Coaching for the Pastoral Team
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Coaching and the pastoral process has a symbiosis that should not be ignored. Coaching is about allowing individuals to find solutions, reflect on their own behaviours and have resilience when faced with difficulties. Delivering the pastoral system requires a range of skills that will nurture learners and allow them to grow and progress throughout their education.
Learning how to coach is a gift that creates a culture where individuals know their limits and are challenged to take responsibility. It is the opposite to telling individuals what is best for them, instead it is a collaborative process that leads to independence of spirit and fosters high levels or self-belief.
Stepping into the harsh reality of returning to education in the classroom will be a difficult process for many. The routines, the spaces and the management of learning is different in the home environment. Even for those who have remained in school things will change as class sizes grow. There will be a wide range of different experiences that learners have faced and their ability to cope will vary as a result of many different factors. It will be for the pastoral team to work together in synergy to ensure all learners thrive, return to learning in the classroom as easily as possible and begin to find their equilibrium.
Learning how to coach will enhance the skills of pastoral leaders and tutors. They will become more intuitive, challenge limiting beliefs, use deep questioning to raise self-esteem and probe for clarity and understanding. Coaching is non-judgemental; a coach is a critical friend who will not disapprove, disagree or impose. A coach is there to listen deeply, to offer clarity and to give reassurance for anyone struggling with their own confusing reality.
In this course we look at how pastoral leaders can create highly effective teams that will support both their learners and their colleagues. We show how the development of a coaching culture will bring strength to the team and provide the model for ensuring there is a professional dialogue that fosters the celebration of good practice and where all those involved can learn from each other and collaborate successfully. We create the opportunity for those attending to learn and practice some coaching skills including deep and rich questioning, active listening and influencing skills. We want the picture to unfold to reveal just how powerful coaching can be in the desire to develop within all learners, resilience, strength of character, a belief in fairness and a range of independent learning skills that will prepare them for a positive future.
This course is part of our suite of coaching courses. It can stand alone, or it can be part of a planned CPD strategy where all staff have the opportunity to learn how coaching can support them in their role. Making sure pastoral staff learn and practice a range of coaching skills and can see how coaching will enhance their role is a profound step in supporting all learners. The next few months will be an important journey where the pastoral team and the learners in their charge can cope with the realities of returning to the classroom, recognising there has been a cohesive learning journey over the past year and making strides towards discovering they have the confidence to move forward positively.
As with all the courses designed by the Learning Cultures coaching team the materials, resources, activities and presentations are all created so that those who participate in the training can take their learning back to their colleagues and cascade it. It is our sincere belief that any form of training must be sustainable and cost effective and by providing opportunities for others to share in the content of the training is essential. The delegate has the opportunity to pass on their knowledge to others but will also consolidate their learning through the process of discussing their learning with others.
