I am very grateful.

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Thank you! Never had training that has been so holistic for my personal life as well as professional life.

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