Jonathan Newport is Global Director of Team Teach and leads the Learning and Development Team as Chief Learning Officer. He is a behaviour specialist with over 30 years’ experience working in a range of settings.
Jonathan started his career in mainstream primary schools, and it was here that he developed a passion for a puzzle-solving approach to behaviour. This journey led him to work across primary and secondary schools in the mainstream and independent sectors, including 17 years leading Barnardo’s largest residential special school. During this time, Jonathan created solutions within the curriculum design that promoted positive behaviour for learning, allowing children and young people to grow and thrive as individuals.
Within this school, Jonathan set up a bespoke primary provision to support complex needs, which was commended by Ofsted for its innovative approach and was adopted by other schools. Jonathan embedded Team Teach thinking and practices, which led to no physical interventions for over 3 years. Jonathan then became the Educational Lead for Barnardo’s.
In 2018, Jonathan started what he describes as his ‘dream job’ leading the Team Teach organisation. Driven by the desire to create transformational change for those who need it most, he has become a passionate advocate for putting more supports in place for those who are distressed. Crucially, Jonathan keeps individual and staff wellbeing and mental health at the forefront of training. He believes that, as we seek to reduce restraint, we must also develop our ability to reduce risk, in order to safeguard all. Jonathan has been keen to show how the holistic approach adopted for children and young people is also transferable to adult services, which has led him to work more widely within the health and social care sectors.
As well as consultancy, Jonathan has contributed to a wide range of publications and delivered keynote speeches around behaviour, culture, learning, wellbeing, mental health, curriculum design, engagement and inclusion. He has spoken at NAHT conferences, The Education Show, Academies Show, Autism and Learning Disabilities and Dementia conferences, as well as numerous other events. Jonathan is recognised internationally for his work in developing and supporting positive behaviour, ethos, and culture, which has led him to engage with ministers and government departments in the UK and worldwide.
At the heart of Jonathan’s work is a drive to change the dynamic for children, young people and adults who find themselves distressed and unable to regulate behaviour. This is achieved by supporting staff to better understand their needs, ultimately improving outcomes and wellbeing for all.
