About Gerlinde Achenbach FCCT
Director GAEd  (she/her)

Gerlinde is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, recognised for her work in leadership and inclusion. She is an experienced, qualified teacher and former Headteacher of two schools in a federation of Ofsted-rated ‘outstanding’ primary schools in south London.

Under her leadership, the schools were recognised both locally and nationally for high quality practice and provision, gaining top awards for Inclusion (IQM), Cultural Diversity and Rights Respecting Schools (Unicef), and best practice awards with Educate & Celebrate and Artsmark. Gerlinde’s career in primary education spans more than 30 years.

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Gerlinde is a fully qualified OLEVI Professional Coach and part of the Diverse Educators Coaching Directory.  She has many years’ experience of coaching senior leaders as well as new and aspiring school leaders at all levels. Gerlinde supports leadership and governor teams to work more effectively together to achieve their shared goals. Whilst her particular expertise is in primary and early years, Gerlinde works with leaders in all settings.

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Recent experience includes:

• Consultant with 'Pride in EDI' since 2021 supporting more than 50 primary, secondary, 3-18 and special schools to achieve best practice in LGBTQ+ inclusion

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• Associate Coach with Destino Coaching for Headteachers

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• Associate Coach with Olevi International

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• Member of the Diverse Educators Network and the Diverse Educators Coaching Directory

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• Executive Coach to senior leaders in schools and trusts in Co. Durham and Leicestershire

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• Expert Advisor to  Teach First  on achieving gender equity in schools. Keynote speaker for Teach First conferences.

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•  Expert Advisor to the Chartered College of Teaching on supporting gender diverse children and young people (link to podcast)

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• Consultant and Associate Trainer with The Kite Trust

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• Speaker and trainer with the Suffolk DEI Network

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