Dominic J, referrer and consultant to Lionheart Education

Educational Complexity, Expertly Navigated

Consultancy with Lionheart

Our consultancy supports families from early years to university. We specialise in independent schools, competitive admissions, complex issues and specialist learning needs — offering expert guidance with a view on the long term.

Speak with our team

Black and white photo of father and son having breakfast in large American style house

Mother and daughter walking up some steps of an Italian style villa

Expert educational advice, for the milestones that matter

Choosing a school, university, or academic path isn’t just about rankings or admissions criteria — it’s about alignment: between your child’s needs and what an institution can truly offer.

We help you define your educational priorities, avoid costly missteps, and build a strategy for long-term success. For families navigating more complex circumstances, we bring clarity, compassion, and deep expertise — even where others have given up.

Family case studies

Watercolour Illustration of NYC Townhouse

From New York to London — with no time to waste

A family relocating mid-year needed urgent advice on London day schools for their son. We assessed his academic level, mapped potential schools, and coordinated private tuition during the transition. Within six weeks, he had secured a place at a top-tier independent school.

Illustration of sad child sat beside a wall

When a child won’t go to school, everything stops

A 14-year-old had been out of school for months due to anxiety and past trauma. We built a personalised, relationship-first homeschooling plan alongside clinical input, slowly reintroducing academic structure. He’s now re-engaged, studying full-time, and on track for his GCSEs.

One incident. No second chances — or so they were told

After being excluded from a competitive day school, a 12-year-old boy was referred to us. We provided immediate tuition, coordinated a reintegration plan, and liaised with receiving schools. Within a term, he was accepted at a new school and thriving.

Tennis athlete and stack of books next to him

Bright, ambitious — but coasting

A gifted student and athlete in sixth form was excelling in class but not being pushed academically. We designed a long-term academic programme including super-curricular mentorship, early ACT preparation, and targeted tuition. He has since secured a scholarship place at an Ivy League.

Relocation & School Placement

Complex Mental Health & School Refusal

School Exclusion

High-Achiever

When consultancy makes all the difference

What families often see	What we see	What that can mean
Strong academic results	Narrow definitions of success	May not support different learning needs or styles
‘Outstanding’ inspection reports	Compliance-driven environments	High-pressure culture, low adaptability
Polished pastoral language	Box-ticking, not deep support	Missed issues, especially in complex cases
Impressive facilities and funding	Style over substance	Gaps in teaching quality or pastoral care
Smooth admissions process	Carefully curated experience	School culture may feel different post-entry

portrait of father and son looking through papers together at desk

Our services

Lionheart partners with families to navigate the full educational journey — aligning ambition, wellbeing and opportunity from the earliest years through to university.

Early years & nursery

Choosing the right nursery or pre-prep isn’t just about famous names — it’s about the environment where your child will feel happy, safe, and curious. We help families navigate early years choices with clarity and confidence.
Early Years Support
School placement

From top-tier day and boarding schools to urgent placements, we guide families through every step — shortlisting, preparation, visits, and final decisions. Our advice is based on decades of honest, experience-led insight.
School Placement
University admissions

Whether your child is applying to Oxbridge, a US college, medical school, or another competitive path, we help families build smart, realistic strategies — and support every stage of the journey.
University Admissions
SEND consultancy

We support families navigating Special Educational Needs — from diagnosis and EHCPs to choosing the right school and building the right support around a student. Calm, practical advice at every stage.
SEND Support
Mental health support

When emotional wellbeing is the priority, we help families make decisions that support both progress and recovery. Our team brings years of experience working with anxiety, school refusal, and complex needs.
Mental Health Support
Relocation & global transitions

Moving between systems, countries or cultures? We help families make smooth transitions — finding schools, preserving momentum, and ensuring your child feels supported, not disrupted.
Relocation Education Support
Education crisis management

When things go wrong — breakdowns, exclusions, or sudden changes — we act quickly. Our goal is to help families stabilise, reframe, and move forward with a stronger plan.
Education Crisis Support
Careers & futures

Some students know exactly where they’re headed. Others don’t — yet. We help young people explore next steps with honesty, perspective, and a view to long-term success.

More than advice:
what we really offer

Connections that matter

Many of our consultants have held senior roles in leading schools and universities. They understand how decisions are made because they’ve been the ones making them.

This insight means our guidance is grounded in real experience, not guesswork — and when we advocate for a family, we do so with genuine authority.
Generic advice? Not here

A family once approached us with a daughter who was a near-professional violinist, mildly dyslexic, and hoping to study in the United States.

She didn’t need a ‘good school’.

She needed the right one.

We identified it — and built a path that honoured her ability, learning profile, and long-term ambitions.
Global perspective, local insight

We’ve supported families from all over the world, and we understand that international moves are never just logistical — they’re emotional, academic, and cultural.

When a diplomatic family had to relocate from Singapore mid-term, we secured a school that not only accepted their daughter immediately but understood the needs of globally mobile students. Our network made a complex transition unexpectedly smooth.
Support that grows with you

Education isn’t a one-off decision. It’s a long arc.

The anxious seven-year-old we helped place in a nurturing prep school?

We’re now supporting the same family through Oxbridge applications.

From urgent interventions to long-term planning, we stay with families through every milestone that matters.

Rupert Syme of Lionheart Education Consulting a student privately

Schools Consultancy

“Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you will make for your child. Get it right and you will have a happy, confident and fulfilled young person. Get it wrong and in some cases the reverse can be true.”
Rupert Syme Founder

Frequently asked questions

Do we need to be based in the UK to work with you?

Not at all. Many of the families we support live internationally. We regularly work across time zones, and can offer guidance on both UK and global education systems.
What kind of challenges can you help with?

We work with a wide range of situations — from choosing the right nursery or prep school to helping older students through academic setbacks, anxiety, or system changes. We also provide expert support during relocations, crises, or periods of uncertainty.
Can you guarantee school or university entry?

No. And any service that claims to is not acting in your best interest. What we can guarantee is deep expertise, honest advice, and strategic support that gives your child the best possible chance of success.
How soon should we get in touch?

The earlier the better. While we’re experienced in crisis management, we’re most effective when there’s time to plan carefully and build the right support around your child.
Is consultancy the same as tutoring?

No — although we often work closely with our tuition team to provide joined-up support. Consultancy is about strategic guidance and planning, not teaching.
Do you only work with high-achieving students?

Not at all. We work with students of all abilities and personalities — from those aiming for top universities to those who have lost confidence in the classroom. Our focus is always on what’s right for the individual.