Who We Are

We are a committed group of ex-boarding school pupils who understand the unique institutional experience of attending these schools, as well as working within them as adults. Our directors can be seen below on this page.

We believe in the power of connection and compassion, and have built the largest network of progressive school wellbeing and welfare providers in the UK to add to our own experience as educators, emotional health coaches, and in the world of social care.

This panel of experts has helped us to shape our flagship service that we provide to schools, The Seen & Heard Wellbeing & Welfare Stakeholder Survey. This externally delivered and impartial survey process can form the foundation for any school that wants to take pastoral care, wellbeing and welfare of all stakeholders seriously. It delivers meaningful and actionable insight from pupils, parents, staff, SLT and governors, alongside thoughtful recommendations and recommended providers/suppliers for building on successes, or solutions for challenging areas.

We also advocate for 50+ specialist educational wellbeing and welfare providers including Emotion Coaching UK, Thrive Approach, Flourishing Education, Nurture UK, Curriculum For Life, Nicky Shaw Care & Learning, Zero No Bully, Trauma Informed Schools, and many more.

If your school has an opportunity or challenge that can’t be solved by us or one of our panel, we’ll find the right provider for you! Taking the time and stress out of providing a nurturing and safe school environment for all stakeholders.

History

Founded in late 2023 by a group of ex-boarding school pupils who connected through an online shared interest group.

It began as a discussion amongst a wider group of people from this support group, including professionals from diverse backgrounds including mental health, education, social care and business. All of whom shared a passion for better understanding and advocating progressive pastoral care and safeguarding in boarding and independent day schools, as well as supporting adult ex-pupils who may be struggling with their wellbeing.

The idea and name for Seen & Heard was born from this process. We want past and present pupils and staff to feel truly seen & heard, to find support quickly, and for the quality and integrity of that support to have been validated for them, so that they can trust in the process and materials available.

Our adult wellbeing support services via our partner website www.seenheard.org.uk are now well established as the leading provider in the UK of free specialist sharing groups, therapeutic practitioners and self-help.

Our focus with Seen & Heard Schools is to support the sector with the most progressive wellbeing and welfare programs possible, inspiring inset days, and full school stakeholder surveys with integrity that can be used as a basis to build strategy, and measure results.

A Seen & Heard school is a safe school, and it’s a happy school, for all stakeholders.

Future

We have a vision to see UK boarding and independent schools leading the world on stakeholder wellbeing and welfare.

Schools will be trauma informed, putting the health and happiness of all stakeholders ahead of results, and building their reputation on more than just academic or sporting success.

Tobi Tarquin – Director, Co-Founder

Tobi Tarquin was educated within the independent sector throughout, and boarded for three years at prep school, then five years at public school between 1972 and 1980.

He writes:” I spent most of my career in education, working in state and independent schools in the UK and around the world. I was privileged to become a house master in a UK senior boarding school and to be appointed to three successive headships, two of which were overseas, International, schools.”

“My long career in, and international perspective on, education has convinced me that some freedom from the many, ever changing, government controls and demands, coupled to the traditional benefits of small class sizes and the ability to attract and retain the very best staff, gives an independent school an inherent advantage and I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue to support their evolution within our ever altering social and economic situation.”

“I’m delighted to have become co-founder of Seen and Heard and look forward to bringing my wide-ranging expertise in all things education to support this very valuable project.”

Andrew Milbank – Director, Co-Founder

Andrew is 53 years old and attended independent boarding school from 8-18 years old in the 80’s.

Andrew has worked in many areas of social care for 15+ years, and is committed to improving pastoral care, especially in organisations and sectors that have traditionally struggled to maintain high standards.

He is proud to be a co-founder of Seen & Heard, whilst also committed to his director role of NACAS, which predominantly focusing on improving the working lives of professional carers.

Chris Braitch – Director, Co-Founder

Chris is 43 years old and attended an independent boarding school from 7-13 years old in the 80’s and early 90’s. He then was a day pupil at an independent day and boarding school from 13-16yrs old, before going on to 6th form college and University to study business and marketing.

He comes from a business background working in sales, marketing and management for 20+ years in the food industry within blue-chip multinationals, as well as his role as a growth consultant for UK-based startups and SME’s. Having gone as far as he could go in that world, and following an emotional breakdown in 2021, he has changed his life, retrained, and is now a coach specialising in emotional health, as well as the project lead director for Seen & Heard.

Chris is passionate about ensuring young people are recognised for their uniqueness, are listened to, and that education is designed with them in mind, not something that is forced upon them. He believes that the biggest challenge facing UK boarding and independent day schools is burnout of pupils and staff, and that this has come from a “more is more” culture. An arms-race between schools to try and remain commercially viable, and meet increasingly unrealistic parental demands. He advocates a more thoughtful “less is more” approach which begins with the wellbeing and welfare of staff, pupils and parents.

Tiffany Ford – Volunteer, Fundraising and special projects

Tiffany brings over 20 years of international corporate legal and business experience, having worked across global banks, technology, media companies, and start-ups. Her career has taken her to the UK, Europe, the US, and India, giving her a deep appreciation of both Western and Eastern cultures. A native English speaker, she is also conversant in Hindi and French.

Tiffany’s personal life has been touched by the emotional challenges that can affect ex-boarders and their families, giving her a heartfelt understanding of the importance of mental health support for our community. She is passionate about helping to create safe spaces where people can feel heard and supported.

Beyond her professional and volunteer commitments, Tiffany enjoys travel, music, and fostering cats and dogs. She values community, connection, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Nichola Tearle – Volunteer, Operations Manager

Nichola is a Lawyer and Lecturer and has dedicated her career to advocating for others, particularly those who have experienced harm, trauma, or injustice. Nichola has a Masters in Human Rights Law, with a deep understanding of international Laws governing Child Trafficking. She is shortly embarking on her ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Adviser) qualification to continue advocating for survivors.

Currently, Nichola is in-post as Operations Manager for Seen & Heard, assisting with the day-to-day running of Seen & Heard adult services, and Seen & Heard Schools.