30 March 2022
At the beginning of the year, over 30 students from across the town took part in the OX14 Learning Partnership Academic Coaching programme. The training sessions, which were run for a total of eight weeks, introduced students to the ‘GROW’ coaching model – a simple method for setting goals and problem solving – which enabled effective coaching conversations to progress towards clear actions and outcomes.
With the aim of getting staff and students from across the town to collaborate, build relationships and stronger self-awareness, the programme has led to older students coaching each other, as well as to younger students on a personal goal. Around fifteen younger students in Year 8 and above joined the coaches for four sessions where they worked on topics including procrastination, keeping calm in exams and working to tight deadlines. Offering this support to each other, as well as younger students from other school settings, helped the coaches develop teamwork, communication and listening skills.
Jessica Burns, co-ordinator at the OX14 Learning Partnership, says: “Coaching is a valuable and important tool in today’s society. Not only does it help to unlock an individual’s potential, but it also maximises performance through the coach / coachee dialogue.
