About
My name is Jonathan Ferstenberg and I am the founder of Bespoke School and Leadership Development.
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I have over twenty-five years of highly successful and thoroughly enjoyable school improvement experience in a wide range of roles, including as a MAT Director of School Improvement and Headteacher. I have fulfilled the roles of Head of School, Academic Deputy Head, and Head of Sixth Form. I have been a Head of Personal Development Studies and a highly successful classroom teacher.
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I have provided forensic yet supportive reviews, training and coaching for leaders and teachers in the widest range of settings, from academies serving areas of significant disadvantage to traditional independent schools. ​​​​​​For example:
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As Director of School Improvement for Emmanuel Schools Foundation:
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In three years, we raised the Ofsted ‘Overall Effectiveness’ grading of three schools while preserving the ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ grades of the other three.
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I took the King’s Academy Sixth Form, in a highly disadvantaged area of Middlesbrough, from disappointing results to the top 4% in the country for Level 3 Value Added in just two terms.
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At Trinity Academy, in a highly disadvantaged part of Doncaster, I led an increase in Progress 8 of 0.34 points from a very low base in just one year.
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As Headteacher of Wolsingham School: I secured the school’s future from a starting point of unsustainable debt and Local Authority plans for its closure. I led on the successful work to restore its reputation, increase enrolment by a third, balance the budget and join a high-performing MAT.
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As Director of Studies at Yarm School: 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.
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​​Due to the impact of my work, I have been named an accredited Associate of the Association of Education Advisers. I also speak nationwide via the National College, the Schools and Academies Show, the Schools Northeast Curriculum Conference, the National Education Show and other conferences on curriculum, teaching, PSHE and the latest changes to government policy.
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You would work directly with me on any project; for larger projects, I can also ask a trusted associate to join us.
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If you would like to discuss how I can help you, please use the Contact page or email me on jonathan@bespoke-development.com.
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I look forward to speaking with you.