<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Good Gift Consulting Ltd]]></title><description><![CDATA[Good Gift Coaching]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:52:01 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Every Child Achieving and Thriving. Welcome? Yes. But Let's Be Honest About What It Will Take.]]></title><description><![CDATA[When the Government published Every Child Achieving and Thriving  in February, my first reaction wasn't excitement. It was something closer to recognition.   After 25 years leading SEN schools, most of what I read in that white paper isn't new. The emphasis on belonging. The understanding that inclusion is a culture, not a policy. The acknowledgement that children with SEND need more than a tick-box approach to support. These are things that good inclusive practitioners have known, and...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/every-child-achieving-and-thriving-welcome-yes-but-let-s-be-honest-about-what-it-will-take</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ab335395f8968663587b5e</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:16:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_0137a21ddbe34f1384329a620c34fa83~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[“Thanks, But No Thanks: What Rejection Can Still Teach Us”.]]></title><description><![CDATA[There’s a particular sting that comes with professional rejection. Not the big dramatic kind, but the slow, creeping kind. The polite email, the generic phrasing, or the worst of all… silence. Over recent months, I’ve had a few of those moments. Some courteous, some vague, and some so quiet I wondered if my messages had been sent by carrier pigeon. And judging by the number of posts from educators and leaders on LinkedIn recently, I’m far from alone. Rejection is something we rarely talk...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/thanks-but-no-thanks-what-rejection-can-still-teach-us</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691b0889a2bc92e0d90d9e83</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:45:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_5fc1a7bbfff34cb9889d4d026974d572~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Myth of the Strong-but-Silent Leader]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why those 3am thoughts don’t make you weak; they make you human We joke about them, but we all know they’re real. The 3am thoughts. The...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/the-myth-of-the-strong-but-silent-leader</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ac634a0a3db22d232c9e3f</guid><pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2025 05:00:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_b8882e8203c14408a2330fa4316146d2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_412,h_408,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Fine Illusion: How Hiding Your Humanity Hurts Your Leadership]]></title><description><![CDATA[Content Warning:  This blog contains a personal story involving significant medical pain and hospitalisation. We’ve all been there. The...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/the-fine-illusion-how-hiding-your-humanity-hurts-your-leadership</link><guid isPermaLink="false">689f0cee627ec51b7e7a48e4</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:01:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_d5dc72772d764562904f9d3dc6ef879a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_414,h_392,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Year That Wasn’t What You’d Planned — And Why That’s O.K.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Leadership doesn’t always go to plan — but that doesn’t mean you haven’t grown.  I remember the year I was convinced I’d finally crack...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/the-year-that-wasn-t-what-you-d-planned-and-why-that-s-o-k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">682b5bbfc3f0b1cb09e928ec</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2025 16:40:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_4fe534485b954f4c9a7a9fd8efcf1129~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_447,h_450,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Final Stretch: Leading with Purpose, Not Pressure.]]></title><description><![CDATA[As we enter the final third of the academic year, school leaders everywhere are shifting into high gear. Whether you work in mainstream...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/the-final-stretch-leading-with-purpose-not-pressure</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68017f974519164d34376c4c</guid><pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2025 22:38:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_fbf45f41ff734f94ac650819d841bb3b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_451,h_448,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Culture Shock: Why Leaders from Marginalised Backgrounds Face an Uphill Battle in Changing workplace Culture.]]></title><description><![CDATA[And how to make the process less lonely You’ve stepped into leadership—congratulations! But within days (maybe even hours), you’re hit...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/culture-shock-why-leaders-from-marginalised-backgrounds-face-an-uphill-battle-in-changing-workplace</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67d06263427ecc2a6cf62585</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:31:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_3efd046ad37c429cb78c570969535086~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_474,h_469,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Leadership Balancing Act: Supporting Staff Without Burning Out]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a leader, you’re expected to support your team, ensure high performance, and create a positive working environment. But how do you do...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/the-leadership-balancing-act-supporting-staff-without-burning-out</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a9ebd8b88d4744ac5ef632</guid><pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:05:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_ab069b91dbe54af7931430d6f9b375e9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Silos to Synergy: Creating a Collaborative Team Culture]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the biggest challenges for new leaders is shifting a team from working in isolation to truly collaborating. A lack of teamwork can...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/from-silos-to-synergy-creating-a-collaborative-team-culture</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a099388f4af8f9ed1c8df2</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:27:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_ce2f0eef49cb45d1b147b45f95903338~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Power of Feedback in Building Positive Relationships]]></title><description><![CDATA[Effective Feedback That Motivates Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a leader has, yet it’s also one of the most underutilised or...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/the-power-of-feedback-in-building-positive-relationships</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6794b9bbd0d2f00ad9d8a314</guid><pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:10:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_1af71cb4a0014fbc8d931e0a612457ed~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Building Trust and Rapport: The Foundation of Positive Staff Relationships]]></title><description><![CDATA[Picture this: a newly formed team, a blank slate of a school, and a vision to create something extraordinary. That was my reality during...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/building-trust-and-rapport-the-foundation-of-positive-staff-relationships</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6789008d58050b42cd597b0d</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jan 2025 11:20:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_ec82c8273d834e468eaded6b5539b8c5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_450,h_428,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[More Than a Punchline: Why Menopause Deserves Respect]]></title><description><![CDATA[Growing up, most of learned about puberty and menstruation in school. It was presented as a biological milestone—unavoidable, universal,...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/more-than-a-punchline-why-menopause-deserves-respect</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6784f725ed26391c369f9bba</guid><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 11:29:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_73edf1f72fcb40de9eaa2236ad364a9b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_452,h_315,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Staff Well-being: The Forgotten Festive Priority]]></title><description><![CDATA[Supporting Your Team To Avoid End-of-Term Burnout The irony never escaped me. While the rest of the UK was locked in the annual debate...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/staff-well-being-the-forgotten-festive-priority</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67520f4b075b76f70a82b2fc</guid><pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:15:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_d84acdf82a0743aba207bf4b15faf5a7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Belonging Beyond Tinsel"]]></title><description><![CDATA[Celebrating Diversity in Schools During the Festive Season. Christmas celebrations often dominate the end-of-term festivities, but this...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/belonging-beyond-tinsel</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6751be606146b4844ac341f0</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:51:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_26e25394e6e14fc6bac459b1da540c01~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Santa Isn’t Coming… And That’s Okay ]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Schools Can Make Gift-Related Activities Inclusive The festive season often brings a focus on gifts—what’s under the tree, what Santa...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/santa-isn-t-coming-and-that-s-okay</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6751b7f16146b4844ac32ac9</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:32:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_d72bcd729a0444a78159b61e0156b5fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Not-So-Jolly Holidays]]></title><description><![CDATA[How to Support Children Struggling During the Festive Season. For many children, the festive season isn’t full of joy and magic. The...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/not-so-jolly-holidays</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6751ac816146b4844ac30231</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2024 01:00:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_3ee9dc44a64d4cfd9af1901dfc198ba2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Speak Well, Lead Well: How Positive Communication Builds a Thriving School Culture]]></title><description><![CDATA[Creating connection, resilience, and inclusion—one conversation at a time. When I think back to my time as a head teacher, there is a...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/speak-well-lead-well-how-positive-communication-builds-a-thriving-school-culture</link><guid isPermaLink="false">674d7f9015c769c5f5671e5f</guid><pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:09:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_e9235f6da933441397261ca99a121216~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Talk Less, Lead More: Effective Communication Strategies for School Leaders]]></title><description><![CDATA[Managing stress, balancing needs, and fostering healthy team dynamics during the busiest time of the year As the end of term approaches,...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/talk-less-lead-more-effective-communication-strategies-for-school-leaders</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67447af6c07b51364174e408</guid><pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:35:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_1dc91766445440418b59e599f2bc714d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Lost Art of Talking: Rebuilding Communication Skills in Young People ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Practical ways to help students find their voices again—and why it matters more than ever In recent years, schools have faced a growing...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/the-lost-art-of-talking-rebuilding-communication-skills-in-young-people</link><guid isPermaLink="false">673b4e0cd8af454130629be7</guid><pubDate>Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:08:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_38ccc21cba3d4ddab61f4d7b5a81109b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[More Than Words: Why Communication Skills Matter in Schools]]></title><description><![CDATA[Incorporating school values into everyday conversations to build a supportive, inclusive school culture In the busy world of schools,...]]></description><link>https://www.goodgiftconsulting.com/post/more-than-words-why-communication-skills-matter-in-schools</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6731ec8ec336e5bf8cd03cce</guid><pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:53:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3bab79_09ffbc0da9864c3aadbd14d13acd6b99~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>mabrettell</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>