Coaching and Mentoring

At the Valley Invicta Teacher Training (VITT) we have the desired outcome to work effectively together. We aim to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that sets out to realise potential for individuals, their teams and the wider organisation of our Valley Invicta Academies Trust.

Our colleagues will thrive in the knowledge that we exude a passion for well-being and care whilst focussing on career progression, coaching and mentoring and leadership and management training. We want to harness the interests and skills of our colleagues in a way that is positive to our wider community. We believe that the impact that can be gained, goes beyond mere outcomes.

We are privileged to be working with professional coaches who have created two projects in support of our ideals. The over-arching aim of these interventions is to create a Safe, deeply inclusive and co-learning space where individuals and groups/teams can clarify their purpose (why we are here?). Where they can assess what is going well and what might make it even better. This aligns with our approach to CPD and well-being for all. It also allows everyone to influence the development of the Trust and its aims.

We are also keen to connect with the impact on Students – as we develop further the ‘coach-like’ behaviour of our students. An active student coach training and coaching programme is underway and we are already seeing the potential benefits of this work.

For all staff, at any point in their career, who wish to develop the skill of Coaching

• Context - Career and personal development for staff who wish to participate under the Educator as Coach programme. This will see participants reflecting on their own progression and development and establishing pathways to their desired outcomes. This will include consideration on motivation for self and others with whom they collaborate in the context of their school and the Trust.
• Approach -  staff will have the opportunity to participate in The Trust’s Educator as coach programme for 2021/22. This will offer 1:1 coaching support leading to an Action Learning Set who will ideally influence the performance of the school/where they are placed and its objectives.

Feedback from this years current cohort of coachees:

“I found the first session very helpful. Emma was very calm and patient with supporting me to be reflective. She also highlighted both potential areas at school and at home to explore, which helped identify a holistic view of areas of my professional life that needed coaching.” 

“It felt very similar to what I have been through and been trained in myself, which was good. The coach seemed very approachable and genuine. What we discussed and went through helped me remember what I had done previously, which was a benefit and her words at the end really helped me with some confidence and trust issues I have regarding what I went through over the last 4 years.” 

“I did find it very useful. I thought Krista was very approachable and personable – easy to discuss things with. She challenged me to think about things in a different way and gave me targets to work towards for the next time we meet – which I find very useful as my motivator is achievement!” 

“I found it really useful and interesting. She was very friendly and got you to open up pretty quickly. She was very good at guiding you towards and solution yourself and then getting you to think about other options and how you could approach things.” 

We have had really good feedback about Trevor.

He clearly used a variety of strategies with different staff according to needs and this demonstrates his skill set and ability to offer a rich package of support. Very good so far.

She made me feel at ease with the process and clearly set out what the purpose was. I found the session useful and as a reflection process was quite enlightening. I am looking forward to meeting with Emma again soon. 

I really liked Sarah. I thought she was very friendly and open about how the sessions would work and what she could and couldn’t do.

I really loved my first coaching session – she made me reflect on ways I felt about myself and how this made me feel about my leadership. She gave me lots of pointers and tips and I came away from the session feeling really positive.

It was like a real epiphany moment!

I think she’s going to be really helpful to me with what I wanted to achieve as my coaching goal.

I find the coaching sessions helpful and thought provoking. I think that the sessions are a great idea and the last coach I had was very welcoming and easy to talk with.