The education system is demanding,
ever-changing, and the challenges are real.

Joanna Gledhill - Founder & Director

With 30 years in education, Joanna Gledhill spent her career working in inner-city schools, supporting communities facing high levels of deprivation and challenge. She served as Headteacher of an inner London primary school for six years, leading rapid and sustained improvement — transforming the school from Requires Improvement to Outstanding within two years, and being recognised by Ofsted as an exceptional leader.

Passionate about the power of coaching to unlock potential, she founded Head First in 2018 with a clear mission: to help schools build cultures where staff feel supported, valued and able to thrive. Since then, she has developed a range of coaching programmes designed to support leaders and staff at every level.

She now works with schools and multi-academy trusts across the UK, supporting leaders to strengthen culture, develop people, and embed coaching as a driver for sustainable improvement.

Today, she leads a growing network of Head First Associates, all committed to strengthening leadership, empowering people, and creating schools where both staff and pupils can flourish.

Bob Benson

As Headteacher of an outstanding secondary school in the South East for 8 years, maintaining exceptionally high standards of education year-on-year, Bob often used effective coaching methods to help aspiring leaders in his own school and seeing the tangible impact on their development, wellbeing and career progression. His firm belief is that every leader, both current and aspiring should have a coach.

With almost 20 years’ experience in senior leadership positions in some of the highest performing schools in the South East and abroad, Bob is a certified AACT coach and an Associate with the Association for Coaching. He specialises in supporting and developing educational leaders at all levels, both personally and professionally and fully understands the requirements and pressures of leadership.

Bob currently also works as a School Improvement Partner and an ASCL Local Representative for South East England. Additionally, he chairs an In-Year Fair Access Panel in a disadvantaged coastal area and supports initial teacher trainees with the TES Institute. In his spare time Bob enjoys running, however his Couch to 5k took longer than anyone imagined!

Carole Hornsby

Carole has almost 30 years experience in education and was the former head of an Outstanding primary school, before becoming Education Director for Maritime Multi-Academy Trust, in London, where she supports a diverse range of schools, leading on school improvement.

Carole has a passion for coaching and thrives on supporting others. She is an accredited Olevi and BASICs coach, and also has a vast experience in mentoring and leading professional development.

Carole's other leadership qualifications include the NPQH and she has also led Challenge Partners and has an Ambition fellowship.

Meic Griffiths

Meic Griffiths is Executive Headteacher of The Imperium Federation and led both its primary and secondary schools to Outstanding. He is also Co-Director of LeAFE Training Ltd and has a strong track record of supporting schools, trusts and local authorities to secure rapid and sustained improvement.

Known nationally and internationally for his work in behaviour, mental health and leadership, Meic has contributed to The Department for Education guidance, including the 2026 update on Restrictive Practice, and works with organisations such as TES, The Key and LGFL. He is a sought-after speaker and mentor across the UK and internationally.

An accredited Executive Coach and member of the EMCC, Meic supports leaders to drive meaningful change, strengthen their teams and improve outcomes for their communities.

As a Head First Associate, he works with educators to develop coaching practice and build cultures where people and teams can thrive.