Independent Education Consultant

I’m passionate about Education, particularly in the 0-7 phase and a founding member of the “Firm Foundations” grass-roots Early Years movement, bringing high-quality training and debate at minimal cost to educators across the country.

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About me…

I’m the Director of Assure Education with over 30 years’ experience in primary education, over 20 of them in senior leadership roles including primary headship.

I have worked as a School Improvement Advisor, Early Years consultant and moderator in several Local Authorities; supporting leaders and teachers to improve outcomes for pupils.

I’m passionate about Primary education, particularly Early Years, and have taught from Nursery to Y6.

In 2014 I trained as an Ofsted inspector, combining this role with a number of other roles in education.

I currently fulfil a range of different education improvement roles.

I work part-time as a School Improvement Advisor to several Local Authority schools.

Throughout my time in the Local Authority Advisory service, I have a proven track record of improving schools and helping to secure good and outstanding Ofsted outcomes in the schools in which I work, this role also involves performance management for Headteachers and supporting governing bodies with strategic leadership.

I also work with a range of MATS, Associations, Academy and LA schools throughout the UK providing training, school improvement advice, appraisal, coaching, mentoring, and practical advice and support.

Ruth Swailes smiling at the camera cropped close to head and shoulders

Local authorities I’ve worked with…

Barnsley

Birmingham

Blackpool

Bradford

Buckinghamshire

Calderdale

Cheshire East

Cheshire West and Chester

Coventry

Cumbria

Darlington

Derby

Derbyshire

Devon

Doncaster

Dorset

Durham

Ealing

Essex

Haringay

Herefordshire

Hertfordshire

Kent

Kirklees

Lancashire

Leeds

Leicester

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Milton Keynes

Norfolk

North East Lincolnshire

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

Oxfordshire

Reading

Slough

St Helens

States of Guernsey Government

Stoke on Trent

Sunderland

Surrey

Sutton

Torbay

Warwickshire

Wigan

Wirral

Wokingham

Ruth stood in from of a lecturn with a projection showing 'Getting it right from the start' presentation

My publications and other work…

I’m the lead author, curriculum consultant, and trainer on the Oxford University Press International Early Years curriculum. I have recently completed the OICEY curriculum for 2-3 year olds.

I present the Childhood Chatter show on Teacher Hug Radio – The soundtrack to your teaching career. I’ve written for The Early Years Blog | Famly, Early Years Educator | Early Years Educator where I serve on the editorial board, Ruth Swailes, Author at Yorkshire Bylines, amongst other publications, and was named Nursery World Trainer of the Year 2021 and a leading International “Edruptor” in 2022 by the ISC.

Go to Published

Ruth and Nick Sharratt holding a copy of 'Octopus Socktopus'

Bryn Llewellyn

Director of Tagtiv8 and Move and Learn UK

Ruth is the Go to Guru for all things EYFS. Her knowledge of this area of education is unparalleled. Ruth is insightful and inspirational. She offers the perfect blend of support and provocation.

Benjamin Doxdator

Teacher

Ruth speaks with power and a great depth of knowledge both about the policies that shape Early Years education and the realities of running a classroom that benefits all children.

Greg Bottrill

Consultant, Teacher, Author of ‘Can I go and play now’

People like Ruth are a rare find – passionate, dynamic and with a wealth of school leadership experience, Ruth is unafraid of posing challenge whilst at same time being supportive towards positive change. She has gift of providing effective guidance to improve Early Years practice and provision, and training sessions with Ruth always enable reflection and improvements in quality and outcomes for children.

Debra Kidd

Teacher, Trainer, Author of ‘Notes from the front line’, ‘Becoming Mobius’ and ‘Uncharted Territories’

Ruth is an authority on Early Years education and child development. But more than this, she’s an authority who can communicate her knowledge with humour, humanity and humility. She is able to bring together ideals and practical knowledge of systems to help teachers to understand how a healthy, challenging and stimulating early years environment can work. Her experience, as a teacher, leader and inspector means she understands, better than most, how practice can be embedded in effective ways while maintaining integrity and keeping the child at the centre of everything we do.

Ros Wilson

Education Consultant

In October 2018 I accompanied a colleague to London to attend a day’s conference led by Ruth Swailes on the Foundation Stage and Early Years. It was a most enjoyable and informative day with the very latest ‘cutting edge’ updates, advice and guidance. Ruth is a delightful speaker who exudes passion and empathy for the needs of children in their first years in a setting, and I would not hesitate to recommend seeking her expertise to update and inform for all involved in the Early Years.

Simon Kidwell

Head Teacher, Harford Manor Primary School, NAHT National Executive and Early Years Sector Council

Ruth has worked with a number of schools across Cheshire West and Chester over the last twelve months. Her training has helped me and many of my colleagues develop a greater understanding of outstanding early years practice, curriculum and child development, assessment and inspection. When supporting schools, Ruth skilfully draws upon her experience as a Teacher, Headteacher, School Improvement Advisor, Early Years Consultant and OFSTED Inspector. She has a deep understanding of best practice in early years education based on evidence , and not the latest education fad or top down initiative.

Dr Christine Challen

BSc Hons(Genetics) PhD PGCE FHEA

I first heard Ruth speak at Brewed Wakefield. While this was a relatively informal setting Ruth was a true professional and had the audience immediately engaged. She has an avid knowledge of all things relating to EYS development, pedagogy and government policy and she is able to deliver this clearly to experts and people like myself who are relative novices in this field. She was able to answer all questions clearly and above and beyond showing she has done her research and is up to date with policy and changes arising. She was well received at Wakefield and I learnt a lot and enjoyed her presentation immensely. I would thoroughly recommend her for any EYS opportunities as she is able to confer her expertise in a clear professional way and is very approachable and always able to answer questions and alay any concerns or anxieties professionals might have.

Sandy Churchward

Teacher

Ruth speaks with passion and a clear knowledge of her subject. She adds personal anecdotes to support her presentation with a witty charm that makes her incredibly easy to listen to. The day long CPD I attended flew by and I left feeling positive and re-energised and determined to do her justice by sharing the knowledge and ideas with staff, parents and children. I would highly recommend any training that Ruth delivers.