Overview
As part of the Hackney leadership offer we are delighted to offer free Headteacher coaching to all Hackney headteachers: primary, secondary and special schools.
Our Headteacher coaches offer a range of headship experience and expertise, and are trained and qualified through OLEVI: a leading national and international coaching community.
What is coaching?
Coaching is a confidential, non-judgemental professional dialogue focused on reflection, challenge and growth. It is not mentoring or performance management. The agenda is always led by the person receiving the coaching.
All coaching conversations are confidential between coach and coachee. No information is shared with the Local Authority or other colleagues unless explicitly agreed at the session.
Programme overview
- Duration: Typically the programme is for six sessions across the academic year
- Format: 1:1 coaching that will take place in person. In some circumstances the coaching may be available online
- Cost: Free to all Hackney Headteachers
- Flexibility: Session timing agreed between coach and coachee
Application and enquiries
To express interest or find out more, please contact Rachel Thompson, Leadership and Management Adviser on rachel.thompson@hackney.gov.uk
Following your application Rachel will discuss with you the available coaches and will match you with a trained coach based on your preferences, context and areas of focus. There will be an opportunity to meet your coach and agree on the programme before the coaching sessions start.
Benefits of coaching
Headteachers who undertook the coaching programme last year highlighted the following benefits:
- Improved confidence in leadership abilities and decision making processes
- Positive impact on the organisational culture of the school
- Support for the Headteacher’s own professional goals
- Supporting headteachers to successfully manage difficult conversations
- Applying the principles of coaching within their own schools
As part of this programme all Headteacher coaches also undertake their own coaching with peers.
Watch this short film made by our coaches on the benefits of coaching and being a coach.
The Hackney coaching model
Hackney is committed to developing the culture of coaching. In partnership with OLEVI we continue to train new coaches. Alongside the offer to all headteachers, a peer coach will also be provided in the following circumstances:
- Headteachers new to the borough
- Aspiring Headteachers as part of the Hackney leadership offer
For more information on receiving coaching or training to be a Hackney OLEVI coach please contact Rachel Thompson on rachel.thompson@hackney.gov.uk
What previous participants think about the coaching
"If you have ever wondered whether or not coaching might or might not be good for you, then I think it probably would be. I think it is a safe space that everybody deserves. To have time to think and grow and ultimately thrive….it’s something that has really transformed my working life."
Sandra Brierley, Headteacher St Scholatica’s Primary School
"Coaching is a collaborative, goal orientated process that is driven by the questions of the coach but the content of the coachee. It is future driven, it's non-judgemental, it’s supportive and designed to be empowering."
Robin Warren, Executive Headteacher Blossom Federation
"It has helped make me a better leader. It is energising and productive, It can help unblock difficult situations that seem intractable. It gives you clear next steps but also empowers you and gives you a renewed enthusiasm about working on some of those really tricky issues."
Josh Cardale, Jubilee Primary School
Contacts
Rachel Thompson, Leadership and Management Adviser
Meet the team
Find out more about the team providing this service