Who we are

Balanced Schools is a trading name for Samantha Garner.

Sam is a well-known in the Education Sector (Sam would say famous). Her use of humour and “tell-it-like-it-is” attitude is widely recognised and appreciated.

Sam has worked as a SENCo and provided specialist support for a wide range of alternative education settings.  She is a member of the Devon & Cornwall Branch of the Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH’s).

She is also a mental health practitioner and coach with accredited qualifications as:

• Counsellor
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
• Master Mindset Coach incorporating Confidence Life Coach, Emotional Intelligence Life Coach, CBT Cognitive Behavioural Life Coach Certification and REBT Mindset Life Coach

Sam has also completed, and continues to undertake, a wealth of accredited CPD training and direct experience supporting a wide range of areas including trauma and neurodiversity.

She is a published author with Routledge Press – “Mental Health in Education – Building Good foundations” – published in 2019.

She also has lived experience:

“I’m a fat confident middle-aged woman, with depression and alopecia which gives me a lot of lived experience as well!

I’m currently on my second marriage (keeping him on his toes!), and I have two daughters and one step-son.”

In her spare time, Sam has an alter-ego – Mrs Jones! She can be found occasionally performing around South Devon singing the best Soul & Motown from the 60’s & 70’s.