Getting Started

Before introducing models or frameworks, get clear on the why. What do you want coaching to achieve in your setting? Is it about developing agency, deepening trust, improving retention, or enhancing learning? Anchor your strategy in shared values to build authentic buy-in.

Begin with a small team be it senior leaders, middle leaders, or early adopters, who are trained in foundational coaching skills. Focus on presence, listening, and questioning. This group will model the shift in culture and support others as the work grows. There are some great organisations out there offering coaching training specifically for schools. I've had the pleasure of working with Persyou but do some research and find the right provider for your setting.

Rather than bolt-on initiatives, integrate coaching principles into what already exists: CPD, staff reviews, tutor programmes, leadership development, or student voice activities. Even small tweaks, like ending meetings with reflective questions, can signal a cultural shift.

Encourage staff and students to develop reflective habits. Weekly journaling prompts, visual trackers, or guided questions can empower people to think more clearly and respond more intentionally without relying on external validation.

Coaching is as much about culture as it is about practice. Share stories of impact. Involve parents. Model coaching conversations in team meetings. Keep returning to the central message: This is about building a community where growth, not perfection, is the goal.