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Coaching in Schools

Coaching in Schools

Mark has been a school principal for 30 years. He brings this wealth of personal and professional experience to the concept of developing the Coaching School.

A significant amount of literature is being written on effective professional development in schools. It is now recognised that the one off, event based professional development program, has little or no chance of bringing about behavioural change. Coaching has many benefits, one of which is the bringing about of change in habits. The program below acknowledges this by providing a comprehensive process which informs, brings about understanding, and includes practice and feedback, and the experience, of coaching.

Ongoing commitment is given to support the organisation after the delivery of the program. This means that the consultant can be contacted by any participant of the full program, by phone or email to request feedback or support as the coaching program is implemented.

The development of a coaching organisation is best achieved through:

  • The delivery of the “Nature of Coaching” along with;
  • The delivery of the three sessions on “Skills Training in Coaching”
  • The provision of a “The Coaching Experience” series (four optional coaching sessions).

 

However each program can stand alone depending on the needs.

The Nature of Coaching

This program provides members of the organisation and its leaders with an understanding of what coaching is and how it can be implemented. It will contain modelled coaching sessions with volunteers as part of the learning experience. It covers the following:

  • The Nature of Coaching
  • Its comparison with training, mentoring, consultancies and counselling
  • How coaching is different to other forms of Professional Development?
  • The links between Coaching and research based definition of effective professional development (McRel)
  • Current Research on Coaching
  • Basic skill requirements of a good coach
  • How coaching works
  • Questioning skills
  • The process of Coaching

Time allocations for this program

  • This program takes one session of three hours.

Number of Participants

  • This program can be delivered to a large group. However, please note the “Skills Trainings in Coaching” program can be delivered to 10 participants at a time.

Skills Training in Coaching

This program develops within participants the skills which form the basis of a coaching conversation. The program provides instruction on the skills, time for practice and the provision of feedback on the attainment of these skills. The following skills/knowledge are incorporated into this package:

  • Describing Coaching and its role in the organisation
  • Being present in a coaching conversation including being aware of the positional locations in which we place ourselves during coaching conversations; ie managing self.
  • The use of strategic planning in the CREATE Model (Results Coaching) – Moving the client from self awareness to goal attainment; ie the structure of coaching.
  • Placement
  • Coaching conversations – being succinct and specific and incorporating acknowledgment.
  • Generating understanding and creating awareness
  • The focus of coaching conversations. Keeping the focus on vision and planning
  • The managing the coaching process
  • Effective listening – listening with an edge
  • Qualities of a good goal and good actions
  • Questioning skills.

Time allocations for this program

  • This program takes three sessions of two hours each with 10 participants. Participants are asked to practise skills between the sessions.

Number of Participants

  • A maximum of 10 participants – This allows for intensive modelling, practice and feedback to each participant.

The Coaching Experience (Additional Option)

This program offers one on one coaching on a career and/or professional goal. The linking of this program to the others helps participants understand and ‘feel’ coaching. It is proven to contribute significantly to a participant’s capacity to internalise and ultimately use coaching skills.

Time Allocations for this Program

  • Each participant will receive four coaching session on a goal. The first session will be face to face and will take up to 45 minutes, with the following three session conducted by telephone. These sessions will take from 30 to 45 minutes. They can be done from the home as long as there is a suitably quiet environment.

Number of Participants

  • A maximum of 10 participants

Personal Coaching

  • Individual coaching is available for leaders
  • Goals established during these sessions focus on achieving improved outcomes for the organisation
  • Goals set are stretch goals which are measurable, appropriate and focussed on the primary roles and responsibilities of the leader.