Understand, Navigate and Thrive in the School System
Clear, expert guidance to help you understand how schools really work, navigate key decisions and support your child to thrive
Created by a teacher, school leader and parent who has spent nearly twenty years working inside schools.
I know how this feels...
Choosing and navigating schools is far more complicated than you expected.
Advice online is contradictory, lacking in expertise and subjective.
The big moments - from choosing a school to supporting your child through transitions - feel incredibly high stakes.
Even parents like you feel like you are guessing, out-of-control and unsure.
You worry about:
• asking the wrong questions on school visits
• misunderstanding how schools really work
• making the 'wrong' choice
• not knowing how best to support their child once they start
But the real issue isn't you. It’s that the system itself is complicated.
And you are expected to navigate it with very little clear guidance...
Which is why I built the School Compass Framework.
The School Compass Framework
Navigating the school system isn’t about following someone else. There is no perfect route. There isn't one 'right' school. Every family, every child and every school community is different.
School Compass isn't a map or a sat nav. It is something much more empowering: a compass.
A set of ideas, tools and insights to help you understand the system, navigate key decisions and support your child with confidence.
Understand the system
Navigate the system
Your child THRIVES in the system
Every family’s school journey is different
You don’t have to navigate it alone
Where are you in the journey?
Choosing a Primary School
Primary School Applications Toolkit
Starting Primary School
Primary School Transition Programme
Choosing a Secondary School
Secondary School Applications Toolkit
Starting Secondary School
Secondary School Transition Programme
About
Hi, I'm Joe - since becoming a dad I have been on a mission to help parents navigate the school system with confidence.
I have been a teacher, school leader and education consultant for more than 15 years. I have won awards for my contribution to education, I am a published author and have given evidence at the Education Select Committee in the House of Commons.
I'm also a dad to two young boys.
Just like you, my partner (who's also a teacher) and I care deeply about our children's education.
However, as insiders, we know how to navigate, and thrive in the school system, without spending wasted hours searching for information or being swayed by the opinions of our friends.
I want to share these insights with you too. That is why I set up School Compass.
Testimonials from course participants
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. It was a complete eye-opener on the factors to take into consideration when choosing a school for your child. Joe is a great facilitator. His skills and experiences certainly shone through.
George, London
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We were introduced to Joe when he did a short session at our son’s primary school... we signed up to do some fuller virtual secondary school sessions with Joe and thought they were brilliant - gave us the tools to understand the differences and similarities between secondary schools and highlighted interesting educational research that we’d probably have missed. We just felt more confident doing the school tours and filling in our application after that. I’d definitely recommend!
Tracey, London
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I now feel like I am in a much better position to start looking at all of the information about schools - knowing what is relevant to me and the type of school I want for my child.
Begona, London
What people are saying about School Compass...
You want the best education experience for your child
But it is easy to feel out of control. I help by providing...
Objective, easy-to-understand expert information
The most up-to-date research on how to help your child thrive
Online courses and resources which fit around a busy schedule
Time saving tools and frameworks to help you focus your energy
Insider wisdom - built on more than 15 years experience
Friendly, non-judgemental support and a thoughtful parent community
The education landscape has changed significantly since your school days, with various school types, teaching approaches, and a revamped exam system. More options but also more uncertainty. Parents are grappling with immense pressure, and education is too vital to leave to chance or make decisions based on limited information.
I am so confident that you will finish the programme feeling empowered that I will give a FULL REFUND AND FREE 1:1 CONSULTATION if you are not 100% satisfied with the experience!
