Scotland’s national coaching strategy for education sets out a clear vision that places coaching front and centre of how we learn and develop in Scottish Education:

Vision

Scottish education has a strong, embedded culture of coaching. All education professionals understand and experience high quality coaching which directly impacts on themselves, learners and their learning communities.

This is sustained by a coherent strategy which ensures equity of access to coaching experiences and conversations, professional learning opportunities and systems of support that foster coaching.

As Scottish education navigates the next phase of change and reform and continues to develop an empowered system, Education Scotland (ES) and GTC Scotland (GTCS) have been working with stakeholders to develop a more coherent system-wide coaching strategy which builds on strengths already in the system and supports greater equity of access across local and regional areas.

Definitions of coaching are wide ranging. The strategy defines coaching as a structured conversation, which takes a non-directive stance, allowing the coachee to lead the way forming their own conclusions:

‘A one to one conversation that focuses on the enhancement of learning and development through increasing self-awareness and a sense of personal responsibility, where the coach facilitates the self-directed learning of the coachee through questions, active listening, and challenge in a supportive and encouraging climate. (van Nieuwerburgh,2012,p.17).

Strategic Objectives:

To create a culture of coaching in Scottish Education in which coaching has shared value across the system by:

• Enhancing the strengths and opportunities that currently exist;
• Ensuring ease and equity of access to coaching experiences for all;
• Providing professional learning opportunities in coaching and coaching approaches to enhance the capacity of everyone in the system to provide coaching.
• Ensuring that coaching has an impact on individuals’ personal wellbeing and professional growth
• Ensuring that coaching has an impact beyond the individual for those they lead, teach and relate with.

Strategic Outcomes:

• Educators benefit from coaching which is a recognised and established support for personal wellbeing, professional growth and development;
• Coaching enhances how educators connect, learn and lead together;
• Professional learning opportunities are available for educators which equip them with the skills and confidence in coaching at all levels.