Sandra’s work is informed by both professional expertise and lived experience, which she brings into her writing, training and consultancy. She leads a network of experienced associate consultants and specialists, enabling Childhood Matters to deliver tailored, high-quality support to schools, families and organisations working with complex educational and emotional needs.
Sandra Tibbles
Sandra is the Founder and Managing Director of Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd and a former mainstream and special school Headteacher.
She brings over 30 years of experience across education, leadership and consultancy, working with children and young people from early years through to post-16 across local authority maintained schools, multi-academy trusts, community schools and the independent sector, both in the UK and internationally.
Sandra is widely recognised for her expertise in inclusion, SEND and relational approaches to education. She is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences and leadership events on key areas including Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA), inclusion and SEND, restorative approaches to behaviour support, adaptive teaching and learning, and alternative provision models within education systems.
She has chaired a Global School Principals Summit at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, convening international educational leaders to explore equity, wellbeing and practical approaches to improving outcomes for children and young people.
Sandra’s work is grounded in the belief that education systems must respond to the whole child—recognising emotional well-being, belonging, and developmental needs alongside academic progress. Her approach integrates educational neuroscience, leadership experience and SEND expertise to support schools in creating environments where high expectations are balanced with compassion and understanding.
Her specialist training in neurodiversity includes advanced ADHD and autism assessment qualifications, including the DIVA, DIVA-5, ADI-R and ADOS-2. This enables her to provide ADHD and autism screening and diagnostic assessment services, supporting families to gain clarity, reduce uncertainty and identify practical next steps for support.
Anyone who knows Mark knows that he serves the best coffee in town, maybe even the county!
Mark Tibbles
With over 30 years of sales and marketing experience, Mark Tibbles is the Marketing, Finance and Operations Director for our Alternative Provision, Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd and is COO of Childhood Matters inclusion services Ltd.
Mark brings a wealth of experience from a range of industries, together with his valuable lived experience as a parent, supporting two neurodivergent children through their education and in preparation for adulthood.
Mark offers a knowledgeable, highly organised and safe pair of hands to schools and mentors and he efficiently coordinates the day-to-day running of the AP.
Things to know about Mark are that he can bake a fantastic loaf of sour dough, loves a spreadsheet or two and can beat his son when playing pool and ‘quick 10’ basketball. He makes everyone feel safe, welcome and that they belong and matter, and his latte art skills are out of this world.
