NLP - Staff Training

In January 2009 David Perridge (Director of Learning – Upper School) qualified as an International NLP Trainer’s Association (INLPTA) accredited trainer. His use of NLP in his role within school, along with the training he provided to staff on INSET days and in “Twilight” sessions, led to a growing interest in the application of NLP within the school.

The evidence of improved practice prompted an enthusiasm amongst all levels of staff for greater levels of training, and at this point the decision was taken to ensure that staff were to be universally equipped to a high standard. A commitment was made to make NLP training one of the cornerstones of school development over the coming years, and as a consequence the past two years has seen over 60 staff qualified to NLP Diploma standard, with 16 staff and 1 parent trained to NLP Practitioner level. This has represented a significant investment of both time and money, an investment that has only been maintained because the impact has been seen to be both powerful and positive.

Our commitment is to ensure that all staff joining us have an induction that includes NLP, while we have as an outcome all staff in school achieving at least Diploma standard by the end of the 2012 – 2013 academic year. We are also running a Master Practitioner course for a small number of staff during this academic year, 2011 – 2012, so that we are able to continue to build on the progress made so far. We recognise and are proud of our achievements and yet also appreciate that there is more to do to both to gain the full benefits that NLP can offer our students, and to ensure that what we have already gained in terms of skills, knowledge, and a growing school ethos in which NLP is embedded, is secure for the long term.

Ultimately we want to be able to share our experience with others so that the benefits of applying NLP in schools can be enjoyed by everyone. Through such a process we too will benefit enormously as we learn from what others have to say about their experiences, so that together we can refine and develop what we do.

Once you’ve read some of the comments staff have made about their training and the impact it has already had, if you would like to register an interest in what we are doing, and in the possibility of future opportunities for training, please contact David Perridge at david.perridge@westheathschool.com

What staff have to say:

"I think it should be compulsory for all staff.  It makes you look not just outside the box, but in the box, and at the box.  If all of our staff were armed with these tools the power of these techniques would be phenomenal" - Jo Hawkins, Science Teacher

"I am totally convinced of the power of NLP and I'm looking forward to using it in school and in my personal life.  It has made me look at things in a different light and I feel a sense of personal growth and professional development" - Photini Bohacek - French Teacher

"Promoting a culture of NLP will improve communication, promote learning and positive relationships" - Helen Robinson, CIS Manager

"The impact is huge!" - Linda Hann, English Teacher

"Brilliant! I found it very interesting. At first I was a bit sceptical, but as the training progressed I could understand why it would help in my duties at school" - Jackie Underwood, Teaching assistant

"Of huge value to both pupils and staff. The stuff of life, transformational!" - Mark Crawshay-Williams, Teaching Assistant

"I thoroughly enjoyed the whole course and found myself using elements after only the first session" - Stacey miles, Senior Teaching Assistant

"I can honestly say I found some of the sessions mind blowing and very powerful" - Tony Dennis, Teaching Assistant

"I really enjoyed the course and it was useful to learn new strategies to support our students and to encourage a different way of thinking" - Helena Redmond, Speech & Language Therapist

"Life changing! I have looked forward to every Wednesday on the NLP course, it has already changed the way I deal with situations, and I am going to continue to develop my skills" - Beccy Bellamy - Teaching Assistant