Process

After discovering Synergia at a school’s conference, and learning more about what they had to offer, Darryl introduced Synergia as a training provider to his school and personally completed his ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching qualification. This included six comprehensive training days where Darryl joined seven other students from diverse occupations.

After completing the training, plus coursework consisting of research, background reading and essays, Darryl was delighted to graduate from the course and share the learnings and working methods that he had studied with his team.

As part of the next stage, Darryl has introduced Clare to the Senior Leadership Team. She formally presented a proposal to the SLT, explaining the activities involved within the change programme which will ultimately lead to Radnor House creating a coaching culture.

Clare also detailed the benefits of introducing coaching and mentoring for pupils and staff, and Synergia has now been officially selected to deliver this project with the school.

Implementation

Synergia is now engaged regularly by Radnor House, visiting the school at least once per half term to deliver training sessions to staff and pupils. This will encourage full engagement with the coaching programme enabling a full roll out throughout the school.

Prior to commencing any training, Synergia conducted a readiness audit across the whole school staff. The aim of this was to understand the existing level of knowledge around how coaching and mentoring can be effectively used within an organisational setting.

Radnor has agreed a three-year plan to implement a coaching culture which includes:

• Two inset days per year where all staff are trained in coaching and mentoring skills.
• Members of the SLT will either complete the ILM Level 7 Qualification in Coaching and Mentoring or study a deep level training programme based on the qualification. This will ensure they all have an in-depth understanding about what it takes to implement a coaching culture thoroughly within their school and how their behaviours influence and shape everyone else’s experience of the new culture.
• Volunteers from within the teaching staff are pursing the Level 5 ILM qualifications in Coaching and Mentoring – this will be used to support the development of the coaching culture and enable them to formally coach other staff within the school.
• The third cohort of lower sixth pupils are currently pursuing their ILM Level 2 qualification in mentoring. This will enable them to develop stronger skills before taking on leadership roles within the school, as well as developing life and work skills.

Result

There is genuine interest in the adoption of coaching techniques across the school.

Darryl added: “We are halfway to where we need to be as a school which is fantastic’ and I feel confident that Radnor House has an exciting, coaching-led, future ahead.

“Synergia are very good, and I would be happy to recommend them to friends and colleagues. Clare is great to work with, engaging and knowledgeable. I have found the process really enjoyable and interesting.”

“Staff members are now actively listening to each other and are focused on passing these learnings on to senior pupils. The ultimate aim for the school is to become a coaching community, with a more effective culture that goes full circle, from Headteacher to staff, and from staff to pupils.”

To find a course for you or to speak to the team about the best approach for your school visit our courses page or call the team on 01785 711593.