Matthew believes in belonging, and he knows that we belong when we are seen, heard and known. But the ontologies of belonging that often frame our schools must be matched by epistemologies that genuinely deepen and sustain those experiences.
And this is where his work comes in. Redefining data as stories, and assessment as listening to them, intentionally and intently, individually and together.
Formerly Principal of an award-winning international school in the Middle East, and with a long and varied career in school leadership both in the UK and internationally, Matthew now works closely with premium schools and school groups worldwide, helping them to use data wisely and well.
To measure what really matters. To let our stories help us sense-make. To seek answers to the "Who am I?" of each individual, and to the "Who are we?" of the culture and climate we inhabit.
Matthew works remotely and in person with educators, leaders, students, parents and boards on every continent. He does not provide the answers, or promise a particular impact - but, instead, helps to explore new questions, sometimes challenging and uncomfortable, in joyful embrace of whatever learning emerges.
Whilst avowedly curriculum- and platform-agnostic, Matthew has consulted for and partnered with numerous curriculum and assessment providers, and membership and accreditation organisations, through which work he continues to make and build connections worldwide.A member of the board of international schools in Europe and Africa, he is also an executive leadership coach with LSC Education, in which role he provides executive coaching for school leaders in the UK and internationally.
A member of the Global Equality Collective, a regular contributor to the Diverse Educators community (and to their 2023 book, ‘A Manifesto‘), and an advisory board member for Parents’ Alliance for Inclusion, Matthew also uses his or his children’s lived experience of physical disability, mental ill health, neurodivergence and gender identity to help schools read the stories of the students and staff on their margins.
Matthew's keynotes and workshops regularly feature in educational conferences worldwide, he writes frequently for numerous, international magazines and blogs, and he has been interviewed for numerous, educational podcasts. He is also the host of the Jack and Me podcast.
A wheelchair nomad for work, he lives on the Isle of Skye, in northwesternmost Scotland, with his wonderful wife, atypical dog and untidy guinea pigs.