Coaching 4: ‘Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast’ (Peter Drucker)

Based on best international business practice, but rooted in education, this half-day course is for those wishing to develop a coaching approach to their work. It is suitable for those with a leadership role in schools, advisory services, local authorities, Multi-Academy Trusts or with an HR function in a related industry. Building on the introductory course offered earlier in the year, this session will consider the impact of coaching on individuals, the teams they lead and the outcomes that might be expected.

Rooted in experience and based on current research in education and business, the session will provide insight, practical demonstration and collaborative opportunity to experience and learn about coaching.

Who is delivering the training?

Tony Markowski and Éamonn Whelan will be leading the programme. Both enjoyed successful careers in education and now advise national and regional boards, MATs, LAs, Headteachers and their teams. They are accredited Executive Coaches, therapeutic counsellors and Senior Associates of the Association of Educational Advisers, on whose Development Board they sit.

What goes on in the sessions?

The model is a blend of formal presentation, question and answer sessions, case study review and supported practical activity. As well as a general introduction to the principles and characteristics of coaching, participants will be offered tools and strategies to support leaders and staff, at all levels.

What happens if I miss a session?

There will be opportunities to catch up between sessions. Information is available from the AoEA administration team.

In this session we will review learning from sessions1,2 and 3, and turn the spotlight on coaching systems that have worked in various business and education settings, that might serve as models of next practice. Some colleagues will be invited to feedback on their journeys in coaching in their schools. Others will be asked for their feedback in session 5.

We will consider the implications of Peter Drucker’s quote, above, and explore whether a coaching approach is practical and possible in an organisational setting.

Two participants will feedback on background reading designed to extend and enhance learning.

All sessions will be pragmatic, pacey and outcome focused, so that participants go away confident in a new set of practical skills they can apply between sessions. We will ask participants to keep diaries of ongoing practice that will feed into their case studies for Levels 4&5.