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Helen Kelly

Region(s) South Dublin, West Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow-Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford

Qualifications and Affiliations


Diploma in Personal Leadership and Executive Coaching, Kingstown College
MSc Psychology, Open University
Diploma Psychology, Open University
BSc Psychology, Open University
B.Ed, NUI

Affiliations/Memberships
European Mentoring & Coaching Council
International Coaching Federation
Teaching Council of Ireland

Experience in one to one coaching


As part of the Career Decisions/CDT team who have successfully coached over 400 School Principals and as a former School Principal, Helen has a genuine understanding of the challenge’s principals face on a daily basis.
Helen combines her vast experience in the education sector and her background in Psychology and Emotional Intelligence with her coaching skills. Having Coached principals and teachers, Helen has identified a work life imbalance and her coaching has helped principals to prioritise, delegate more effectively and visualise future goals and objectives in a more positive light.

As a former Principal of a large Dublin Primary School, Helen was involved in coaching and mentoring over 50 new teachers, intensively in the N.Q.T. year and regularly throughout their progression to senior leadership roles. Coaching with Helen provides time for reflection, in a non-judgemental and safe environment.

Over the past eight years, Helen has mentored newly appointed principals, she encourages and supports principals to maximise their full potential and develop their skills as they embrace their new role.

Helen coaches and supported principals, deputy principals, teachers and aspiring leaders internationally through her work as a Masters of Educational Leadership Lecturer.

Helen has served on the Board of Management of two Primary Schools and is currently serving on the Board of Management in a Dublin Secondary School. Helen has a deep understanding of current legislation and circulars from DE and is fully aware of the impact Covid-19 has had on schools and on teaching, learning and exams.

“Helen combines empathy and insight with a decisiveness that reflects a rare capacity. She is a superb communicator, listens attentively and responds incisively according to the needs of others. Helen is uniquely competent, by personality, experience & understanding, to coach other principals, learning their craft and encountering difficulties”.
Education Consultant and Facilitator


CSL is funded by the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education (DE)
This service is managed by Clare Education Centre.