DeMontaigne Education
At DeMontaigne Education, we guide both families and schools through meaningful educational journeys—with clarity, care, and global expertise. Founded by Nichola de Montaigne, an internationally experienced school leader and consultant, we exist to cut through the complexity of the education landscape—offering tailored support that empowers confident decisions and long-term growth. We work across two branches: DeMontaigne Education Agency For families seeking the right school fit, curriculum, or programme, we offer personalised, expert-led guidance—built on decades of global insight. Whether relocating, transitioning between systems, or navigating a specific need, we simplify the path and stay by your side from first consultation to placement and beyond. DeMontaigne Education Consultancy For schools launching, growing, or evolving, we offer strategic consultancy grounded in research, design thinking, and lived leadership. From full school creation to curriculum development, values alignment, and staff culture, we help build learning environments that are purposeful, future-ready, and deeply human. Wherever you are in your educational journey—parent or principal, family or faculty—we are here to walk with you. Calm in our presence. Expert in our work. Human in everything we do.
Our Mission
We shape educational journeys that matter—for families and schools.
We offer bespoke, values-led support grounded in trust, clarity, and care.
Our Vision
Education driven by purpose, guided by people, grounded in place, and transformed through practice.
A future where learning is deeply human, personalised, and built in partnership with those it serves.
Founder & CEO | Lead Consultant
Nichola leads the full breadth of DeMontaigne Education, overseeing both Family Services and School Consultancy. With a background in psychology and more than 20 years of international experience across Europe, Asia, and South America, she has taught across K–12, developed inclusive and future-ready frameworks spanning IB, Cambridge, and national systems, and directed start-up schools through design, accreditation, and growth. She also supports families in navigating complex educational decisions with clarity and care, drawing on exceptional cross-cultural expertise and a deep understanding of diverse educational landscapes.
As CEO and Lead Consultant, she works directly with families on placement, transitions, and lifelong learning, while guiding schools in curriculum, pedagogy, culture, and inclusion. Recognised for building cultures of learning and wellbeing, she brings clarity and strategy to every partnership to ensure education is both personal and transformational.
Michael D. Raffaele
Lead Consultant | Educational Rights
Michael is an experienced education lawyer who is licensed to practice, and currently practicing, in the United States. His legal work focuses on supporting and protecting children at risk. With DeMontaigne Education, Michael consults with a specialist focus on inclusion, safeguarding, and compliance, and has advised schools, boards, and families on rights and governance. He has also worked alongside social services to ensure that contracts and policies translate into meaningful protection for learners.
As Lead Consultant at DeMontaigne Education, Michael provides strategic clarity for schools navigating governance, regulation, and accreditation, while working closely with families with complex and diverse inclusion needs. He ensures that Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) are effectively managed and implemented—with each child’s rights at the very core of everything we do.
Mark Whitefield
COO | Lead Consultant
Mark directs the operational and strategic delivery of DeMontaigne’s School Consultancy. With over 30 years of international experience, he has led multi-million-euro education and business projects through finance, governance, and operational growth, strengthened organisations across global markets, and guided institutions through complex transformations.
As COO and Lead Consultant, he works exclusively with schools, focusing on governance, finance, operations, and build development. Known for embedding a culture of excellence, he ensures vision is matched with strong systems, sustainable growth, and accountability — turning strategy into action and building environments where schools thrive.
Emmeline Barnes
Advisor & Consultant | Wellbeing & Neuroinclusion
Emmeline Barnes is a globally experienced psychotherapist and neuroinclusion advisor with more than 30 years across schools, social services, and international organisations. As founder of Untangling Minds, she has shaped inclusive mental health strategies, advised on rights and responsibilities, and delivered systemic change across diverse and multicultural contexts.
As Lead Consultant and advisor at DeMontaigne Education, Emmeline supports schools in embedding wellbeing and inclusion frameworks, guides parents through transitions, and empowers students to thrive with resilience and belonging. She ensures that excellence is achieved alongside equity, justice, and care.
Advisor & Consultant | Sustainability & Futures
João Dinis is an international sustainability leader with expertise spanning climate action, urban planning, and education for sustainable development. As Climate Action Director at Cascais Ambiente, he has represented Portugal at COP28, contributed to the EU Green Deal, and advised European cities on resilience, energy transition, and nature-based solutions.
At DeMontaigne Education, João leads on embedding sustainability across curriculum, culture, and campus design—aligning people, place, and purpose. He also supports the growth of our global ecosystem, connecting schools, communities, and organisations committed to shaping a more sustainable and regenerative future. His work ensures that sustainability is not only taught but lived, empowering learners and schools to lead meaningful change.
Charlotte Caetano
Marketing & Social Media Intern
Charlotte has completed her A Levels in English Language and Media Studies and is completing her A Level in Business. Having studied in A Level and IB schools worldwide, she brings a global outlook and a strong interest in social media and marketing.
As our Marketing and Social Media Intern, Charlotte creates content, tracks digital trends, and reports weekly on SEO and platform performance to ensure our communications stay current and effective. Alongside this, she is building her own business, gaining first-hand experience in entrepreneurship while exploring her professional pathway
More About DeMontaigne Education Founder & CEO
Nichola de Montaigne
British by nationality, born in Saudi Arabia, and native to Cascais, Portugal, Nichola de Montaigne is an international education leader with over two decades of experience across the UK, China, Brazil, Norway, the Philippines, and Portugal. She has taught, led departments, mentored teams, and served as Founding Head of an international school—building schools from the ground up, shaping curriculum, culture, and leadership for lasting impact. With a BSc in Developmental Psychology, a Master’s in International Education (Leadership & Management), and a PGCE, Nichola brings deep expertise in child development, inclusive learning, and educational transformation. She is a certified National Geographic Educator with advanced training in inclusion, mental health, dyslexia, and sustainability. Her career spans IB, British, Cambridge, and national systems, guiding schools through complex accreditation processes while designing learning that is relevant, inclusive, and future-ready. Founder of DeMontaigne Education, Nichola works with schools, leadership teams, and families worldwide, offering strategic insight and personalised direction. Her mission: to close the gap between static education systems and the needs of a rapidly changing world.
Our growing team includes trusted advisors, partner consultants, and education specialists—each bringing local knowledge, global experience, and shared values to our service.
Our Philosophy
Our work is shaped by our
Purpose • People • Place • Practice framework.
We ensure that everything we do is grounded, human, and actionable.
Your Purpose. Your Path. Our Mission-to-Action Mindset.
We turn educational vision into clear, confident pathways—so families and schools can move forward with clarity, strategy, and care.