Kennedy College Coaching
Coaching: A Truly Student-Centred Approach
Coaching has a powerful pedigree and is beginning to emerge on the educational scene.
Much of education is directive, with teachers explaining to students how things work or how to work things out; a more skilled artist will explain to a less skilled one how to develop their ideas and teach them the techniques which will enable them to produce works of ever-increasing sophistication and skill. Such an approach can inspire a student to change their mindset, but it often does little to change that mindset at a fundamental level.
Coaching, on the other hand, is non-directive. The coach supports the other person in their journey, and to ask them questions which will make them think, whilst creating the mental and emotional space for that thinking. For an adult, such thinking will often connect with blocks or ideas which have kept them moving in one direction or stopped them from moving forward. Previous experience or current circumstances may hold them back from doing what they would truly love to do.
Coaching offers a non-critical space in which a student can evaluate the ideas through which they are living their lives and examine for themselves their validity or otherwise. Coaching enables a young person to be open to the deeper, fuller possibilities of their own excellence, and to come to realise those possibilities in a powerful manner. The lessons learned from coaching also promote resilience, self-confidence and self-mastery.
The Kennedy Approach
Every student receives individual Coaching.
At Kennedy College Oxford, it is our belief that there is always a next step for every student: the sky is the limit for each of them. They must, however, know what that step is, and how to take it. Coaching ensures that the students themselves make the changes needed for progress and excellence, and that they have the space and confidence needed to develop their understanding of their own values, strengths and abilities. This is underpinned by a process of transformational coaching and Strengths Profile coaching.
A unique approach to Assessment and Learning with Review and Assessment meetings leading to student feedback to parents underpins all academic progress. Students are encouraged to see themselves on a journey, where they must take the next step each and every day. The teacher will guide those steps, holding a light for them, but they must know and commit to those next steps. Our parents’ evenings reflect this, with students explaining what has been agreed at the Review and Assessment meetings and explaining to their parents/guardians what they are going to do to move forward. Teachers will then explain how they will support those moves before parents/guardians are asked to offer their support.
