about me

My Journey

I have worked in education for 30 years,
15 of those as the head of an inner city,
multi-cultural school.

Ambler was a lovely school when I joined as a newly qualified teacher, but it wasn’t a ‘great’ school.

Over 15 years, I worked my way through the various layers of leadership, serving under 3 Headteachers until, eventually, I applied for the headship myself and got it!

It was one of the best jobs in the world, and I realised I could make a real difference on so many levels to so many people—the staff, parents and, of course, the children.

I was driven and rigorous, working flat out, hardly coming up for air, wanting the school to be the best it could be and give our children the best opportunities they could have. In 2017 Ofsted graded us Outstanding – it was a fantastic, proud moment that I will never forget.

Maintaining Excellence

But, of course, the work didn’t end there. Maintaining ‘excellence’ is challenging, and you are never really ‘there’. There is always more you can do and more you can improve, on so many levels. I continued to work hard on everything: the building, supporting the community and driving outcomes. 

The key thing I learnt was that finding great people and putting them in the right places wasn’t enough. I needed to support their growth and development as individuals at the same time as growing a team. The role also demanded that I continually grow and develop myself and my own leadership skills as we faced unprecedented challenges from the outside world, such as covid.

As a single parent of two fabulous young men, I also faced challenges on the domestic front! I fully appreciate the joys and struggles that being a working parent can bring. I would wake up each morning when my boys were little and would have to decide where to put my guilt. It wasn’t easy, but I did my absolute best at work and home – no one can ask any more of you than that.

About six years into my headship, my governors offered me a coach. I took up the offer and opened myself to the experience, although at the time, I was unclear precisely what coaching was or how it could help me.

As it turned out, it was invaluable, and dare I say, life-changing. It supported me in understanding myself, my leadership challenges and behaviours. It helped me prepare for difficult meetings and conversations in a safe and non-judgmental way, which meant I could look at the why, what, and how in my practice.

Coaching proved invaluable to me in a role that is not only pressured and demanding but often lonely. But that is not the only thing it gave me. Coaching also enabled me to help my community, giving me a new skill set to use to enable my staff, parents, and children in their next steps and decision-making. 

I learned how to ‘really’ listen, and to help my community make the decisions they needed to make to help themselves. 

Next Steps

I learnt that it doesn't matter how well you are doing there is always

a next step...

When the opportunity came to train as an Executive Coach, I grabbed it with both hands.

I have learnt a lot as a person, and developed a wealth of experience from the challenges and successes over the years in my headship, but coaching helped me refine my leadership skills.

It allowed me to become more self-aware, strategic, and effective, empowering myself and those around me. It allowed me to be clear of my values and strengths, to be supported and challenged, to develop clarity and a fresh perspective, to accurately examine my weak points and strengths to action plan my next steps…

I continue to be coached myself and to evolve my coaching and consultancy, adding skills and tools to my work through ongoing professional development and reflective practice. I try and find the positive in situations in my life, embrace change and look for solutions.

Juliet Benis

My achievements

2022
It’s All Hugs As ‘Sad’ Pupils Bid Farewell To Head
Amber Primary School headteacher Juliet Benis with pupils (back row from left) Eleanor, Aamilah, Alessandro and Alfie; front: Ellie and Felix. Ms Benis has announced she will be leaving the Finsbury Park school at the end of the academic year
2022
2022
Primary Head Says It’s Time For A New Role
Amber Primary School headteacher Juliet Benis with pupils (back row from left) Eleanor, Aamilah, Alessandro and Alfie; front: Ellie and Felix. Ms Benis has announced she will be leaving the Finsbury Park school at the end of the academic year
2022
2022
Actors Present Prizes At Islington Education Awards 2022
Christopher Eccleston a co-chair of this organisation Actors Christopher Eccleston, Sian Phillips and Sarah Gordy brought star power to the fourth Islington Education Awards.
2022
2021
Did You Miss The Islington Education Awards 2022?
2021
2021
Juliet Benis — Islington 4 Women
Juliet Benis is the headteacher of Ambler Primary School and Children’s Centre, although in November 2021, she announced that she will be moving on. She is well loved by parents, and has helped hundreds of young Islington children get a great start at life.
2021
2021
Our Governing Body | Duncombe Primary School
2021
2020
Cumberlege Review Reaction, Leaving School Rituals, Motherless Daughters
The Cumberlege Review and reaction from the women who campaigned to be heard. Motherless Daughters and navigating the big moments in life without Mum.
2020
2019
Woman's Hour, School Holidays
2019
2017
Ambler Primary School Gets ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted
Ambler Primary is officially one of Islington’s best schools – and its staff are already planning how to make it even better.
2017
2015
Future Zone
2015
2007
I became Head of Ambler Primary School
2007