Deborah Hurley

As an Independent Education and Children’s Services Consultant, I bring over 20 years’ experience across special educational needs and residential childcare, operating at operational, board and investor level.

I began my career in education in 2000, retraining as a teacher and completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) while teaching in a London prison. This was an experience that significantly shaped my approach and deepened my expertise in special educational needs.  My career progressed rapidly from Teacher to Head Teacher, Operations Director and finally Director of Children’s Services.

Since 2024, I have worked as an education and social care consultant to schools, trusts, charities and private equity firms, undertaking projects ranging from commercial due diligence to school improvement, curriculum design, and external supervision and mentoring for senior leaders.

I currently serve as a Non-Executive Director and Safeguarding Governor for an independent special school in West Sussex and as a Trustee for a medium sized multi-academy trust in the South West.

What I bring to senior leaders requiring supervision, is educational expertise combined with a commercial perspective that is not always common in the sector.  This enables providers and individuals to bridge the gap between feeling supported and “heard” with high-quality child-focussed provision and strategic growth.