Laura SAUNDERS
Creative Learning
The sessions are always engaging, well-facilitated and stretch us, allowing us to reflect and begin to
make changes to our leadership styles in school.
- Facilitation participant, Ambition School Leadership
​
With Laura you get her heartfelt determination to do the best for her clients and her best is a brilliant combination of 'head and heart'. She excels in encouraging meaningful evaluation and change that leads to real improvements. Her facilitation enables individuals and teams to grow through the development of self-awareness and reflection. On top of all this she brings her love of life and verve to those she works with and gives people a sense of opportunity and possibility in what they can achieve.
- Marc Jaffrey OBE, Leadership Development
​
Laura consistently treats all clients with respect and courtesy, modelling the professional characteristics aligned with her values-driven approach. A high level of challenge underpins each of Laura’s client discussions, tailored to meet the needs of individuals. She immediately puts individuals at ease with her positive, engaging and friendly approach. She is skilled in quickly establishing rapport and in creating a supportive environment and facilitating individuals to have ownership of their learning. Laura demonstrates a genuine interest in all individuals she works with. As a result, they engage quickly with her and it is evident that they value the learning process. Detailed preparation is strongly evident in Laura’s practice which enables her to tailor the learning for individuals. Laura demonstrates active listening through the use of a range of strategies, and this is strongly evident in the high quality, personalised written feedback she provides as appropriate. She demonstrates a skilled coaching approach in all conversations, with the use of deep listening and questioning to move clients forward or to probe reflections or challenge perspectives. She uses questioning effectively and seeks to recognise individual strengths wherever possible to ensure that the conversations are positive and reflective experiences for clients, but also ones which explore insights into skills demonstrated and further developments needed.
- Organisational Client Quality Assurer
​
​
Laura is an absolute delight to work with. Not only does she have a striking ability to build relationships so easily and effectively as a facilitator, but combines that effortlessly with a razor-sharp eye for academic rigour and research. She is creative, focused, engaging and funny but above all else, she is wonderfully kind and she is REAL. Indeed, in a world where fakery is everywhere, these genuine traits are the very things that set Laura apart from the rest.
-David Chabeaux, Standing Ovation
​
In all of the educational work which I have done with Laura she has shown herself to be a consummate professional who works to the highest of standards. Laura's insights into how to develop and improve practice are grounded in evaluative study and informed by a deep theoretical knowledge. She has a talent for writing that is not only to be admired but is relevant, precise and always challengingly insightful. Laura is a colleague that would be an asset to any team.
- Jane Chambers, St. Mary's University, Twickenham
​
I worked with Laura in developing a music education bid. She has an excellent grasp of detail and astute judgement in building and presenting cogent business ideas. Her real commitment and enthusiasm make her a pleasure to work with. And the bid was successful too!
- Ian Dewar, Ex-Surrey County Council
​
Laura is a highly motivated and efficient leader with a razor-sharp mind and a great sense of humour. A great person to work with.
- Roy Dignum, Musical Director
​
Laura's research into the strategic leadership of music education breaks fresh ground, showing both how and what valuable knowledge can be gained through systematic enquiry into a contemporary problem. In this way Laura is able to move the practice of music education forward with an authority that is well grounded. Her research-informed insights ensure that she leads wisely in the quest for improved music educational practice.
- John Finney, Cambridge University
​
Laura is a pleasure to work with - she's enthusiastic, eager to learn and try new things, forward thinking and genuinely wants to make a difference.
- Ian Parkinson, BBC
Laura is one of the loveliest, most approachable, dynamic, creative and fun people to work with. I cannot recommend Laura highly enough.
- Laura Callaghan Grooms, Hand on Heart Arts
​
"Laura has an energy and determination that is truly unique and beautifully infectious. She effortlessly invigorates those around her with a combination of deep listening, intuition and a drive for positive resolutions. Her warmth and devotion is underpinned by her fierce intelligence, sector knowledge and ability to strategically manage multiple complex projects."
- Jim Pinchen, Surrey Arts, Surrey County Council