A FORMER Ofsted inspector has started her own business to help teachers engage with their pupils and motivate them to achieve more.

Helen Walker uses the neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) technique in her Wylam-based consultancy Bloom and Grow.

Ms Walker, whose career also includes 27 years as a primary school teacher, a headteacher and school improvement adviser in Newcastle, said: “Many people have dreams and aspirations which are never fulfilled because life gets in the way.

“I teach school leaders techniques to develop aspiration, resilience and optimism, which are commonly used by the most successful people in our society, to help them overcome hurdles and become strong and resourceful.

“These are great techniques in any walk of life, but in the classroom, whether as a teacher or as a pupil they are invaluable, and can mean the difference between towering success and failure.

“Improving schools, tackling behaviour issues and engaging learners and families are at the top of Education Secretary Michael Gove’s agenda for schools.

“Our feedback to date suggests our programme really works. Bloom and Grow offers help that works for schools and school clusters and the principles we use are just as applicable in other workplaces too.”

Her ideas are currently being used at Walkergate Primary School in Newcastle to engage boys in year six, who have shown improvements in writing, motivation and their behaviour in class.

Ms Walker worked with the pupils through her not-for-profit company Change Chimps which can access grants to engage pupils and families to help raise standards in literacy and numeracy.

All profits raised by sales of Change Chimps materials go back into projects for children.