“I love being a coach, and a mentor especially in teaching. I love the fact that trainees arrive to school, or on various teaching programmes, full of enthusiasm, and passion to make a difference to our young people. There’s a spark that needs oxygen adding to, in order fuel a blazing burning desire that can drive them and their momentum…. and then they leave. Why is that? What is it that causes this spark that should have been ignited to just fizzle out?”

I now recognise the benefits of coaching and realise, particularly in my field, as an advisory specialist that it builds capacity in schools by allowing leaders to create their own strategy in schools. This also recognises the finite time I have with staff so they must have ownership.
But what of a specialist coach? Is it acceptable for example to have someone coaching a Head who had never been a Head? Coaching skills have taught me when to advise and when to ask questions.