The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

Joanna Feast

Joanna’s career began in adolescent mental health services and moved on to teaching A-Level Psychology. An MSc in Health Education/Health Promotion led to a career change to the Department of Health, running national initiatives to improve children’s health and well-being. Joanna then worked as part of the Healthy Schools Programme teams in Surrey and Reading.

Since self-employment in 2011, Joanna has concentrated on promoting PSHE, well-being and health in schools and other organisations, focusing on training, consultancy and writing resources.

She runs a well-being and fitness business and is an enthusiastic trainer, specialising in assertiveness skills and solution-focused thinking.

Latest blog posts

Joanna Feast

When it’s cold outside, get stuck into outdoor learning!

Yes, it may be cold but you can still embrace outdoor activities during the winter. Joanna Feast emphasises the many benefits of spending time outside, including mood improvement, stress relief and enhanced connections with nature and emotions. 'Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is...
Read more...
Joanna Feast

Where do you stand on the back-to-school spectrum? 

Going back to school evokes a spectrum of emotions. Joanna Feast offers some essential tips for a successful academic year ahead. Perhaps you're excited about the prospect of shiny new stationery, a new class or timetable, getting to know different people, new routines and settings. Maybe you're...
Read more...
Joanna Feast

Addressing unhealthy lifestyles needn't be a brain-teaser

Late nights or a predilection for fast food are truer to a young person's brain development than you might think. Joanna Feast explains how schools can promote healthier choices. Do you ever find yourself despairing of your students making less-than-healthy choices? Do you imagine how much better...
Read more...
Joanna Feast

Mental health in the curriculum: tips for teachers

How do you tackle mental health in the curriculum and get it as right as possible ? Try these tips! Tip 1: Identify needs So often, this is missed in the rush to get something ‘taught’. Instead, spend some time asking pupils questions and looking at your data: what do these tell you? What are the...
Read more...