Coaching

Within PACE Academy Trust we have a number of staff trained in coaching. Coaching is a powerful tool that supports personal and professional growth.  It is completely confidential and personalised to the individual and their needs. ​

Our coaches are available to work with people across educational settings, both inside and outside of our trust,  and at different stages of the leadership journey.  Coaching sessions are offered as one-off sessions or as part of a package. If you would like to explore this possibility please get in touch.

Meet our Coaches

Zoe

Zoe Harris

“Success is all about growing yourself”

As a reflective practitioner with over 16 years of headship experience, I believe in the power of coaching and see that it forms an invaluable part of our journey as leaders, helping us to achieve the very best we can, both professionally and personally. Over the past few years, coaching has become an even more important leadership tool as we have had to navigate our way through the challenges of the pandemic and look towards the future.

I have substantial experience of working in schools that have high levels of deprivation and am passionate about inclusion and the rights of the child. My experience also includes executive headship, interim headship and consultancy support for behaviour, SEND and school improvement. I completed the NPQEL course in 2020 and found it incredibly valuable, helping me to reflect on my own skills and grow as a leader and as a coach. In September 2021 I began a new leadership journey as CEO for PACE Academy Trust and without doubt, coaching and the NPQEL course have helped me to achieve this goal.  Since 2020, I have coached a number of leaders through the NPQ programme and find the vastly different roles and responsibilities that we have as leaders fascinating.

Within each coaching session you will have a safe, confidential space to explore any challenges or issues that are playing on your mind, supporting you to find a way forward through sessions that offer integrity, challenge, objectivity and time to think.

Coaching sessions can take place virtually or face to face at a time and location that works for you.  Although based in Croydon, I am happy to travel in and around London, Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how coaching might support your leadership journey and look forward to hearing from you.  Please email zoe.harris@paceacademytrust.com  or contact 01737553255.

Click on the link below to see more information:

LLSE Profile - Executive Coaches

Zoe
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Ruth Mighalls

Senior Assistant Head - Chipstead Valley Primary School

I am an assistant head of a three form entry school and have been a qualified coach for many years. I have experience of coaching people from a range of job roles within the education setting but understand how powerful coaching can be for anyone.

Coaching is a highly personalised approach that gives you the tools to find your own solutions and empowers you to continue to do this in the future. It gives time to reflect on issues and be respectfully challenged, allowing you to think deeply, gain clarity and analyse your thoughts.

Within our busy lives, it is nearly impossible to find time to stop, think and reflect. Coaching gives the opportunity to talk and to be listened to in a non-judgemental, confidential space which can be an enriching experience. Although it can have many benefits to the coachee professionally, it can also improve well-being which filters into personal and work life.

For me, a vital part of coaching is building a positive relationship between myself and the person I am coaching. Mutual trust and respect is fundamental to successful coaching and something I pride myself on. I recommend face to face sessions away from your setting as it truly allows you the freedom to talk openly in a relaxed, confidential space, although if preferred, virtual sessions can also be available.

Ruth
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Pete Steward

Headteacher at New Valley Primary School

I have been a teacher for over 30 years and a school leader for nearly 20, but every day is still a learning day.  I love working with children and the adults who teach them, helping them all on their journeys to being the very best they can be.  And I am a passionate believer in the power of coaching to support those journeys.

The best teaching encourages children and young people to question and to think for themselves…and coaching is no different.  In my coaching sessions, I won’t give you the answers, but I will help you to find them.  And remember that the agenda in our coaching will belong to you.  Coaching will provide a safe environment in which to talk and think about the challenges and opportunities you face, professionally and personally.

Coaching sessions can take place virtually or face to face at a time and location that works for you. 

 

Pete
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Helen Green

Head of School at Keston Primary School

I have been a senior leader for over 20 years and I am committed to providing an inclusive education for all children. I am a reflective leader and I learn something new every day which is what makes our roles so exciting. I am an experienced coach and I am passionate about the contribution coaching can make to school improvement, staff development and to our own leadership development. I believe coaching helps us both personally and professionally to achieve all that we want and to be the best we can be. I have experience of coaching teachers and leaders within PACE and also from other schools.

My coaching sessions provide a safe and confidential place to discuss and explore any issues and challenges that you face, helping you to find the way forward.

Coaching sessions can take place virtually or face to face at a time and location that works for you. 

Testimonials

My coaching sessions with Helen gave me dedicated time which enabled me to discuss issues and explore ways forward. Through challenging questions balanced with empathy, I was able to explore my own feelings and points of view and hone in on these to make my goals specific. This enabled me to take more control of aspects of my work and as a result achieve more giving a sense of satisfaction instead of stress!

Jenni (Assistant Headteacher)

For me, being coached by Helen was a valuable exercise which gave me clarity and the opportunity to speak openly and honestly without judgement. The experience over several sessions enabled me to reflect and solve problems myself. Rather than just seeking advice, I became empowered to think deeply about the areas of development I wanted to work on. I appreciated the support my coach gave me, having someone listen and prompt me to find solutions and set myself goals and schedules. My coach was always on hand and remains a colleague who I can approach in confidence should the need arise. 

 Rebecca (Curriculum Director)

 

I found it very useful to sit down and vocalise what my goals were and plan on how I could get there. Coaching with Helen, helped me to gather my thoughts about what I wanted to achieve and how to go about it. Coaching gave me the confidence to give it a try. I think coaching is a very useful tool.

 Sally (Class Teacher)

Helen
Phyllis-Sternberg

Phyllis Sternberg

I have been in education for over 35 years. I have worked in schools mainly in Inner-London and Croydon. I have been a class teacher, had curriculum responsibilities and for the last 14 years have held leadership positions. One common element to my success in all of these roles, is reflection often aided by harsh questioning of oneself. From questioning how a lesson should have gone better to making leadership and management decisions and wondering how they could have gone better.  Self-reflection has always been at the core. 

I am passionate about people achieving the best that they can do. I get an absolute buzz when people are able to identify the real issue, overcome a challenge, move forward and achieve. I am always ambitious for them in this drive for success. I want to ensure that the fixed-mindset no longer becomes a hindrance and is removed.  I truly believe that this comes through coaching which involves skilful questioning and active listening enabling the coachee to go on a journey of problem solving where they find the answers for themselves. They are then empowered and motivated to do their best. 

There are many ways of facilitating change. Everybody knows the answers to every question or challenge you may have in your life even if those answers seem to be hidden, obscured or concealed. My skill is about knowing the right questions to ask and having the right tools and techniques to empower you to find those answers within yourself.

Coaching can take place virtually or face to face at a time or location that works for you.

Phyllis is the Headteacher at Beecholme primary school

Phyllis
Clare-Rackham

Clare Rackham

I have worked in education for 17 years within a wide range of management and leadership roles and within this time, have worked on the development and delivery of a range of educational leadership programmes. I have a passion for assisting individuals in removing barriers to their success, as well as that of their teams, so that they can step into their leadership roles with confidence, presence and influence.

As mother to two young children, I am well-versed in the art of balancing a demanding job and a busy home life, navigating the joy but also the pressures and responsibilities these entail. I enjoy supporting those in leadership roles to be the best they can be in all areas of their lives, without feeling they have to compromise on career or family.

I have experience coaching individuals both within and outside of the education sector, combining performance and career coaching with transformational and holistic coaching, carefully adapting to the unique needs of each coachee. Through careful reflection and achievable goals, time spent in coaching will help you to gain greater self-awareness and insight, enabling you to carefully overcome problems, identify solutions and moved forward in a positive and proactive way.

Coaching starts and ends with you. It is important that our confidential sessions take place at a time and in a location you feel comfortable with, either in person or virtually.

 

Clare is Headteacher at Chipstead Valley Primary School

 

Clare

Testimonials

"Coaching has given me a safe space, where, through Zoe’s careful questioning and challenge, I have been able to focus in on the real issues requiring attention at my school.  My coach, and the process more generally, has enabled me to identify areas of personal growth, develop self-belief and the confidence to make positive changes that will affect change. For me coaching has been invaluable."

Headteacher,  Sutton

Coaching has been of great benefit in defining goals to work on that are personal to me. The sessions have provided a safe place to talk through issues, the barriers to achieving my goals and also my successes. I have grown in confidence when having to face difficult conversations and it has helped me to gain perspective and improve my self-awareness and performance. Coaching has provided the tools to solve problems, helped me communicate more effectively and has supported me to see things from other people’s perspective.

Through probing and sometimes challenging questions, it has encouraged me to find my own answers and solutions, helping me to think more about my core values.

Coaching has made it possible for me to develop a greater understanding of myself and of others which has, in turn, helped to build stronger team relationships.

I whole heartedly support the value of coaching for professional development.  

Assistant Headteacher, Croydon

Ready to find out more?

Email us for an informal discussion!

 info@paceacademytrust.com