Coaching and supervision

We know from speaking with school leaders that coaching and/or supervision can be incredibly empowering, offering a boost to wellbeing as well as giving you the skills to maintain it. It is often considered to be too expensive to pursue coaching and supervision however, this is not always the case. We recommend discussing your needs with your Chair of Governors/Trustees and to think about what you are hoping to get out of working with a coach/supervisor. Identifying your pain points and your availability and budget are useful to consider before seeking a coach/supervisor. 

The number one priority when selecting someone to work with is that you feel comfortable with them. Many will offer to meet/speak with you in advance of your first session which will enable you to judge if you think you would be suited to each other. If you work with one person and find it’s not the right fit for you, it is OK to say so and seek a different coach/supervisor. Many leaders take 2 or 3 attempts to find the right person for them. Once a relationship is formed, this can last years. 

This list has been collated from responses to surveys by Norfolk school leaders and, all those listed are currently working with serving heads in 2024. We are unable to quality assure providers therefore, it is important to use you own discretion when deciding who to work with.  

Penny Shepperd – Valued Leadership 

  • Variety of coaching and mentoring packages offered as well as a host of additional school development services
  • Ex serving Norfolk school leader so has walked in your shoes
Mary Jo Hill – Coach for School improvement
  • Variety of services offered, supervision, 1-1 coaching, online coaching and more at different price points.
  • Mary Jo has been working with Norfolk School Leaders for a number of years and came up several times in the suggestions
Kevin Lee – Better Balance Education
  • Variety of services offered, supervision, 1-1 coaching, online coaching and more.
  • Kevin is an Ex Norfolk school leader so has walked in your shoes
Fiona Sykes
      07590 119 160
  • “Amazing coach who is extremely reasonable and really supportive to help you find space to talk and reflect”
Emma Kell – Those that Can
  • Emma offers coaching to school leaders
  • Emma has a number of other offers schools may be interested in including training and speaking during inset days.
VNET Education CIC
  • They are able to offer both coaching and supervision
  • VNET also offer whole school coaching in this area.
Talking Heads Supervision
  • Specialising in providing supervision to school leaders
  • They are able to offer supervision training to allow it to cascade in school.
Church mentors
  • Lots of churches offer additional support to their congregation and wider community.
  • It is often based around a listening ear and a cup of coffee, judgement free, can be a largely secular conversation with a prayer at the beginning and end.
  • Might be group or 1 – 1.
  • There are a wide variety of different styles of churches and religions across Norfolk, most of which are willing to help members of the wider community. Reach out to one that seems to most suit you.

If you are able to suggest further providers to add to this list that you have used, and would recommend to others, please send the details to kirsty@norfolksla.co.uk