Coaching for student success in higher education with Anglia Ruskin University
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A long-term partnership
BTS Spark has partnered with the renowned University College London Institute of Education since 2016 to support senior education leaders participating in national leadership programmes. We have provided 1:1 executive coaching for participants on the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leaders (NPQEL), funded by the UK government. This programme equips experienced leaders to progress from leadership of a single school to lead across a group of schools, typically a Multi-Academy Trust.
Several hundred leaders have benefited from a flexible 1:1 coaching programme with common themes including building personal resourcefulness, confidence, presence and authenticity, empowering and inspiring others, building shared purpose, navigating conflict, leading change and growing personal influence.
Our impact
- 2/3 of participants reported significant change as a result of their coaching, with a further 1/3 reporting some change
- 82% of participants reported that their expectations of the programme had been exceeded
- 9.7/10 average rating from participants for the value of their coaching sessions and overall programme value
All data from 2021–24 programme cohorts (83 respondents)
"My coach's insight, listening and intellectual connection and sophistication about the intricacies of systemic leadership against human leadership was something I could not have been successful on the NPQEL without. And indeed in my role. Incredible."
Mark Grady, Headteacher, Rugby High School
"My coaching has allowed me to deeply reflect on my 20-year career thus far like never before. It has been a real support for me 'here and now' as I navigate through somewhat of a challenging leadership challenge linked to my role – and has allowed me to successfully come through this."
Peter Taylor, Principal, Audenshaw Secondary School
The need
Villiers High School in west London wanted to strengthen the leadership skills and impact of its middle leaders – the heads of department and pastoral leaders who shape teaching standards and staff culture day to day. Recognising that development needs would differ across the cohort, they sought a differentiated programme that combined core capability building with more bespoke development for smaller groups.
Our solution
Over the 2025-26 academic year we delivered a customised leadership development programme for 27 middle leaders, beginning and ending with full-day experiential workshops for the full group. In between, we delivered 90-minute small group coaching sessions tailored to the needs and priorities of three separate sub-groups, identified through an initial leadership diagnostic. Capabilities developed included personal resourcefulness, engaging others, empowering your team, leading in uncertainty, championing feedback, decision-making and navigating conflict.
Our impact
- 90% of participants reported gaining new insights and tools that will help them in their leadership role
- 100% of participants agreed that the ideas covered were relevant to their roles and intend to apply the learning
- 95% of participants were satisfied and found the sessions valuable
"The programme has enabled me to be a more balanced and effective middle manager. To be able to work with staff to get the best out of them and make them feel positive and empowered."
"I think it has already improved the culture of the team. I have refocused my purpose and vision to be one centred on nurturing people because that is actually the most effective way to lead a big team as MLT. Micromanaging doesn't work."
"I will be able to drive changes in school with more buy-in, power and persuasion."
How we helped
- Summer 2025 – Workshop One (full day) – Personal Leadership
- Autumn 2025 – 2 x Group Coaching Sessions
- Spring 2026 – Group Coaching Session
- Summer 2026 – Group Coaching Session
- Summer 2026 – Workshop Two (full day) – Sustaining the impact
The need
Shires Multi-Academy Trust wanted to embed a strong coaching culture across its schools, with everyday coaching conversations helping to empower and develop staff at every level. As a first step, the trust wanted to develop a cadre of lead coaches to model the coaching approach and cascade key tools and skills to the wider staff teams. Following the successful programme for this first group, it was repeated for a second group of lead coaches.
Our solution
We delivered our Leader as Coach programme for two successive cohorts of leaders drawn from across the trust's schools and central staff. Practical workshops, small group coaching sessions and active experimentation between sessions built participants' core skills such as active listening, powerful questioning, flexing their approach and giving feedback. 1:1 coaching sessions provided additional personal support.
Our impact
- 96% of participants agreed that the programme insights and tools were helping them to achieve greater impact in their leadership
- 100% of participants reported feeling confident and well-equipped to coach and develop others
- 100% of participants said Leader as Coach was a relevant and impactful professional development programme
“It has been transformational for my team and my leadership.”
Rebecca Gordon, Headteacher
“Every aspect has been useful as I was totally new to coaching. However my big takeaway is not jumping in with solutions. I now realise I haven't been listening properly or allowing others to come to their own conclusions, leaving ‘solutions’ less powerful when enacted.”
Jeanette Little, Headteacher
“It has enabled me to have more powerful conversations with staff. I have used the tools to ensure I am actively listening and not listening to respond. I now feel confident in helping my team to reflect using the GPS model.”
Rachael McKinney, Head of Humanities
How we helped
- In-person workshop (2½ hours) – Coaching introduction
- Group Coaching Session (2 hours, virtual) – Coaching presence
- Group Coaching Session (2 hours, virtual) – Coaching skills
- Group Coaching Session (2 hours, virtual) – Flexing your style
- Group Coaching Session (2 hours, virtual) – The feedback conversation
- In-person workshop (2½ hours) – Sustaining momentum
- Plus personal support throughout: 3 x 60-minute 1:1 coaching sessions