Pete Dean

I have worked in Primary Education in Dorset and Norfolk for 25 years starting as a Teacher and have spent the last eight years as a Head in a large Primary School near Norwich. I’ve always been fascinated in human behaviour and I have increasingly specialised in changing the behaviour of the adults and the children at my school. The science of human behaviour change aligns perfectly with my own values and beliefs about what makes a great school and how to help develop young people who will go on to help change the world in a positive way.

I have a BA Honours in English Literature and Sports Science, and completed my PGCE in 2001 to become a qualified Primary Teacher. With a strong interest in supporting children’s emotional behaviour, I am a THRIVE trainer, and recently completed an NPQ in Culture and Behaviour within schools. I have also been STEP ON and STEP UP trained and support teams and individuals through coaching and mentoring to develop their skills around understanding and facilitating behavioural change in real life educational settings.

Human Behaviour Change for Life (HBCL) encompasses all aspects of the world as we know it. Helping and enabling humans to change for the better is a highly motivating challenge as it can and does result in so many improvements to the environment, animal welfare, education and much more. The science of change is fascinating, and we are all looking to change all the time. As an education specialist with a primary background I recognise that human behaviour change is vital for our children, so that they can play a crucial part in the future of our planet and all living things on it!

I am very passionate about education and how it needs to change in the future. With help from many sources I facilitated the building of an amazing play area at the school I worked at - Poringland Primary School - thanks to the award-winning company CAP.CO adventure play. I am passionate about active learning and developing through play. I have seen the impact of a positive learning environment and how this enables children to feel good at school and be in a better place to learn and develop their thinking. Schools need to change to adapt to what is happening around us and that change needs to start now.