MARIE GENTLES OBE

Founder & Director

Marie has a longstanding successful career in education and has significant experience in her field in both Alternative Provision and in the mainstream sector. Marie is a Behaviour Advisor for the Government and was previously a Headteacher of an Outstanding Primary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision. Marie’s work has sparked media interest and she has partaken in two 2 part BBC TV documentaries to document her work.

She has also written a book: Gentle Guidance: How to Understand, Inspire and Empower Your Kids.

Available for order on Amazon and most bookstores.

Marie has gone on to make her mark in changing the way we see and manage behaviour in our schools and homes. Marie was also the Borough lead in setting up a London Borough Nurture Group, the first of its kind nationally, which saw a 95% - 100% sustained reintegration success rate year on year for children and young people following the Nurture Group intervention.

Marie’s influence and partnerships with many schools, the Department for Education (DfE) and families has had immense success in transforming pupil’s behaviour and significantly reducing the rate of permanent exclusions.

In October 2020, Marie was recognised for her services to education and after being sited in the Queens Birthday Honours list, received an OBE.

Marie is a mother of two and comes from an extended family, inclusive of a number of adopted and fostered children.