Schools with a strong coaching ethos inspire all classroom teachers to raise their practice to new levels.

Middle leaders increase their skills in leading and managing teams, and senior leaders strengthen their overview and vision for the school.

Coaching is the one form of CPD that can deliver most effectively all 5 criteria of the 2016 DfE Standard for Teachers’ Professional Development.

A 2015 review by the Teacher Development Trust concluded that “professional development opportunities that are carefully designed and have a strong focus on pupil outcomes have a significant impact on student achievement.” *

Whether you are new to coaching or have practised it for some time, this course takes a fresh look at coaching in schools. Novices will learn and practise the fundamental skills required to coach well, while experienced coaches will be able to improve and enhance their current practice.

This course is aimed at classroom teachers and school leaders from all educational settings.

The day is intended to be practical, interactive and flexible to meet delegates’ specific needs.

Session 1: The Principles of Coaching

• What coaching is, and what it isn’t
• Why coaching is a highly effective form of CPD
• Evidence of impact on professional development

Session 2: The Skills and Attributes of an Effective Coach

• Developing the key but deceptively simple skills of listening, questioning and offering feedback
• Have a go – practice session
• Conducting a personal skills audit – where are you now, how do you improve?
• Refining your coaching techniques – big do’s and don’ts; useful tools to help move people on

Session 3: Coaching Models and Structures

• Structuring a coaching conversation
• Different coaching models to suit different ends – pros and cons
• Developing a sustainable whole school programme
• Responsibilities and accountabilities
• Strategies to monitor and measure impact

Session 4: Pitfalls and solutions. Action planning

• Reasons why coaching may not always deliver – solutions
• Action planning – taking it all back to school

* Teacher Development Trust: “Developing Great Teaching: Lessons from the international reviews into effective professional development”, 2015

Presenter Profile

David Nicholls is an independent Consultant, with a wealth of experience as an AST, Subject Leader and MFL Consultant for a LA. He has a proven track record of supporting teachers and senior leaders across the South West, delivering well-received training on a range of topics, running networks and working in schools with individual departments and classroom teachers. He is Ofsted-trained and experienced in conducting lesson observations and giving feedback through coaching.

Feedback from teachers on David’s courses

A great day! Lots of information. It will be nice to have a follow-up session to feedback on what action has been taken back at school. I have gone home wanting to be coached and wanting to be a coach. The quality of the resources and handouts were excellent.
This course was very well-delivered and offered me a considerable number of areas to develop.
A really helpful training session. I am keen to try putting some of this into practice in my teaching.
Excellent speaker; engaging, well thought-through and focused activities.

Cost: £250 per delegate which includes lunch and resources; £299 for 2 teachers from the same school booking on this course

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