Personal Change in Teaching and Learning:

Making it Happen

Joanne Miles(J Miles Consulting)

AOC, London (29/01/13)

Personally, I think Supported Experiments is the best, most productive and inspirational approach to CPD. Definitely involves thinking outside the box and referring to the bigger picture (Teacher, EHWLC)

A breath of fresh air, being able to share best practice and ideas with peers who work with your students, understand them, and have empathy (Teacher, New College Durham)

Team members are learning from each other, trying things out which are working for others… many are using technology in ways they may not have done so

(Division Manager, EHWLC)

Session Outline

• What is Solution Focused Coaching and how does it fit into T&L initiatives such as Supported Experiments?

• What are the benefits of using these approaches?

• What are the wider applications of coaching?

What is Solution Focused Coaching?

“It is an interactive and developmental process

where the coach enables coachees to find their

own solutions, discover new opportunities, and

implement actions. Coaches act as facilitators.

Coaches listen, ask questions and enable

coachees to discover for themselves what is

right for them.” Rosinski, 2003

What role can coaches play in T&L initiatives?

• Using questions to prompt reflection

• Holding back on advice and encouraging the

other person to take ownership

• Focused on finding next steps for action

• Can happen in a 5 minute corridor chat or a

60 minute sit down session or anything in

between!

Building your coaching network

• Role description and selection process

• 2 days SFC training for a group = £3k +VAT

• Remission/overtime for hours OR

• An incentive payment, a dinner, some vouchers

• Network meetings each term and supervision

Outcomes

Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College, 2008-9• 9% improvement in grade 1 and 2 observations• Number of grade 4 observations halved• 29% staff reported improvements in test/exam results• 10% increase in staff satisfaction with development

John Ruskin College, Croydon, 2011• Grade 1&2 observations improved – 64% before and 80% afterwards• Before Supported Experiments:

The overall quality of lessons has improved, although a significant minority of lessons do not meet the needs of all students. (Ofsted 2011)

• After Supported Experiments:Teaching and learning are good and inspectors observed examples of outstanding practice. (Ofsted 2011)

Voices from the sector

Sharing of practice via scheduled meetings with the group of coaches involved was key to the success of the project. Teachers indicated they valued the project and particularly the time to talk about teaching and learning. Janet WalkerQuality and Learning Improvement ManagerWakefield College

Voices from the sector

The Advanced Practitioners feel that they now have a real role to play in improving teaching and learning as a result of the Supported Experiments and staff mentoring is now much more focused. Lynda HammondLead Advanced PractitionerHenley College, Coventry

Voices from the sector

Selecting coaches from within curriculum teams was an opportunity to provide a curriculum link with a colleague, to reinvigorate individuals and reinforce empowerment at staff level. This resulted in more T&L conversations.

Alison Deighton (T&L Co-ordinator) & Jon Ridley (Head of 6th Form and Educational

Development), New College Durham

Wider applications of coaching in the sector

• Support new staff• Support teachers after grade 3&4

observations• Developmental observations• Bite-sized CPD slots; Staff Dev day role• Teaching and Learning Clinics• Coaching clinics for teams & 1:1s

Tips from the sector

• Clear role description for coaches; resourcing • Need some coaches who are not managers• Coach reports to someone in Staff Development

or Quality (not their manager)• Get baseline measures; identify ways to

evaluate impact and capture feedback• Publicise, engage, communicate, publicise,

engage, review….through many channels

Additional Support/Information

Contact Joanne Miles:Email: jmilesconsulting@gmail.comPhone: 07811 378 398Blog: http://joannemilesconsulting.wordpress.com/

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