Paul Dix, Director

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Paul has been working with the most difficult behaviours in the most challenging urban schools and colleges for the last 35 years. As a teacher he worked in East London, Nuneaton and Birmingham. As a teacher trainer, he has worked all over the world. 

 

Paul has developed a strong reputation for delivering exceptional training with remarkable outcomes. His imprint is on thousands of schools in their behaviour policy and practice. Paul's book ‘When The Adults Change, Everything Changes’ has sold more than 200,000 copies. 

Ellie Dix, Director

 

Ellie taught in secondary schools in Birmingham and Wolverhampton before becoming the driving force behind Pivotal Education. She has extensive experience in managing large-scale relational change projects with Local Authorities and Trusts.  Ellie works on strategy, systems, and internal staff development. As a passionate advocate for the impact that games can have on family life, Ellie wrote the book, The Board Game Family: Reclaim your children from the screen (Crown House Publishing)

Tara Elie, Senior Associate 

 

Tara Elie is a psychologist, educator and coach with over 30 years of experience in education. Driven by justice, belonging and the power of schools, she supports the adults who support young people. With a Master’s in positive psychology, Tara helps educators build wellbeing and resilience. Drawing on her background in drama, she delivers dynamic, practical training, keynotes and coaching across diverse school contexts in the UK and internationally.

Louise Sampaio, Relationship Manager

 

Louise has worked in Education, a Secondary School SEN/Cullum Centre, Adult Social Care Sector, as well as having her own Childminding business during the early years of bringing up her three children. At When The Adults Change, Louise has a calm, positive approach when assisting both clients and the team.  Louise has a real passion for children and their wellbeing, and supporting families

Tracey Smith, Partnership Manager

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​Tracey has been a primary school teacher, a Head and Executive Headteacher of primary schools in Oxfordshire, a Teacher Trainer and a Values-based Education consultant. Tracey has always implemented a relational approach to behaviour and culture, rooted in values, inclusivity and restorative and trauma-informed approaches underpinned by the When the Adults Change philosophy. 

 

Sam Stocken, Consultant and Coach

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Sam has worked in primary and secondary education in various roles, including Headship in an Alternative Provision School. As an Educational Consultant, she focuses on behaviour safeguarding and wellbeing, working with schools, families, and children.

Her drive is to reduce suspensions and exclusions, whilst building positive relationships and raising awareness that all behaviour is communication.