The National College for School Leadership
Context
The National College for School Leadership (NCSL) exists to help make a difference to the lives and the life chances of children and young people through the development of world-class school leaders. One of their stated goals is to 'Grow tomorrows leaders' and, in support of that goal, they run a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) which aims to develop the skills, knowledge and experience of future headteachers.
Top leaders in all professions are increasingly seeing one to one coaching as a great way to aid their thinking whilst, at the same time, developing their skills. The NCSL wanted to offer this opportunity for their future leaders, so approached Coach in a Box to provide a solution.
The Coach in a Box Solution
Coach in a Box worked with the NCSL to adapt our leadership product, Spark, to fit the educational context. Over a three month period, each future Headteacher went through a structured programme which helped them learn a lot about themselves and how to improve their leadership capabilities. To do this, they picked up some of the latest and most powerful leadership tools that are currently being used, both in business and the public sector. The programme was supported with telephone coaching by two expert coaches. A Personal Coach who built up an understanding of the individuals' challenges and provided support and challenge around the programme material, and a Specialist Coach who was able to work at a deeper more transformational level.
The programme outline: 
The Results
On completing the three month coaching programme we asked the pilot group to assess the impact of the product.
| Expectations | 71% exceeded 29% met |
| Objectives | 57% Exceeded their objectives 43% Met their objectives |
| Value of Material | 8 out of 10 |
| Value of Coach | 10 out of 10 |
| Value of the Specialist | 9 out of 10 |
| Ability to apply the learning | 9 out of 10 |
| Value of the product | 9 out of 10 |
| Style of delivery | 9 out of 10 |
| How many would recommend CinaB to colleagues? | 100% |
Here are some of the comments that they made:
"I was surprised at how easy it was to engage with both Coach and Specialist without face to face contact; on reflection, I suspect this was a reason why it was possible to be so open and honest. It has given me the confidence to pursue headship."
Lisa Powlesland
"The course has strengthened my ability to be self critical and thereby enriched my reflections; a process vital to effective self management and the leadership of others."
Richard Cleveland
"The process was particularly valuable to me as I have a Headship to start in September and the timing of this project has meant that I feel confident and ready to start in my new role. (Having said that, I can already see a place for Coach in a Box in my new role and have already requested the details of how I can continue with it next academic year!!)"
Sarah Crouch
"The coaches were really good at boosting my self esteem; I left phone calls feeling like anything was possible and they helped me to see how my future might develop. I feel privileged to have been able to receive this support."
Jill Thomas
Following this successful pilot we are now in conversations with the NCSL to look at various ways in which Coach in a Box can support their leadership development goals and aspirations such as succession planning and supporting new heads into roles.