Chris Benson

Chris Benson has lived neurodivergence from every seat at the table: as a pupil, a teacher, a headteacher of 15 years leading schools in the UK and internationally, and as the parent of an autistic son and a daughter with ADHD. He is the first serving headteacher in the UK to disclose having ADHD on a national scale, an experience that reshaped how he works with schools, families and organisations.

Chris is Education Lead at ADHD UK, a TES Magazine author on neurodiversity, and a contributor to the BBC. He works with the Confederation of School Trusts, and is an ambassador for Ambitious About Autism and a founding member of ASCL's Neuroinclusive Leaders' Community. Through HeadFirst Consulting, he works with schools and families across the UK and internationally to close the gap between what we know about neurodivergent young people and what actually happens for them in the classroom.

Chris works with Let's Be Real as a freelance trainer, bringing his expert session to HOLD, the Youth Mental Health Response tier for teachers and pastoral staff.