Harding - Professional Learning for Schools

Why I Do This

After years of delivering and evaluating professional learning, I grew frustrated with approaches that felt unambitious, incoherent and disconnected from the reality of schools. Too often, professional learning amounts to a disparate collection of tools and models, aiming for participant satisfaction rather than meaningful professional growth.

I wanted to create something more thoughtful, more challenging, and more human.

I pursued this through an MBA focused on professional learning, the school as a learning organisation and building effective middle leadership teams. I considered this research base in the light of two decades’ practice in schools.

I left a wide-ranging senior leadership role, spanning professional learning, teacher development, SEND and EAL provision, so I could bring my experience directly to other schools.

I have served as Head of Learning, Head of Sixth Form, acting SENDCO, Director of English and House Co-ordinator. I hold a First Class degree in English Language and Literature from Oxford University, an MBA in Educational Leadership (Distinction) and NPQSL from UCL.

Curious what working together actually looks like? See the process.

Expertise

INSET keynote & CPD
Teacher support and instructional coaching
Leadership training
Performance coaching

The Approach

Tailored to your school
Grounded in research on effective adult learning
Intellectually rigorous and highly practical
Focused on measurable behavioural change
Designed to engage the whole person, not just the professional role

Testimonials

This was my first experience of coaching, and Luke's skill for working back to the root of an issue — mapping its full journey from start to finish — helped surface consistent themes I could focus on addressing. Having an honest, impartial space to talk through work issues has left me communicating more openly with stakeholders and far more visible about celebrating success.

Andy, Coaching Client

We chose Luke to support us in developing our culture of professional learning. He quickly secured buy-in from all staff due to his exceptional knowledge of professional learning, which resulted in strong outcomes. The lesson study programme was a great success, allowing collaborative professional learning linked to pupil outcomes. Through Luke's training, teaching assistants developed their confidence and were better able to support outcomes for individuals and small groups of pupils.

Matt, Headteacher

After analysing the school's T&L needs, Luke delivered keynote INSET on effective questioning and set up peer learning and monitoring processes. A year later, ISI noted that "through skilful questioning, teachers promote thoughtful discussion in lessons."

ISI Inspection Report

In the press