Welcome to ADRIAN LYONS CONSULTING
Expert insight. Practical improvement. Lasting impact.
Former HMI and highly experienced educational consultant, Adrian Lyons brings more than 40 years’ experience of teaching, inspection, teacher education and school improvement. He provides independent, rigorous and practical support to schools, trusts, governors and teacher-training providers, helping leaders evaluate provision accurately, identify priorities and secure sustainable improvement.
About Adrian Lyons FRSA PFEBEA MA BA Hons PGCE ALCM
Adrian Lyons is a highly experienced educational consultant, former HMI and school improvement specialist with more than 40 years’ experience across education. During 20 years as an inspector, including 16 years as one of His Majesty’s Inspectors, he inspected and supported schools, initial teacher education and local authorities, and held national leadership responsibilities for economics, business and enterprise education.
Since leaving Ofsted, Adrian has worked with schools, trusts, universities and teacher-training providers, providing rigorous, practical support for leadership, governance and sustainable improvement. His expertise encompasses inspection preparation, curriculum and quality of education, leadership and management, governance, personal development and teacher education.
A former teacher and teacher trainer, Adrian combines national-level expertise with a deep understanding of what works in classrooms. His approach is incisive, evidence-informed and developmental: identifying what matters most and helping leaders turn evaluation into effective action.
Services
School Improvement
As a School Improvement Partner, I know that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for school improvement.
That's why we take a personalized approach to create a tailored plan that meets the unique needs of your school. With 16 years of experience as an HMI, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to achieve school improvement. Trust us to help you achieve your goals.
Initial Teacher Education Support
If you're looking to improve your initial teacher education programme, you're in the right place. As an education consultant with years of experience, I specialize in supporting large providers to improve their trainees' experience. I know what it takes to prepare for Ofsted inspections and navigate regulatory requirements, and I'm here to help you create a programme that's effective, engaging, and meets your trainees' needs.
Public Speaking
Looking for an engaging and thought-provoking speaker to inspire your audience? Look no further than Adrian. With a wealth of experience in education consulting, Adrian has become a sought-after commentator in the education press; and with his presentations on accountability for schools, the importance of knowledge in enterprise, and initial teacher training in England, he draws on his extensive experience to challenge, inform, and inspire audiences.
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Some examples of recent work
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School Reviews
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Safeguarding Reviews
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SEF coaching
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School Improvement: on-going support through roles as SIP and external School Improvement Advisor
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Arranging conferences on topical issues such as EAL
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Subject leader coaching
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Governor training and coaching
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Initial Teacher Training Provider support and coaching
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CPD
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Subject training in economics, business, enterprise, careers and financial capability for experienced teachers and trainee teachers.
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Chairing and participating in conferences and webinars
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Writing on inspection and other educational issues
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Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Association of former and retired HMI in England and Wales
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Chair of the governing body of a primary school
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Editing 'Teaching Business & Economics'
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Running the Teacher Training pathway at international conferences
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Presenting at international conferences on the English approach to curriculum - its positive and negative impact.
My Story
Adrian stood down from being an HMI on September 27th 2021 after over 16 years in that role.
Adrian is working with a range of institutions including SCITTs, Universities, MATs and local authorities to support their provision and help to improve their impact on students and trainee teachers. He works with four MATs in East Anglia to support school improvement and curriculum reviews. He brings his insights and experience gained from over 16 years as an HMI - nearly 20 years all together as an inspector, and previously a trainer and course director for DfE training for performance management advisors and threshold assessors (remember them? ).
Adrian is also a trustee / director of his subject association the Economics, Business & Enterprise Association (EBEA) and the association's journal editor (Teaching Business & Economics). He is the UK representative on the board of the Association for European Economics Education (AEEE), a primary school governor (currently chair of governors) and he is the chair of trustees of the Association of Retired and Former HMI for England & Wales. He is a member of the FED (Foundation for Education Development) Advisory Council He is regularly commissioned to provide comment pieces in the education press.
Adrian was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, one of the most experienced HMI in Ofsted and until the recent reorganisation, Ofsted’s national lead for economics, business and enterprise. He regularly led the inspections of secondary schools, primary schools and initial teacher training providers. He led major national surveys such as ‘Getting Ready for Work’ in 2016 and in 2019 was the lead HMI for Ofsted’s research into initial teacher education (ITE) training programmes. His role for many years involved working with directors to find solutions to individual and organisational problems.
Our Testimonials
'You really helped to build up my confidence; you engineered great opportunities for me to shadow and learn – and were so kind all the time – even when I just wouldn’t stop talking!'
"Mentee"