Barry Chaters
25 years working in schools
Former Head of Sport
Former Deputy Headteacher
Author of The Elite Mindset - Academic Blueprint and Elite Mindset - High Performance Blueprint.
Creator of the SPARR revision system.
Mindset and Performance Coach with the simple of aim of helping people achieve their goals and life ambitions.
My background
I’ve seen what pressure does to people – students, athletes, leaders and parents. And I’ve also seen what happens when they’re given the space, structure and belief to think clearly again.
I grew up in the north of England, where I learned early the value of hard work, resilience and backing yourself when the path isn’t obvious.
Sport played a huge role in shaping who I am. Competing at a high level in football taught me that mindset, preparation and how you respond under pressure matter far more than talent alone. That belief has stayed with me throughout my career.
I went on to study education and sports psychology and have since spent over 25 years working in education, including more than two decades in senior leadership roles in London and Dubai. During that time, I’ve led teams, supported families, and worked closely with young people and elite performers operating under real pressure.
Today, I work as an elite mindset and performance coach, supporting individuals, athletes and professionals who feel stuck, overwhelmed or under pressure to think clearly, perform consistently and move forward with purpose.
My approach is practical, honest and centred on the individual.
No hype.
No generic advice.
Just clarity, structure and support that fits the person in front of me.
Real experience. Real progress. Real results.
Qualifications and Experience
Experience matters - especially when people are under pressure
BA Hons - Education with Sports Psychology
Diploma in Life Coaching
Trauma Informed Coach Certified
Positive Behaviour Coach Educator
25 Years Experience in Education
Professional Development Leader
If you're unsure whether coaching is right for you, that's completely normal. Most people I work with felt the same before we spoke.
The first conversation is is simply about getting clarity and understanding what support might help - nothing more
Frameworks & Publications
Practical systems designed to help people think clearly, take control, and perform under pressure.
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The Elite Mindset – Academic Blueprint
A practical guide to help students approach exams with clarity and confidence.
This isn’t about working harder.
It’s about understanding how to:
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plan effectively
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manage pressure
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and perform when it matters most
A structured approach to turning effort into results.
The SPARR Revision System
A clear, repeatable framework designed to turn overwhelm into structured action.
For students who:
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don’t know where to start
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feel behind
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or are working hard without progress
SPARR provides:
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direction
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structure
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and a system they can trust
Because clarity creates confidence.
Elite Mindset High Performance Blueprint
The same principles applied to performance in sport.
Helping young athletes:
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stay in control under pressure
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manage expectations
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perform consistently in competition
Because talent isn’t enough, mindset under pressure is everything.
Interested in how these can support you or your child? Get in touch or explore my coaching programmes.
My Coaching Philosophy
I don't believe in quick fixes, hype or generic motivation.
Because real confidence isn't something you wait for - it's something you train for.
After 25 + years working with students, athletes, and adults under pressure, I've learned something simple:
Progress ins't defined by what you know - it's defined by how you think, respond, and repeat under pressure.
I do believe:
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Confidence is trained, not gifted.
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Performing under pressure is a skill that can be learned
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Mindset work must be practical, personal and lived, not theoretical.
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Real change happens through consistency, reflection and challenge
If you have ever felt like you know what to do, but you don't do it consistently....or you perform well in practice but struggle when it matters, you are not broken, you're missing a structure that holds under pressure.
My job is to help you build that structure and then keep it.
My Coaching Approach
My coaching is built around clarity, accountability, and sustained performance, tailored to the individual, not one size fits all. We focus on building the thinking patterns and habits that hold up in real life: when motivation drops, pressure rises, and distractions are everywhere.
What we build together
Clarity and Direction
Confidence under pressure
Resilience and Mental Strength
Habits and Consistency
Transferable performance
Know what you want, why it matters, and your next steps - with purpose.
Train your mind to perform when expectations are high.
Build emotional control, self-belief, and a stronger response to setbacks.
Turn insights in to action through routines, behaviours and accountability.
Transfer the skills beyond school/sport into leadership, wellbeing and everyday life.
Want to see how this would apply to you?
Book a clarity session and we'll map out what's holding you back, what to focus on first, and the simplest structure to move forwards.