About

Early in my career, a group of aspiring teachers asked my why they should work in education. I said, "Because you get to work with the best people in the world."

After a very successful career in teaching and educational leadership, I set up Bespoke School and Leadership Development because I am committed to helping schools and leaders achieve their vision, regardless of their starting point. I have provided highly successful support, training and coaching for principals, senior and middle leaders, teachers, trustees and governors in settings ranging from academies serving areas of significant disadvantage to traditional independent schools. I listen carefully to their vision and needs and we co-design a package of support or coaching to help them reach their goals. As we work together on practical solutions, we reflect on the skills they are building for the future.

I still think I get to work with the best people in the world.

Trusted Expertise

I have been a highly successful Director of School Improvement and Headteacher. I have filled the roles of Head of School, Academic Deputy Head, Head of Sixth Form, Head of Personal Development Studies and more. In all these roles, I specialised in working collaboratively with leaders and teachers to make lasting improvements. You can find details of my experience below.

Now, in addition to my work with schools, trusts and leaders, I deliver courses for the National College and I speak at conferences nationwide on coaching, leadership development, curriculum, teaching, and the latest changes to government policy.

I hold a Level 7 Certificate in Executive and Senior Level Coaching from the Institute of Leadership and Management. Due to the impact of my work, I have been named a Senior Associate of the Association of Education Advisers.

Working with you

I invite you to visit the other pages of this website to see the support I give to schools and trusts. If you would like to discuss how I can help you, please use the Contact page or email me on jonathan@bespoke-development.com.

I look forward to speaking with you.

- Jonathan Ferstenberg

"Jonathan has been invaluable in the support he has offered my teaching team in raising standards. His work has gone far beyond surface-level guidance – through thoughtful, focused coaching, he has empowered colleagues to reflect deeply on their practice and make meaningful, sustainable improvements.

"The impact is evident not only in improved outcomes for students but also in the professional growth of the staff he has worked with. Jonathan brings clarity, insight and a genuine passion for teaching and learning – his contribution has made a real difference!"

- Victoria Gibson, Principal, Trinity Academy

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My Leadership Experience - Key Milestones

Director of School Improvement (Trust-wide),

Emmanuel Schools Foundation

2021-2024

Headteacher,

Wolsingham School

(2018-2021)

Director of School Improvement (Secondary),

Emmanuel Schools Foundation

(2015-2018)

In three years, we raised the Ofsted ‘Overall Effectiveness’ grading of three schools while preserving the ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ grades of the other three.

In just three years, I secured the school’s future from a starting point of unsustainable debt and Local Authority plans for its closure. I led our work to restore its reputation, increase enrolment by a third, balance the budget and join a high-performing MAT, while also overseeing its best A-level results since the new Level 3 Performance Measures began.

I took the King’s Academy Sixth Form in a challenging area of Middlesbrough from disappointing results to the top 4% in the country for Level 3 Value Added in just two terms as acting Vice Principal 16-19

I led an increase in Progress 8 of 0.34 points in one year from a very low base while fulfilling the role of Head of School at Trinity Academy in Doncaster.

Academic Deputy Head,

Yarm School

(2011-2014)

Assistant Deputy Head, Head of Personal Development Studies,

Royal Grammar School

(2006-2010)

I oversaw record high GCSE A*-A, A*-B and pass rates, and the highest ever A-level A*-B rate at the end of my third year in this selective independent school.

I developed peer-to-peer programmes for development and appraisal.

I led the creation and delivery of a new Personal Development Studies curriculum that ties together Philosophy, Religious Studies, PSHE and Citizenship