Delivering first-class education insights, consultancy
and advice
to leaders in education and Local Authorities in South East England
Ofsted
2010-2022
HMI and Senior HMI ⋅ Inspection of all school types ⋅ Regional lead for safeguarding ⋅ SEND/ASEND
Local Authority
2007-2010
Local Area Children's Services ⋅ Partnership development ⋅ Leadership / Local education officer
School
leadership
2002-2007
Headteacher ⋅ Interim headteacher to schools in crisis ⋅ SENCo
Hilary Macdonald
A bit about me ...
I am a qualified teacher with successful leadership and headship experience of schools facing challenge–contextual and inspection.
I have worked in local authority children’s services and as an education officer, including overseeing PRU, AP and children’s centres' provision.
I have extensive inspection and quality assurance experience as an HMI/SHMI across all school types, ITE and ASEND, with a further specialism in safeguarding.
Consultancy Services
Supporting local authority and school leaders to raise standards, improve outcomes and change lives for the better.
I deliver a broad range of supportive education consultancy and training services to leaders, governors, trustees, proprietors and local authorities, carefully tailored to meet your specific needs.
With years of experience as a Senior HMI, I bring expertise in accurately evaluating leadership, quality of education and safeguarding, including Area SEND provision.
Choose a subject below for more details.
Trusted by educators to deliver results
“... the inspiration you have given me”
I just wanted to write and say thank you, for the words you spoke on Friday, I feel that privilege and also the weight of responsibility.
Thank you for your guidance and support in my first year and a half as leader–those moments of complete clarity when I have spoken to you and the inspiration you have given me to aspire to be as knowledgeable and confident as you.
Education leader
December 2022
“Extremely professional Inspection”
We have received our final report and I have filled in the survey in which it was really great to feedback on the constructive experience afforded the school through the extremely professional Inspection.
Headteacher
November 2022
“I have renewed energy ...”
I wanted to write to thank you for everything about the way you handled your visit.
I thought you were exceptional in every respect and I found your time with us incredibly helpful (and quite cathartic!). You were rigorous, challenging and perceptive–but were also supportive, reflective and fair. I found our 1:1 conversation over lunchtime especially valuable.
XXXX has come a long way in the past few years, but still has a way to go. I am under no illusions about that. I know what needs to be done and–although I have been battling powerful contrary forces at times–I have renewed energy to make sure I do it.
Independent school headteacher
Summer 2021