John Murphy

"I'm six-foot, three; bald and look like Shrek."

How many head-teachers would introduce themselves to the students of their new school with a sentence like this? Probably none. But then, how many head-teachers have John Murphy's irresistible charisma? Perhaps one.

John Murphy is one of the country's highest profile specialists in transforming schools in challenging circumstances: appearing on The One Show, Teachers' TV News, the Guardian and recently on the front cover of the Wall Street Post (students from his school having broken the world record for synchronized dancing). Though youthful, (described in Education Guardian as having "astounding" energy), he has held six headships in various sectors and is now Executive Principal across two academies in Croydon.

John's impact on the educational chances of hard to reach children is recognised as significant on a national level. A genuine expert in management and transformation of behaviour, John is a future leaders coach and has spoken in front of 400 other head teachers for City Challenge and for Teach First students, after which most of the audience volunteered to come and work for him.

As a speaker he is captivating, anarchic and, though it is an overused word in educational circles, genuinely inspirational.