Lucy Lewin and Kelsie McIntyre

Lead to Achieve: From Surviving to Thriving in Education Leadership

Lucy is the Founder & CEO of Little Angels, UK

Kelsie is the Operations Lead of Little Angels, UK

Workshop Information:

This session is designed to reignite leadership purpose and confidence in education professionals by blending practical tools with powerful mindset shifts. Through the lens of strengths-based leadership and lived experience, it equips participants to lead with clarity, courage, and conviction especially in times of pressure or change.

Participants will leave with ideas and real action steps to create sustainable, human-centred change in their settings and schools 

What does it really take to lead in a system that often feels broken?

In this energising and thought-provoking session, I will guide participants through a dynamic leadership reset, grounded in strengths psychology, emotionally intelligent leadership, and real-world application from early years and whole-school contexts.

We’ll explore:

        •        How to shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, values-led leadership

        •        Why many education leaders feel “broken” by their roles and how to reframe that with power

        •        Tools to harness personal strengths (including an optional digital self-assessment)

        •        How to create momentum and clarity, even when systems feel overwhelming

This isn’t about toxic positivity or surface-level motivation. It’s about mobilising what’s already within, and walking away with practical, evidence-informed steps to make your leadership more effective, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling.

This session blends storytelling, strategy, and coaching-style questions creating space for personal reflection and bold conversation.

This session will be co-delivered by Lucy Lewin (CEO, Profitable Nursery Academy) and Kelsie McIntyre (Operations Lead, Little Angels), combining strategic insight and on-the-ground leadership experience.

Session Outcomes:

1.        Participants will leave with a 5-step tool to clarify their current leadership focus and identify where overwhelm is limiting their impact.

2.        Each participant will gain a practical framework to map team strengths and increase collective confidence and cohesion.

Biography:

Lucy Lewin is a driven and passionate entrepreneur from Rutland. As the founder and owner of both the Profitable Nursery Academy and Little Angels (Uppingham), she has dedicated her career to providing high-quality education and care for children and coaching and training educators. With over 20 years of experience in the early childhood education industry, Lucy is known for her innovative and child-centred approach to teaching. Her commitment to excellence has earned her a reputation as a leading figure in the early years education community. Lucy continues to inspire and empower young minds through her tireless work and dedication to early childhood education.

Kelsie McIntyre - 12 years of dedication to Little Angels Uppingham and a lifelong passion for nurturing young minds, Kelsie is a committed Early Years professional who has made a meaningful impact in the field of early childhood education. Having successfully managed a nursery setting for five years, she now extends her expertise across Rutland and the Midlands, supporting other nurseries to elevate their practice and outcomes.

Kelsie is known for her warm, holistic approach that blends experience, insight, and a deep understanding of child development. Her commitment to mentoring and guiding fellow practitioners has inspired many to grow in confidence and quality. Whether working directly with children or coaching teams, Kelsie brings enthusiasm and care, always championing child-led learning.

Her mission is simple to share her knowledge, offer guidance, and uplift others in the early years sector-ensuring that every setting can be a place where children thrive and educators feel empowered.