champs-academy.co.uk Reviews 267

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

May 11, 2026

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review Nithya. I am really pleased that both the parent mentoring and coaching support helped bring more calm, structure and understanding into family life. So many parents feel overwhelmed by chaotic mornings, emotional pushback or uncertainty around how best to support their teenager and often small practical changes can make a significant difference over time.

I always aim to make both parents and teenagers feel comfortable, understood and supported from the very beginning because trust and connection are such an important part of helping young people build confidence and emotional resilience.

I am also really pleased that the routines and strategies we discussed helped create more relaxed and structured mornings at home. Consistency, predictability and simple systems can have a very positive impact on confidence, communication and day to day family life.

Thank you again for your trust, kindness and recommendation. It was a pleasure supporting your family.

Annette Du Bois
CHAMPS Academy Teen Confidence Coaching and Parent Mentoring

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

May 11, 2026

Thank you for your kind words Tracy. Parent mentoring is such an important part of the work I do because when parents begin to better understand what is happening beneath the surface for their teenager, communication, connection and confidence at home can start to shift in a much more positive way.

Teenagers are often struggling with far more internally than they show outwardly and many parents are left feeling confused, frustrated or unsure how best to help. I am really pleased that our parent mentoring sessions helped you gain greater insight into your teen’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour during this stage of life.

Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. It was a pleasure supporting you and your family through this important time.

Annette Du Bois
CHAMPS Academy Teen Confidence Coaching and Parent Mentoring

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

May 9, 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Every young person is different, which is why I believe confidence coaching for children and teenagers should never feel generic or one size fits all. Taking the time to understand how a child thinks, feels and responds is often what creates the biggest breakthroughs.

I am really pleased your daughter felt heard and understood throughout the sessions because that foundation is so important when helping young people build confidence, emotional resilience and stronger self belief.

The progress she has made is a credit to her willingness to engage in the process and keep applying what we worked on together. Confidence does not usually appear overnight. It develops through small shifts in thinking, behaviour and perspective that gradually build momentum over time.

Thank you again for trusting me to support your daughter’s development. It has been lovely to see her growth and progress.

Teen Confidence Coach, Annette Du Bois

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

Apr 21, 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I take feedback seriously, especially where it involves young people. That said, several points in your review do not accurately reflect the coaching process, our communication or my direct experience working with your son.

On feeling “pressured” to commit
CHAMPS Academy does not operate on pressure. At no stage are parents pushed into a decision. What was made clear from the outset was that your son needed support with social communication sooner rather than later, based on what you shared. I also explained my limited availability at the time due to an active waiting list. That is not pressure, it is transparency so parents can make an informed decision.

On your son’s experience in sessions
Your statement that he “did not feel comfortable” and “did not find them helpful” does not align with what I observed. He was engaged, attentive and responsive. He asked questions, contributed to discussions and showed understanding of the tools being introduced. These are clear indicators of participation and benefit.

In later sessions, he spoke positively about his school trip to Barcelona, which you also confirmed had boosted his confidence. That does not support the claim that the overall impact was negative.

On “increasing self awareness without building confidence”
This reflects a misunderstanding of how confidence develops. Self awareness is the starting point. Without it, there is nothing to change. The work with your son focused on practical application, not just awareness, including:

* Identifying appropriate peers rather than defaulting to “popular groups”
* Initiating plans with one person rather than avoiding
* Using simple steps to reduce overthinking in social situations

These strategies were clearly outlined and supported between sessions.

On session length and effectiveness
Sessions are intentionally 30 minutes. This is a design choice based on experience, not a limitation. Teenagers engage better in focused, structured sessions. This format has been used successfully with hundreds of young people.

Coaching also requires action between sessions. Where tasks are delayed or avoided, progress will stall. This was evident around initiating social plans, where guidance was provided but not consistently followed through.

On the claim that coaching lowered his confidence

This is a serious assertion and not consistent with how confidence works. When a young person begins stepping outside avoidance patterns, it can feel uncomfortable. That is not a decline, it is part of growth.

If those steps are not followed through, the brain returns to avoidance, reinforcing hesitation. That is not caused by coaching, but by incomplete implementation alongside ongoing influences at home, school and socially.

On the discussion of additional needs
This point is misrepresented. Any mention of possible underlying factors was based on information you shared initially, including reference to possible high functioning autism.

I do not diagnose. However, where patterns suggest something may be influencing behaviour, it is appropriate to raise this as a consideration in a confidential parent conversation. It was not presented as a conclusion or used to deflect responsibility, but to explore understanding more fully.

Coaching is not one size fits all and not every young person engages at the same pace. Adjustments were made where concerns were raised and additional support was offered.

I stand by the integrity of the coaching provided and the communication throughout. I wish your son the very best moving forward.

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

Apr 21, 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share this and for trusting CHAMPS Academy with something so important.

When confidence starts to limit a child’s willingness to try new experiences it can quietly shrink their world. That’s where structured coaching needs to step in, not just to talk about confidence but to give a young person practical tools they can actually use in real situations.

I’m really pleased to hear how your daughter responded to the sessions especially given your initial concerns about online coaching. One of my priorities is making Zoom feel natural engaging and effective so children can open up and apply what they’re learning without it feeling forced or clinical.

What you’ve described is the outcome we’re aiming for, not instant transformation but clear measurable progress. The fact she’s now signed up for an after school dance class is significant. That’s not just a nice moment, it shows a real shift in how she thinks feels and behaves, which is where confidence is built.

You’re also right to highlight that this is ongoing. Confidence is not a one time fix, it strengthens through use. The tools only work if they’re applied consistently and it sounds like she’s already started doing that which is exactly what we want to see.

I appreciate your openness throughout the process as that always plays a role in how far a child can go.

Kids/Teen Confidence Coach Annette Du Bois

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

Apr 22, 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share this, I really appreciate it.

What you described is something I see often. When a young person is struggling to make friends, confidence tends to drop quickly and isolation can follow. It is not just about social skills, it is how they think, feel and respond in those moments that needs to change.

Your daughter did exactly that. She started to understand what was happening in her own mind and more importantly, what to do with it. That is where confidence actually builds, not from being told to be more confident, but from having simple, usable ways to handle real situations.

I am really pleased to hear she is now feeling more able and less held back around others. That shift is what opens the door to friendships, opportunities and a very different experience at school and beyond.

Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to support her. 🙂

Teen Confidence Coach, Annette Du Bois

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

Apr 22, 2026

Thank you for sharing this, it captures such an important turning point for many teens who have been knocked by peer experiences and start to hold themselves back socially.

What you described at the start is something I see often. When confidence takes a hit through bullying or friendship challenges, teens don’t suddenly lack ability, they start second guessing themselves. That hesitation is usually what blocks them from taking the social steps that would actually rebuild confidence.

Your son’s initial reluctance was completely normal. Most teens are unsure at first. The shift tends to happen when they realise it is not about being judged or “fixed” but having a space to think clearly, understand what is going on and learn how to handle it differently. From there, you start to see the openness, the reflection and most importantly the action.

The fact he is now arranging social plans and stepping into dating tells you everything. That is not surface level change, that is a young person who is starting to trust himself again and move forward rather than hold back.

For any parent reading this who is worried about their teen’s confidence, especially after bullying or social setbacks, early support matters. When teens learn how to manage their thinking, emotions and behaviour properly, confidence follows through real life results, not just reassurance.

It has been a pleasure working with him and seeing that shift happen in real time.

Teen Confidence Coach, Annette Du Bois

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

Apr 30, 2026

Thank you Mary, I really appreciate you taking the time to share this.

It’s very normal for a young person to feel a little sceptical at the start, so the shift you’ve described is important. When they begin to engage, reflect and actually use the tools in their day to day life, that’s where real progress happens.

I’m particularly pleased to hear how openly Evie spoke with you about the sessions and the advice we worked through. That level of reflection and communication is a strong indicator that her confidence and emotional awareness are developing in a meaningful way.

At CHAMPS Academy, the focus is always on simple, practical techniques young people can use independently. It sounds like Evie is doing exactly that, which is what will continue to support her long after the sessions have finished.

Thank you again for your trust. It’s been a pleasure working with her.

If you need anything else please reach out.

Many thanks, Coach Annette Du Bois.

Reply from champs-academy.co.uk

Jan 5, 2026

Thank you so much for this lovely review. It really means a lot to me.

Starting secondary school is a huge transition and it has been wonderful to see how confidently your daughter has stepped into it. Making new friends, joining clubs and even volunteering to speak with younger children and parents shows just how much her confidence and communication have grown in a short space of time.

I am really glad the coaching felt supportive and practical for both her and for you as parents. That balance is something I care deeply about. Hearing that the impact will support her for years to come is exactly why I do what I do at CHAMPS Academy.

Thank you again for trusting me with such an important stage of her journey 🌻

Annette Du Bois
Founder, CHAMPS Academy
Helping children and teens build confidence for life 🌻