Andrew Cowley

Andrew is a former deputy headteacher in London with a strong passion for staff and pupil mental health and wellbeing in schools. He is now a writer and speaker on this crucial topic.

He is the co-founder of the Healthy Toolkit blog and X/Twitter account, a significant presence on the topic of teacher wellbeing on this platform. He promotes the challenging of attitudes and outlooks towards wellbeing, believing it to be a strategic consideration, one that requires planning and anticipation, rather than acting after the event. Andrew can offer practical ways to support teachers with their physical and mental health.

Andrew has also blogged for the Education Support Partnership and BBC Teach and written articles for Teach Primary Magazine, Twinkl and RISE EduMag. During the first lockdown he co-authored The Weekly Wellbeing Toolkit, a free-of-charge digital newsletter offering support for children and families as well as for school staff at this challenging time. He is a regular guest on a range of educational and wellbeing podcasts including Tiny Voice Talks and Naylor’s Natter.

Now retired from school, Andrew delivers wellbeing and mental health focussed CPD for schools in the UK and overseas with recent clients including The Key and the UAE Teachers Network. Since 2021 Andrew has been a coach and mentor for schools undertaking the School Mental Health Award, and has coached schools undertaking the Senior Designated Mental Health Leaders training programme. Both of these are in association with the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health In Schools at Leeds Beckett University.

Andrew is the author of The Wellbeing Toolkit (2019), promoting strategic and values-led staff wellbeing and of The Wellbeing Curriculum (2021), which develops a holistic approach to wellbeing for primary school. Most recently, The School Mental Health Toolkit (2025) promotes positive cultures around mental health in schools promoting a whole school approach and introducing the unique THINK framework. All three books are published by Bloomsbury Education.
His speaking engagements cover topics such as creating a culture of emotional wellbeing, leadership of wellbeing, and practical strategies for supporting mental health in school His work emphasizes that wellbeing should be a strategic and continuous consideration in schools, embedded in the culture and built on positive relationships. He advocates for empathetic leadership and understanding the impact of our words and actions on others’ wellbeing.

Andrew Cowley is a sought-after speaker who delivers keynote speeches and CPD sessions in schools on wellbeing for both staff and children.