Reviews
“The system of coaching promoted by IC chimes with the values of all true educators. It teaches clients and coaches to become autonomous, emotionally intelligent and self-determining. Coaches are encouraged to invite clients to reflect on what it is they are challenged by. Through precise questioning, coaches then enable clients to slow their thinking down, get deep beneath the surface and explore the issue from all sides. They then encourage clients to think about the future and how it could be. Finally the client is asked to build specific, practical and concrete steps for action. The whole IC system is underpinned by academic research and has been carefully evaluated and refined to the point whereby clients and coaches end up feeling clear and confident about next steps. The IC system has informed my practice for many years; barely a day goes by when I don’t use some of the strategies that I learned through developing my leadership coaching skills. If you are interested in enabling those you work with to feel empowered and inspired then I recommend IC to you without reservation.”
Matthew Milburn, former Executive Head Teacher, Saddleworth School, Oldham and National Leader of Education (NLE)
“I have had the privilege of working with Paul since 2010. Prior to meeting Paul I had already been persuaded of the benefits of coaching and had completed the extensive Executive Level 7 course validated by ILM. However, I wasn’t satisfied with the practical applications to a school-based culture. I was Head Teacher of a large primary school at the time. Meeting and working with Paul was the catalyst that transformed my learning and application of coaching to professional life. He is a deeply thoughtful, intelligent and wise individual who has a consistent passion for structuring individual, group and team approaches to coaching, which encourages participants to challenge their learning and assumptions. One of his strongest qualities is his ability to listen deeply and respond appropriately to an emerging situation, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills with effective communication. Having completed all of the progressive course levels Paul offers, as well as receiving extensive positive feedback from members of my school team who have accessed Paul’s training, I can highly recommend him to any organisation seeking to develop individuals and coaching cultures.”
Mike Jones, Executive Coach and former Head Teacher, South Failsworth Primary, Oldham
“There are many coaching models out there, ones you can read about, others that you can do online and many delivered by various organisations as face to face days. What made the Independent Coaching course stand out was the very clear way that the course was set out with the chance to progress through three different levels and that the course was being led by a known expert in his field – Dr Paul Simmons. This gave me the confidence to sign up for the Phase 1 programme as I needed a complete reboot in terms of what I thought I knew about coaching and critically, how to use it effectively in the workplace.
As a serving head teacher I was apprehensive on my first day as I wasn’t sure if I had pitched too low and if that was the case who I would be attending the course with. However, my worries were needless. Paul immediately put everyone at their ease and had us up and running with his coaching model in no time. A word of warning at this stage – if you want to hide behind a textbook or a lecture all day this is not going to be the course for you! You are expected to coach, be coached to, and observe throughout the sessions and this is essential in translating the theory into practice.
What became apparent very quickly was that the coaching techniques being taught were not just applicable to face to face individual performance improvement but could be utilised as tools to improve meetings, inform development planning and help to solve stubborn problems by working through them in a more systematic way. It was at that point that I decided I would carry on with the Phase 2 course. That enabled me to refine my coaching skills further and also gave me the confidence to develop my own coaching style by shattering a few myths I had developed about coaching. It was also useful in terms of brokerage and contracting, clearly setting out a professional relationship between the coach and client whether that is brokered by an individual or by an organization on behalf of an individual. I have signed up for the Phase 3 course and look forward to seeing how this can help to improve our performance still further.“
Paul Cowley, Head Teacher, Bishop Rawstorne C of E Academy, Lancashire
“I have been working with Paul Simmons for several years now. His coaching programme has not only helped me to become a better leader but also helped to transform the culture of the schools to that of inclusion, collaboration and challenge. A ‘coaching culture’ has permeated throughout the schools. The impact of this has been a significant improvement in the quality of talk both amongst staff and between staff and children. Coaching has supported our drive to reduce ‘teacher talk’ in the classroom enabling staff to listen very carefully to each other and more importantly, to the children. The quality and clarity of questioning has also improved. As more teachers have gone through Paul’s programme, deeper thinking has developed as a result of a greater clarity in questioning and feeling safe to challenge decision making. As a result, problem solving has become everyone’s solution. Such has been the impact of Paul’s work, that a wider cluster of schools in our part of Salford have chosen to work with him.”
Wendy McCormack, Executive Head Teacher, Christ Church CE; Lewis Street & Lark Hill Primary Schools, Salford
“The Independent Coaching (IC) model develops coaching skills through a small skills group of peers comprising coach, client and observer. The learning is intense and the quality is high. The coaching model itself is unique in its use of a visual expression (picture) of a client’s reality and their ideal. This model is highly effective in helping the client to think really deeply when articulating their reality and where they want to be, their ideal. Equally, it allows the coach and client to focus on the picture drawn and ask questions and open up answers that lead to a full understanding of the issues being faced. This is not superficial, it is very deep. You get beneath the surface; learn more about values and motivation. It’s very personal. What that leads to is a much higher quality discussion between coach and client leading to sound decisions and actions producing lasting change.
Middle leaders and senior leaders from Bedford have been trained in using this coaching model to improve teaching within departments and bring about whole school improvement.”
Helen Phillips, Head Teacher, Bedford High School, Wigan
“I met Paul in 2018 when I was leading a SSIF project in Wigan which involved coaching. Paul provided 6 days of training to 24 coaches from the 12 schools involved. I took part in the training and have subsequently participated in further events. The training was for Level 1 and Level 2 of the Leadership Coaching Skills Programme and it took place over a period of 3 months.
The training was immensely beneficial and because it gave such a powerful experience for those involved it had a pivotal influence on the success of the Project. Without it, it is doubtful that the Project would have had the impact it did. After training, 79% of teachers evaluated the Project as excellent and 21% as good. There were so many positive comments made and these include:
“I just think it is the most powerful CPD I have participated in during my career. I can see it being used in future years to drive projects.”
“There has been such a lot! The whole coaching programme has the potential to make such an impact; the models of coaching and different theories have been very useful as they have provided a visual link to the ideas.”
Paul has a wonderful way of integrating theory and practice so that participants develop a deep grasp of the important concepts, which underpin effective coaching. He does it with a very light touch, modelling practice through his approach and involving everyone in such a way that he builds confidence and trust. As a result participants feel secure in expressing their views and ideas freely and openly. The three circle model that he has developed over time is very powerful because it is simple to learn and apply, and yet it has great depth. Paul is, in my experience, amongst the very best in the field.”
Juliet Strang, DfE Strategic School Improvement Project (SSIP) Lead, Wigan
“I found the Independent Coaching course an extremely positive, experience, not only in helping me to identify, frame and clarify key personal development objectives but also offering practical tools, techniques and suggestions to achieve them.
As a result of the course, I have developed a better understanding of my impact on organisations. I now have a wider perspective about what is affecting the organisation and what might motivate people in other areas of the business. This holistic approach has helped me to engage more directly and build more constructive relationships.
Dr Simmons’ flexible and objective approach, with the right balance of support and challenge, enabled me to see a clearer path both in solving leadership issues and achieving my personal goals. I believe that the techniques and approaches practised and developed will enable me to continue to evolve.
This was one of the most stimulating and rewarding courses I have ever undertaken. Its impact has been immeasurable.”
Avril V Palmer-Fye, Managing Director, Magis Supplies Ltd, Manchester and Executive Coach
“At the Alliance for Learning we have been working in partnership with Paul since we became a teaching school. Many of our leaders in the trust have gone through the three-tiered coaching programme, which has helped us embed a culture of coaching. One of our senior leaders said:
“Paul’s coaching course has been instrumental in developing my skills as a school leader. I attended the level 1 coaching course, Foundation Coaching, when I was head of department and I used many of the skills to develop the young teachers in my department. I also found it useful in thinking through and reflecting on problems for myself. As a senior leader, I was fortunate enough to attend the level 2 course: Coaching in Context. This has given me further confidence in my coaching of staff across a variety of departments and roles across the school. I use some coaching strategies in a variety of conversations: as a line manager, a professional mentor to trainees and NQTs. I feel I use it most powerfully, however, when staff have asked explicitly to be coached and we have then made time to work through a particular issue. Staff have been very positive in their feedback, finding it incredibly empowering. Having been coached myself, I would also reiterate that.”
At our teaching school and trust we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be coached, coaching can really help drive forward school and staff welfare improvements. Paul is an excellent coach and excellent presenter, I cannot recommend his training highly enough, it really is transformative!”
Lisa Fathers, Director of Teaching School and Partnerships, The Alliance for Learning, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Manchester
“I started working with Paul as a new head teacher and can honestly say that I was able to thrive and not just survive! I continue to develop my own leadership and coaching skills with Paul and have also received fantastic 1:1 coaching. We use IC’s framework and courses to train staff as we continue to develop a coaching culture across our two schools; Paul’s input and support continues to be invaluable and as a school leader I wouldn’t be without a coach. My ability to lead, develop and support others as well as my own positivity and wellbeing owes a lot to the work done with Paul.”
John Taylor, Executive Principal, Roundthorn and Coppice Primary Academies, Oldham
“IC has supported my whole leadership team to fully embed coaching across our academy. Paul’s approach and delivery of the training sessions really focuses the learning. It challenges your thinking but you leave feeling well prepared to start your coaching journey!The networks you build within the sessions are also valuable and strengthen the experience further.”
Kyrstie Stubbs, MSc NPQH, BA.Hons, PGCE, Principal, Boothroyd Primary, Dewsbury
“I was intending to e-mail you just to thank you as I can't tell you how much I have had to draw on my leadership coaching skills and knowledge over the last few months [Covid-19] - never before has everyone's reality differed so greatly!”
Rachael Swaby, Head Teacher, Friezland Primary, Oldham
“Independent Coaching has been instrumental in embedding a coaching culture within my school.
As a Head Teacher I found the training invaluable for myself in supporting me to get the best out of people, and in helping me move from a top down leadership style towards a more collaborative model where staff felt empowered to solve their own problems and come up with their own solutions.
I have used Independent Coaching each time I have recruited a new senior leader - by sending others on the coaching training, I have ensured that this approach has been spread throughout school and we have a consistent approach to staff management.
Paul also came and gave an overview of coaching to my whole team, which really helped the wider school community to understand how coaching as a strategy could improve their working lives and give them more autonomy. The levels of staff creativity and innovation have significantly increased since we started using coaching at Delamere.”
Sally Burston, Head Teacher, Delamere School, Manchester and Local Leader of Education (LLE)