Dave Whitaker is the Chief Education Officer for Wellspring Academy Trust and leads their national behaviour and outreach team, Positive Regard, providing relational behaviour support across the country. A former Executive Principal of SEMH Special and Alternative Provision academies, Dave is profoundly experienced and often called upon to share his expertise in national forums. An active campaigner for educational change, Dave is a member of the DFE’s Timpson Exclusions Review Reference Group, founding member of the Headteacher’s Roundtable think tank and trustee of The Difference charity.
Author of best-seller, ‘The Kindness Principle’, Dave offers a blend of advice, guidance, and expertise, enriched with anecdotes, to illustrate how relational practice can be effectively implemented in schools. His work emphasises the importance of kindness and understanding in fostering positive educational environments.
Dave Whitaker is an Independent Thinking Associate.