Schools, Universities & Education

What I Wish My Teacher Knew.

As both a care-experienced adult who navigated repeated school transitions and a primary school teacher for eight years, Sam brings together lived experience and classroom practice to explore what school can feel like for children in care.

Through honest storytelling and practical reflection, this session helps schools better understand the emotional reality behind behaviour, the impact of instability on learning, and the small everyday moments that help children feel safe, valued and that they belong.

Explore the speaking and training options below.

Designed for:

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PGCE/ BA Ed Students

Schools

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Virtual Schools

Lesson One

Signature Keynote Speech

Sam takes audiences inside the emotional reality of growing up in care, from repeated placement moves and painful goodbyes to the behaviour, fear and mistrust those experiences can leave behind.

Through honest storytelling and practical reflection, he challenges adults to look beyond labels, understand what children may be trying to communicate and recognise the lasting impact of the signals they send every day. This is not simply a story about surviving care. It is a powerful reminder that one patient, curious and emotionally present adult can help change the direction of a child’s life.

Drawing of a boy with messy hair holding a heart-shaped object close to his chest. Above his head are multiple thought bubbles with various symbols: a rain cloud with rain, a broken heart, a house, and a line graph with peaks and valleys. The background is black, and the drawing is in white.

Black silhouette of a superhero with cape, standing with hands on hips.

- What repeated placement moves, instability and broken relationships can feel like from the child’s perspective
- Why behaviour is often communication, not simply defiance or disruption
- How fear, shame, hypervigilance and rejection can shape the way a child responds to adults
- The small signals that tell a child whether they belong or remain an outsider
- Why trust is built through consistency, curiosity and adults who continue to show up
- How language, labels and professional decisions can shape a child’s identity
- The role of schools, foster carers, social workers and other professionals in creating emotional safety
- Practical ways adults can respond with understanding, boundaries and connection
- The long-term impact of encouragement, belief and everyday moments
- The enormous power adults have to either enable or disable a child’s future
- Understand - A deeper understanding of the care-experienced child.
- Respond - More confidence in responding to behaviour and building trust.
- Remember - A renewed sense of purpose and the impact adults can have.
- Teachers
- TA’s
- Governors
- Parents
- Safeguarding leads
- Virtual Schools

Lesson Two

“What I Wish My Teacher Knew” Training.

Few people can speak from both sides of the classroom. As someone who grew up in care and later spent eight years as a primary school teacher, Sam combines lived experience with educational practice to help schools better understand the children they support.

A sad child sitting with arms wrapped around knees, surrounded by chaotic drawings including a cloud with rain, a planet, a fire, a broken earth, a heart with a plant, a ghost, and scribbles representing confusion or distress.

As both a care-experienced adult who experienced repeated school transitions and a primary school teacher for eight years, Sam brings together lived experience and classroom practice to explore what school can feel like for children in care.
Through honest storytelling and practical reflection, this training explores the emotional impact of trauma, instability and belonging, helping staff understand what behaviour may be communicating, the lasting influence of relationships and language, and the everyday opportunities schools have to help children feel safe, valued and understood.
This session leaves staff with a deeper understanding of the emotional reality of care-experienced children and greater confidence in responding with curiosity, consistency and compassion.
Rather than focusing solely on awareness, the training equips professionals with practical ways to build trust, strengthen relationships and create classrooms where children feel they genuinely belong.
This training is designed for teachers, teaching assistants, senior leaders, designated teachers, pastoral teams, safeguarding leads, inclusion teams, school governors, trainee teachers and anyone working alongside children and young people.
It is suitable for primary, secondary, specialist and alternative provision settings, as well as colleges, universities and wider education professionals.

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A title page with the heading 'School Assemblies' and a subtitle indicating it is for KS3, KS4, PS3, PS4, and PS5 students. It features icons of a heart, star, group of people, and mountain with a flag. The text includes phrases like 'Inspiring & Engaging', 'Relatable & Real', 'Hope & Possibility', and 'A Lasting Impact'. The message encourages working together to understand, connect, and improve outcomes for children with care.

Information about small group sessions for PS3, PS4, and PS5, focusing on building resilience and confidence, featuring a timeline of personal journey, mindset development, overcoming adversity, and impact of small actions on children's lives, with icons of signpost, brain, mountains, and heart.

Explore Sam’s Work

Investment

High impact training that creates real change for children in care.

Simply complete the enquiry form below and Sam will be in touch to discuss your event, audience and preferred format.
Once these are confirmed, a booking form will be sent to your email.
Sessions can be delivered as a 45-minute keynote, 60-minute training, 90-minute workshop, half-day programme. Every session can be adapted to suit your audience and event.
Yes.
Before every booking, Sam takes time to understand your audience, outcomes and any specific themes you'd like to explore, ensuring the session feels relevant rather than generic.
No.
While audiences often describe the sessions as inspiring, the focus is understanding rather than motivation.
The aim is to leave people thinking differently about children, behaviour and the role adults play in shaping outcomes.
The panel really liked this one. It answers an unspoken concern and sets expectations well.
Yes.
Sessions can be delivered both online and in person throughout the UK.
Yes. Sam travels across the UK and Ireland.
Once a date, venue and booking form have been completed / arranged.
Yes.
Depending on the format, sessions can include dedicated Q&A time, discussion and audience participation.
Some parts of the session explore difficult experiences.
However, audiences consistently describe the training as hopeful, practical and empowering rather than overwhelming.
The focus is always on what adults can do differently.

Every organisation is different. Final fees depend on audience size, tailoring, location and delivery requirements. A bespoke quotation will always be provided before booking.

Travel may be charged separately.

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A limited number of supported-rate bookings are available for small charities, community organisations and groups facing genuine funding constraints.

Please mention this when enquiring.

Whether you’re planning staff training, university guest speakers, a secondary school assembly or a small group session, tell me a little about your setting and what you hope the session will achieve.

I’ll personally review your enquiry and usually respond within two working days. We can then discuss your needs, the most suitable session and any tailoring required before I provide a clear quotation.