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Education nearly lost me. So I keep coming back to it.
I was the kid who got excluded, then quit college after a few months. Today I speak to the head teachers, principals and staff who refuse to give up on kids like I was, and to the students who need to hear that their postcode isn't their future.
Clear and impactful without any arrogance.
“He shared his experience with Heads at our Annual Conference to ask them [to] remember why they became teachers, and what really matters: finding that little Omar and showing him you believe in him! His message and presence was clear and impactful without any arrogance. I would thoroughly recommend Omar.”Katherine BluckHead of Professional Development, IAPS
“His story is powerful, his energy is infectious, and the things that he said to our delegates left them inspired and energised to create change.”Rachel JohnsonCEO, PiXL
This isn't a side line. It's where the work started.
Young people were my first audience, and they're still the hardest. They'll walk out the moment you're boring and they can smell a script from the back row. Everything I know about holding a room, I learned in school halls.
Over the years that work has grown into the whole sector. I've spoken in more than 200 schools, colleges and universities, and I've sat with education leaders on workforce development, apprenticeships and the pathways that keep good people in the profession. My story is even taught: it's featured in The Oxford Textbook on Criminology, published by Oxford University Press.
So when I stand in front of a room of head teachers or principals, I'm not visiting. I know what's on your desk: staff wellbeing, recruitment and retention, results that are judged every year, and the pressure of leading people through change that never seems to stop.
You spend every day carrying other people's potential. My job is to remind you why, and give you something that makes Monday easier.
Four rooms, one sector.
Head teacher and principal conferences
For the people who carry the whole institution. On leading through pressure, protecting your own standards when everything is urgent, and building a culture people want to stay in. Built on The Leadership Edge.
Senior leadership and governors
Away days and strategy sessions for SLTs, trust boards and governors. Interactive, practical, and focused on how leaders communicate change so staff come with them rather than resist it.
Staff conferences and INSET
Reigniting purpose for people who give everything to their students. On wellbeing, resilience, small wins that stack, and remembering the difference one adult can make in a young person's life.
Students, graduations and awards
My story, told for young people: knife crime, peer pressure, belonging, and choosing a direction. Honest, never glamorised, and always ending on a way forward. Tailored for secondary, FE and university students.
For the people who lead schools and colleges.
- A clear way to lead staff through change without losing them
- The standards that protect culture when time and money are short
- A reminder of why they chose this work, and the energy to keep going
- A free copy of the Reinvention Handbook for every delegate
For students
- Proof that where you start doesn't decide where you finish
- The confidence to say no to the crowd and walk their own way
- One small, specific step to take this week
What the room said.
“The staff have left feeling like they now understand their purpose a little bit more.”Rob MetcalfeVice Principal, Oaklands College
Some of whom missed their lunch in order to stay and speak with him.
“He engaged well with the audience, some of whom missed their lunch in order to stay and speak with him. A testament in itself!”Tracy WoodCo-chair, OAPHP, Oldham headteachers group, part of the North West Association of Primary Heads
Powerful, authentic and deeply motivating.
“His “From the Streets to Success” session was powerful, authentic and deeply motivating, leaving a lasting impact on our staff. I highly recommend Omar to any organisation looking for a speaker who truly inspires educators.”Andrew SladePrincipal and Chief Executive, Oaklands College
A kind, authentic presence that made him a pleasure to work with.
“Omar brought practical strategies, thoughtful challenge, and a fresh perspective to our conference. His journey, and his passion for inspiring others, truly resonated with our audience. We’re delighted we chose him for our event.”Rachel WalkerPolicy and Projects Manager, AoC Sport
“Thank you Omar for your inspirational talk at BMet as part of our staff conference.”Anna JacksonDeputy Principal, BMet
Where I've spoken.
From primary schools to universities, further education colleges and prisons, and the conferences where the leaders of all of them meet.
Breakthrough. The book I needed at seventeen.
Published by Hachette in 2025, Breakthrough: From the Streets to Success is written for young people. It's my story, and the tools that got me out: understanding the six human needs behind every choice, turning limiting beliefs around, and stacking small successes.
It went into the Amazon Top 100 in its first week and is now read in classrooms and prison libraries. Schools can arrange signed copies alongside a talk, and a portion of proceeds supports vulnerable children in Myanmar.
Good to know.
Is the student talk suitable for all ages?
I tailor it for the room. The version for secondary students is different from the one for FE or university, and the hardest parts of my story are always handled with care. We'll agree the content on our planning call.
Can you speak at our head teacher or principal conference?
Yes. Leadership conferences are some of my favourite rooms, and the talk is built around the pressures your delegates are facing this year. Tell me the theme and I'll shape it with you.
Can you combine a staff session and a student talk on the same day?
Yes, and it works well: staff and students hear the same message from different angles. Mention it in your enquiry and we'll plan the day together.
We have an education budget. Is it worth asking?
Always ask. Tell me what you're working with and I'll be straight with you about what's possible.
Can students get copies of the book?
Yes. Signed copies of Breakthrough can be arranged alongside a talk, for a library, a year group or prizes.
Check a date.
Tell me the date and the room, wherever in the world it is. You'll hear back within one working day to check your date and arrange a short call with me.
Need to get sign-off first? Download the one-pager to share with your team.
Prefer email? bookings@omarsharif.me