What is Coaching?
  • Non-directive – the coachee leads the agenda – examples below on what it can be used for
  • Based on structured conversations – coaches are trained to ask right questions and to challenge appropriate to coachee to ensure life long learning
  • Short-term – linked to a specific goal or assignment
  • Builds self-awareness, reflection, and long-term learning
Examples of how coaching can be used in schools
  • Professional/leadership development (self awareness) – this can be general/individual or group development for example, there might be a need within a school for leaders to become better strategic thinkers, or there might be another need
  • Organisational change (restructure, bringing teams together)/supporting the induction of new leaders – self esteem, working relationships
  • Development of a coaching culture/strategic aims and objectives/coaching based people strategy linked to coaching – 1:1 processes, growth/coaching based appraisals/performance management, training
Benefits of Coaching
  • Long term self awareness and self management – learning for life and finding the answers yourself meaning increased accountability
  • Much more effective for professional / leadership development than classroom/standalone training – studies have shown that only 8-12% of attendees at training courses translate learning into action. By contrast studies have shown coaching significantly improved behavioural outcomes linked to resilience, efficiency. Transfer rates can be up to 90%.
  • Wellbeing – reported by most coachees that in busy, reactive environments, that the chance to talk and reflect is really valuable
  • Directly linked to the work context and live issues, but this learning continues in order to deal with future events (coachees will often start to “self coach” through a coaching assignment).
  • Safe space in which to be challenged and start to look from an external perspective – I will adjust my challenge according to the person
Contact us to find out more
Who delivers our Coaching?

Lesley is an experienced strategic HR and People leader with a proven track record in building high-impact teams, driving culture transformation, and delivering sustainable organisational growth. For the past 6 years, she has led a Multi Academy Trust’s HR and People team, creating a values-driven, fully integrated HR function.

Her expertise includes workforce planning, leadership development, employee engagement, TUPE processes, employment law, and performance management—underpinned by her legal background and a deep understanding of the complexities of multi-site, cross-LA operations. Lesley regularly advises senior leaders and Boards and chairs a local primary school governing body.

She has the ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive and Senior Level Coaching and Mentoring and is deeply committed to enabling leadership development through coaching. Lesley partners with clients to create the space for clarity, resilience and insight – offering reflective challenge that empowers professionals to act with confidence in evolving, often high-pressure environments.

Lesley’s coaching practice is shaped by her extensive operational leadership experience and a belief in human potential. Whether working with senior leaders navigating change, newly appointed heads establishing credibility, or organisations embedding coaching cultures, she brings presence, empathy and practical rigour to every session.

What our clients think:
Lead Practictioner within a large primary school

Coached on:

  • Career development – knowing skills and having a clear career path
  • Strategies to handle difficult conversations

“I felt really at ease to talk openly to Lesley. Our conversations really helped me to crystalise my thinking and I looked forward to our meetings. By the end of our sessions, I really had a plan in place for my future. When we looked at the start where I was with my goals, I rated myself really low, but by the end of the sessions, I was a ten out of ten!”

Executive Headteacher over 2 schools

Coached on:

  • Leading through change following a restructure process

“Lesley really listened without judgement, gave me time and helped me to see new perspectives. During our time, Lesley both supported and challenged me to help me to get to where I wanted to be.”

Head of Development (FTSE 15 Company)

Coached on:

  • Building confidence and self-belief to achieve at work

“Lesley is such a genuine person and allowed me to feel at ease straight away and get the most out of the sessions. She definitely stretched my way of thinking – I came up with solutions that I had never even thought about before.”

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