Forest of Dean Coaching Network
What is Coaching?
"Coaching empowers school staff by enhancing reflective practice, communication and leadership skills. It supports professional growth, boosts confidence, and improves collaboration. Through personalised development, staff become more effective, resilient and motivated, ultimately benefiting our students.
Coaching fosters a positive school and trust wide culture, driving continuous improvement and supporting well-being across the whole team.
Our coaching network is there to ensure you are supported to meet your potential and enjoy the process."
Steve Brady - Forest of Dean Trust CEO
Coaching is a collaborative, solutions-focused and non-directive approach that empowers individuals. It provides supportive challenge to aid improvement. It helps Trust staff to focus on solutions instead of the issues, using conversations and questioning to better understand what is going on and how to take action to improve.
The Benefits of Coaching
- Enhanced wellbeing
- Staff motivation
- Solution focused not barrier focused
- Improved T&L
- Improved culture
- Improved staff relationships through collaboration
- Deeper learning
- Reflective practitioners
- Increased confidence and clarity
Forest of Dean Coaching Network
Scott Albon - Dene Magna School
L5 Institute of Leadership & Management Certificate in Effective Coaching
Rachel Thomas - Dene Magna School
L5 Institute of Leadership & Management Certificate in Effective Coaching
Claire Tuffley - Drybrook School
L5 Institute of Leadership & Management Certificate in Effective Coaching
Jemma Woskett - Forest View School
L5 Institute of Leadership & Management Certificate in Effective Coaching
What does this mean for me?
There will be three coaching support windows across the year (Term 1&2, 3&4, 5&6). The four coaches mentioned above can provide in-depth support for 24 members of staff across the Trust each year (each coach can support two members of staff in each window). Any coach can work in any school across the Trust. Each window allows for 10 weeks of coaching support from one of our qualified coaches. Coaching sessions can either be face to face or online. Places are limited until we grow our qualified coaching team, so please follow the steps below to express an interest in being coached.
This process follows the European Mentoring and Coaching Council's Code of Ethics and information discussed remains confidential.
Please note that this process is open to ALL STAFF IN ALL ROLES.
How can I gain coaching support?
Referrals can be made via the form below or by emailing Scott Albon to submit an application based on:
- Wellbeing
- Teaching & Learning
- Performance
- Another area of your choice
Referrals can be made at any time of the year, but for the first coaching window you will need to apply by Monday 8th September 2025.