Experiences
The Experience of Working in Boarding Deserves… Well, an Experience.
Welcome to the human side of development.
“Boarding world-building doesn’t come from a one-off training.
It’s shaped by how we feel, grow, and stay—day in, day out.”
Tracy
Because development shouldn’t feel like a tick-box. It should feel like something that actually fits the life you are living.
Working in boarding isn’t your average 9 to 5 – and your training, support, and development shouldn’t be either. It’s a world of late-night corridor conversations, spontaneous duty surprises, and moments of deep connection that sometimes get buried under timetables, inspections and ‘just getting through’.
What if professional development felt more like a moment of pause and purpose—less like a policy requirement and more like something made for humans?
Hey, I’m so glad you’re here – because we need to talk about something often left out of the staff room chats:
- What it really feels like to work in boarding.
- Not the glossy handbook version, but the real-life, slightly chaotic, laugh or you’ll cry, deep-down human side.
The “am I even doing this right?” experience of being promoted without support.
The “I’ve read the policy… now what?” feeling when you’re managing a tricky situation with a student or team member.
The leadership journey that came with no map, no compass—just good intentions and a phone.
The moment you want to do better for your team, need training… but don’t know where to start.
And let’s not forget the famous “training day” where everyone just nods and waits for (chocolate) biscuits.
We can do better. We must do better.
That’s where Exeat Together comes in
Here, experiences aren’t just about learning. They’re about co-creating, connecting, and upskilling in ways that recognise what it actually means to live and work in a boarding school.
They’re shaped by someone who’s been there, who gets the biscuits-for-dinner nights, the blurry personal/professional lines, and the need to have conversations that don’t feel like performance reviews in disguise.
This isn’t about training you to be someone else. It’s about giving you (and your team) the space to become more of who you already are – with confidence, clarity, and a bit of creativity thrown in.
Whether you’re looking to reset, rebuild, or just try something different… the next step starts here.
What I do
I design training and upskilling experiences that actually support real people in real boarding roles.
Through upskill moments, exeat experience days and bespoke moments I create spaces where staff can:
- Build skills and confidence
- Feel understood and valued
- Have a voice in shaping their working world
- Learn together in ways that actually make a difference
This isn’t box-ticking. It’s culture-building.
Why It Matters
Because your staff are your biggest asset—and your lived experience is your culture.
When we co-create learning experiences around the actual needs of your team, something powerful happens:
- Confidence grows.
- Communication improves.
- People feel seen, heard, and invested in.
And most importantly? They stay and feel like they belong.
Investing in the everyday experiences of staff is how you futureproof your boarding community—by serving, sharing and caring.
Why Me?
I’ve walked the late-night duty rounds. I’ve handled the house dramas, the emotional load, and the moment you find yourself leading a team… without the prep. I’ve learned through lived experience—and I now use that to support others. I am a qualified coach, MHFA trainer and hold CIPD level 5 in HR. Qualiied as a maths teacher, I am used to solving problems and finding solutions. But, I promise no maths questions here!
I’m not offering one size fit all workshops. I offer bespoke, human-first training with a twist of honesty, a dash of humour, and a whole lot of empathy.
Because we don’t need more policies. We need more people equipped to bring them to life.
Ready to choose your experience?
Upskill
Targeted, accredited training that supports your real day-to-day.
From MHFA courses to an online exeat hub just for you —these sessions are co-created to reflect the lived reality of working in boarding. No fluff. Just tools you’ll actually use.
Exeat Experience Days
Step away from the daily whirlwind for a creative, collaborative day that builds your confidence, reconnects your purpose.
Is it time to helps you see your boarding world differently? Think jigsaws, LEGO, lived experience stories, and practical reflection.
Consultancy
Let’s be honest—some boarding challenges don’t come with a policy manual.
That’s why I offer bespoke consultancy for people-related issues: culture, communication, wellbeing, team dynamics and the invisible stuff that shapes your boarding teams experience. Independent. Discreet. Made to fit your world.