Coaching

Coaching with Rachel has:

“re-affirmed my own belief in my own self-worth and self-ability and what’s the word I’m looking for? Resilience.  I said really early on in the coaching that I know that I won’t let me down and that’s just got stronger and stronger.”  Deputy Head.

Coaching is a goal-focused activity, that concentrates on thought patterns and actions related to a specific situation or issue.  It is increasingly used within the education sector as a way of developing practice and increasing effectiveness.  Coaching relies on facilitated conversation through which thoughts become conscious, clearer, more structured and insightful. 

 

There are many different types of coaching, but I predominantly offer values-based and self-leadership coaching.

 

Who can benefit from these types of coaching?

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As with reflective supervision, coaching can be beneficial to anyone working in schools, colleges, universities or any other setting involving educating children and young people.  The types of coaching I offer are particularly beneficial for:

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• Headteacher/principals

• Senior and middle leaders, either individuals or teams

• Teachers with specific pastoral or staff developments roles (e.g., SENDCOs, safeguarding leads and team members, learning mentors, heads of house, mental health leads, ECT mentors)

• Leaders at all levels who are new to role

• Class teachers and paraprofessionals (e.g., LSAs).

• Early career teachers and trainee teachers

• Experienced leaders and teachers

• School staff who are on their way to losing their passion for their roles or who are experiencing unmanageable work-related stress

• School staff who are wanting to leave the profession or considering next career steps

• Consultants, coaches and trainers within the education sector.

 

I support coachees to:

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• Think about a situation or issue which may be either self-selected or related to a focus set by the school

• Identify issues and actions which may conflict with their values or 'preferred-self'

• Deconstruct meaning - challenging perspectives, misconceptions and destructive/limiting thoughts and beliefs

• Reframe challenges and negative thoughts into more positive and agentic ones

• Identify the naturally rewarding aspects of their roles, along with positive and negative cues

• Find new ways forward, including through co-constructed solutions

• Rehearse new ideas by providing a safe space where they can use me as a sounding board

• Become more self-aware and proficient in reflexive activity so that skills can be applied autonomously to transform other situations.

 

Coaching can support psychological need satisfaction and therefore wellbeing, even when it’s not the primary focus.

Examples include increased:

 

• Autonomy - identifying ways of acting in line with values

• Belonging - a non-judgemental, supportive, professional relationship can reduce feelings of isolation

• Competence - as goals are achieved, self-belief and mastery are increased, creating feelings of happiness and satisfaction

• Positive emotions - celebrating successes and reframing situations can make them seem less stressful

• Psychological availability - providing an outlet for emotions in a safe space reduces the need for emotional suppression, freeing up psychological energy to focus on problem identification and resolution

• Self-acceptance - accepting fallibility and using mistakes and uncertainty as learning opportunities.

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Practicalities

 

Coaching is available:

• 1:1 or in small groups (max 6)

• Online or face to face (depending on location)

• Monthly, termly (6 x a year) or each double term (3 x a year) - prices vary according to number of sessions booked. Please see pricing page 

• With sessions typically lasting for an hour, but longer sessions can be arranged where required and are recommended for group sessions 

• At a mutually convenient time, usually during the school day but some evening and weekend slots are also available​.  Sessions are usually held in term-time but some slots may be available during holidays.  For more information, please get in touch using the contact information below

• Through school/setting or privately.  If arranged via a setting for multiple members of staff, contractual arrangements will be made with one organiser.  Discounts are available where four or more staff are booked to receive 1:1 coaching.

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Please use the contact details below to request an initial (free, no-obligation) chat to talk through needs, ask/answer queries and to see if we are the right 'fit' for each other.​