Elevating Education, Inspiring Leaders
Going Further is a consultancy founded by Phil Hickey, a distinguished educational leader with over 20 years of experience in transforming schools and developing future leaders. Established to provide bespoke support and guidance, Going Further specialises in a range of services designed to elevate educational standards and leadership excellence.
01
ABOUT
ABOUT
SERVICES
TESTIMONIALS
CONTACT
"He encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and has a natural gift of getting everyone to self-reflect in order to strive to be the best you can be."
"Phil is highly knowledgeable and is able to bring everyone along on the journey through his rapport with all stakeholders and his approachable manner."
"Phil has provided me with exceptional guidance and coaching enabling me to become a successful leader. He has excellent interpersonal skills, with all stakeholders, ensuring everyone feels listened to and valued."
MEET phil hickey
Phil Hickey has been a Trust Partner with Learners’ Trust since its formation in 2016, supporting the Trust to grow to 18 schools. In that time, he has supported 5 schools that joined the Trust as requiring improvement, all of which are now OFSTED good schools. Previously Phil had been a successful Headteacher and Executive Headteacher with over 20 years of leadership experience in challenging schools.
In his first headship he took a school from serious weaknesses to being on the HMI list of most improved schools. Following successful headships in two schools, Phil formed a federation with another local school and became Executive Head of a large junior school as well as an average sized primary. The success of the federation led to another infant school joining and eventually to the formation of the Learners’ Trust MAT.
In his career he has been a Headteacher mentor, School Improvement Advisor, Advisor for Schools Causing Concern and an OFSTED Inspector. Phil is the author of ‘Going Further – One School’s Journey Through Curriculum Development’ and established the Going Further consultancy providing training and development for schools and local authorities. During this time Phil delivered training and bespoke support to over 500 schools nationally. He was also a curriculum consultant for Pearson Education, supporting them to develop curriculum materials for schools.
Phil is passionate about Leadership Development and has a strong record of growing future leaders. He has strong inter-personal skills and strives to find the strengths in everyone he works with. Phil is an Associate Member of the Association of Education Advisors and has a diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling enabling him to bring compassion and empathy to his work.
02
services
Our Services
Bespoke School Improvement Support
OFSTED preparation
Teaching and Learning audits
Curriculum audits
Headteacher Performance Management
Leadership supervision
Subject leader support
Coaching and mentoring
03
testimonials
I have worked with Phil for 20 years and throughout this time his values around education and ensuring all children receive the best have been at the forefront of everything we do. When I first started working with Phil I was a class teacher / SENCO progressing to Deputy and eventually Headteacher. Phil supported me throughout and was an excellent mentor and this shaped my own development as a Head Teacher. He encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and has a natural gift of getting everyone to self reflect in order to strive to be the best you can be.
Phil is an excellent leader who has a passion for teaching and learning and curriculum development. I have been lucky enough to be part of this journey with Phil. Upon joining my current school, we had a very limited curriculum and the school lacked leadership. Phil was able to support me in identifying where to start on such a big task and then broke it down into areas of priority. Phil is a team player and believes it is important that everyone is part of the journey and invested in making a difference. He supported not only myself but all staff in the school giving advice and support where needed. Phil became part of the team! Once the curriculum was developed Phil supported us in taking it to the next level and worked with the team to carry out impact reviews of each subject. All the hard work, support and advice was rewarded by a very positive OFSTED Inspection in March 2024 where we were awarded a Good after previously being Requiring Improvement.
Phil is highly knowledgeable and is able to bring everyone along on the journey through his rapport with all stakeholders and his approachable manner. It has been a privilege to work with Phil and learn so much from him.
04
contact
Testimonials
Yvette Cherry, Headteacher
Eckington Junior School
Rachel Taylor, Headteacher
High Greave Infant School
Nicola Fretwell-Evans, Headteacher, Hodthorpe Primary School
Emma Tooley – Headteacher
New Whittington Primary School
Phil has provided outstanding support over the last few years as my school improvement partner. His professional and friendly approach is always welcome but he will challenge when required to ensure the school continues to improve.
During weekly visits we identified key school priorities and areas for improvement which were then monitored through regular learning walks. Phil's knowledge and expertise provided strategic planning and preparation for OFSTED which has enabled the school to be in a positive position for its next inspection.
Phil has gone above and beyond during the toughest of times to ensure our school received the necessary support and improvements. As a head teacher this has been invaluable and I can't thank him enough.
04
contact
Testimonials
Yvette Cherry, Headteacher
Eckington Junior School
Rachel Taylor, Headteacher
High Greave Infant School
Nicola Fretwell-Evans, Headteacher, Hodthorpe Primary School
Emma Tooley – Headteacher
New Whittington Primary School
Phil has helped leaders, staff and children at Hodthorpe Primary School to achieve success. He has a commitment to improving standards by working with leaders and teachers and helping them in their own professional development.
He has an expert knowledge of curriculum and has been key in developing and improving our curriculum. There is no doubt that my own development and achievements as a leader are, for the large part, because of the expertise and advice that Phil has given me. I cannot thank him enough for the opportunities that we have shared.
04
contact
Testimonials
Yvette Cherry, Headteacher
Eckington Junior School
Rachel Taylor, Headteacher
High Greave Infant School
Nicola Fretwell-Evans, Headteacher, Hodthorpe Primary School
Emma Tooley – Headteacher
New Whittington Primary School
I have worked directly with Phil for five years, initially as a new Headteacher. He has provided me with exceptional guidance and coaching enabling me to become a successful leader.
Phil has excellent interpersonal skills, with all stakeholders, ensuring everyone feels listened to and valued. Phil’s curriculum expertise is vast, research based and proven in his past work as a Headteacher and Trust Partner.
Phil has an encyclopaedic knowledge of education that he can adapt to any school setting. I recommend Phil without reservation.
04
contact
Testimonials
Yvette Cherry, Headteacher
Eckington Junior School
Rachel Taylor, Headteacher
High Greave Infant School
Nicola Fretwell-Evans, Headteacher, Hodthorpe Primary School
Emma Tooley – Headteacher
New Whittington Primary School
Yvette Cherry, Headteacher
Eckington Junior School
Phil is an excellent leader who has a passion for teaching and learning and curriculum development. I have been lucky enough to be part of this journey with Phil. Upon joining my current school, we had a very limited curriculum and the school lacked leadership. Phil was able to support me in identifying where to start on such a big task and then broke it down into areas of priority. Phil is a team player and believes it is important that everyone is part of the journey and invested in making a difference. He supported not only myself but all staff in the school giving advice and support where needed. Phil became part of the team! Once the curriculum was developed Phil supported us in taking it to the next level and worked with the team to carry out impact reviews of each subject. All the hard work, support and advice was rewarded by a very positive OFSTED Inspection in March 2024 where we were awarded a Good after previously being Requiring Improvement.
Phil is highly knowledgeable and is able to bring everyone along on the journey through his rapport with all stakeholders and his approachable manner. It has been a privilege to work with Phil and learn so much from him.
Rachel Taylor, Headteacher
High Greave Infant School
Phil has provided outstanding support over the last few years as my school improvement partner. His professional and friendly approach is always welcome but he will challenge when required to ensure the school continues to improve.
During weekly visits we identified key school priorities and areas for improvement which were then monitored through regular learning walks. Phil's knowledge and expertise provided strategic planning and preparation for OFSTED which has enabled the school to be in a positive position for its next inspection.
Phil has gone above and beyond during the toughest of times to ensure our school received the necessary support and improvements. As a head teacher this has been invaluable and I can't thank him enough.
Nicola Fretwell-Evans, Headteacher, Hodthorpe Primary School
He has an expert knowledge of curriculum and has been key in developing and improving our curriculum. There is no doubt that my own development and achievements as a leader are, for the large part, because of the expertise and advice that Phil has given me. I cannot thank him enough for the opportunities that we have shared.
Emma Tooley – Headteacher
New Whittington Primary School
Phil has excellent interpersonal skills, with all stakeholders, ensuring everyone feels listened to and valued. Phil’s curriculum expertise is vast, research based and proven in his past work as a Headteacher and Trust Partner.
Phil has an encyclopaedic knowledge of education that he can adapt to any school setting. I recommend Phil without reservation.