

Read All About It
A curated list of essential coaching reads that have shaped my thinking, informed my practice, and deepened my understanding of what it means to coach in education. Hover over each book to read my thoughts on it.
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Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your approach, these books offer rich insight into the theory, practice, and impact of coaching across contexts.

All Ways Coaching
by Nicholas McKie
I’ve had the privilege of working with Nicholas through Persyou as we’ve developed our coaching culture, and this book has been a trusted companion throughout that journey. All Ways Coaching is insightful, accessible, and refreshingly real, blending big-picture thinking with practical tools you can apply straight away. Drawing on Nicholas’s international experience and deep understanding of people, it offers a powerful case for why coaching isn’t just an intervention, but a way to lead, teach, and connect in today’s ever-changing world.
My thoughts...

The Coaching Manual
by Julie Starr
This is one of the most well-thumbed books on my shelf and for good reason. Julie Starr brings such clarity and calm authority to the core principles of coaching. Whether you're leading a team, working in education, or simply trying to have more purposeful conversations, The Coaching Manual offers practical tools grounded in emotional intelligence and ethical practice. It doesn’t just tell you what to do, it helps you understand why it matters. Every time I return to it, I find something new to reflect on. A foundational read for anyone serious about coaching well.
My thoughts

Mentoring in Schools
by Haili Hughes
Although designed with ECT mentoring in mind, this book actively facilitates a coaching approach in schools - one that’s grounded in trust, dialogue, and mutual growth. Haili Hughes blends research, lived experience, and practical wisdom to create a resource that feels both professional and deeply human. It encourages mentors to be reflective partners, not just instructional guides, making it a brilliant resource for anyone looking to build a more relational, coaching-informed culture in their school. It’s supportive, smart, and refreshingly honest.
My thoughts

The Impact Cycle
by Jim Knight
This is one of those books I return to again and again, especially when I need to ground big ideas in real, relational practice. Jim Knight’s Impact Cycle offers a structured yet flexible model for instructional coaching that places partnership, trust, and agency at its heart. What I love most is its clarity without oversimplification. Whether you're new to coaching or deep into the work, this book helps you stay focused on what matters: co-creating meaningful change, not just ticking boxes. It’s essential reading for anyone looking to support growth with others, not for them.
My thoughts

The Coaching Habit
by Michael Bungay Stanier
If you’re looking for a book that cuts through the noise and gets straight to the heart of great coaching conversations, this is it. The Coaching Habit is punchy, practical, and refreshingly human. Stanier offers seven deceptively simple questions that help shift us from advice-giving to curiosity, something that’s transformed the way I approach both coaching and leadership. It’s a brilliant starting point for anyone wanting to bring more presence, purpose, and pause into everyday interactions. Quick to read, hard to forget, and endlessly useful.
My thoughts

Neurodiversity Coaching
by Nancy Doyle & Almuth McDowall
This is an essential read for anyone serious about inclusive coaching. Grounded in coaching psychology, this book offers a strengths-based, affirming approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals without falling into deficit thinking. While it's rooted in occupational psychology, its insights translate powerfully to education, especially for schools looking to embed coaching that recognises and celebrates diverse cognitive profiles. Thoughtful, evidence-led, and long overdue.
My thoughts
Teaching Walkthrus
by Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli

This series is a masterclass in clarity. Teaching WalkThrus breaks down evidence-informed teaching practices into beautifully designed, easy-to-follow steps, perfect for busy educators and coaching conversations alike. What I love is how it supports a shared language across teams, making coaching more concrete without becoming prescriptive. It’s practical, intelligent, and deeply respectful of the complexity of teaching.