Nadia Hewstone

Nadia Hewstone

Nadia Hewstone portrait

Coaching Bio

Nadia is founder of Destino Coaching. She grew up in North London and moved to East Anglia to take up Headship in 2015. She worked in London schools for 15 years before moving East. The school she moved here to lead, was recognised as being in the bottom 2% of schools for academic performance when and the challenge that faced her, was greater than I ever imagined. She realised quickly that the only way to lead in such circumstances was to be the best person she could be, so I embarked on a counselling training course and started her journey to becoming a coach. Coaching became a way of being in her school.

Through Destino Coaching, Nadia champions challenges and empowers headteachers to achieve their big dreams for their schools without compromising their health. Through coaching, Nadia supports heads to improve their leadership abilities as well as the challenges associated with managing organisational change. She is committed to helping headteachers to find their voice and point of influence.

Coaching Experience

Since leaving headship, Nadia has achieved ACC status as a coach through the International Coaching Federation and has worked with over 200 headteachers.

Career Experience

Nadia taught and led in London schools for over 20 years. Starting out as an MFL teacher, she moved into primary schools with the KS2 MFL framework. She has led SEND as Deputy of a PRU and inclusion lead across two primary schools She has supported a number of schools across the phases to implement coaching approaches, since working independently.

Coaching Qualifications

ICF ACC

Early into my first headship, I spotted Nadia’s work on social media and felt I would benefit from working with a coach. It has made the single biggest impact on my first 13 months in the role. Spending time with Nadia, helps me clear the fog and intensity that so often arises with the job; she enables me to realign my strategic thought processes and develops my leadership approach. She has also had a huge impact on the narrative I allow in my own head and how I manage my own personal wellbeing. I leave after an hour session feeling motivated, empowered and refocused. Each month, I look forward to the next session and I can’t thank her enough for the journey she has taken me on. I can’t wait for what is still to come!

Jen Alford, Headteacher

Working with Nadia has been such a pleasure. As a new deputy headteacher, Nadia has helped me to overcome many of the difficulties I faced in my transition into this senior leadership role. She has empowered me to believe in my abilities and reflect on my practice, whilst providing professional challenge. She has given me a wealth of tools which I will continue to develop on my leadership journey and given me the drive to challenge myself and others around me. Nadia has also connected me to other professionals, in a similar situation to myself, who continue to provide a great network of support. She is simply amazing.

Rachel Whitton, Deputy Headteacher