Instructional Coaching

You will learn the foundational principles of instructional coaching and what it looks like in the context of teaching.

This one-term programme is split into four development days:

• The science of teacher learning – what makes teacher learning particularly challenging? How can we support teachers to overcome some of these challenges?
• Instructional coaching and behaviour change – why might teachers struggle to change their teaching practice? How can we support them to make changes?
• Instructional coaching and knowledge development – why is it so important for teachers to understand the purpose of their classroom actions? How can we make this central to our coaching?
• Embedding instructional coaching – what are the practical and cultural challenges of implementing a programme of instructional coaching? How can we overcome these challenges?

The content is delivered via four virtual development days, enabling you to connect with your fellow teacher educators.

There are also three one-to-one, virtual coaching sessions, where you'll be supported by an expert instructional coach. You will share recordings of your teaching and coaching practice to engage in tailored coaching support.

Note: programme content is subject to change.

Transform teaching

By learning the foundations of instructional coaching, you’ll be able support colleagues in your school or trust to develop their expertise and improve pupil outcomes.

Build on existing experience

This programme is designed for those who have a strong interest in teacher education and development. You’ll build on your existing responsibility for developing teachers, maximising your impact in your school or trust.

Personalised to you

You’ll develop a deep understanding of the principles of instructional coaching and teacher education, rather than follow one specific model. This means you’ll be able to tailor your coaching approach to the needs of your colleagues and school.

One-to-one coaching

You will be coached on both your teaching and your coaching by an experienced coach. You’ll receive feedback on how to improve across the duration of the programme.

Connect with peers

You’ll train alongside fellow teacher educators, joining a network that lasts long after the programme finishes.

See school-wide improvement

Having an instructional coach in your school who can support other staff, can have a school-wide impact on the quality of teaching. Enquire here to learn more about how this programme can benefit multiple educators or staff in your school. A member of the Ambition team will be in touch.

Develop teacher expertise

Instructional coaching supports teachers to identify what to improve and how to do it, benefitting the broader quality of teaching at your school.

Tailored to your context

Our programme is designed to be tailored to your school or trust’s specific context. Participants will learn the principles of teacher education and instructional coaching, including how and why it works. This gives them the ability to evaluate and match a coaching approach to the needs of your staff.

Improve pupil outcomes

There is strong evidence to suggest that instructional coaching not only affects teaching quality, but also pupil outcomes. *

Retain your best teachers

Investing in your teachers' professional development can help them become more effective in their roles and retain them within your organisation.

Source Sims, S (2019), “Four reasons instructional coaching is currently the best-evidenced form of CPD”.

This is what some of our 2024 programme graduates had to say about their decision to enrol on this programme.
''To continue to develop teaching and learning in my school and across my Trust.''
''To give me the confidence in supporting other staff members.''
''To improve and refine practice in the school.''
''To ensure I was exposed to some of the best thinking about coaching.''
''Acted as a mentor and supporting ECTs as well as passion for T&L''

How does instructional coaching benefit teachers and schools?

Having an instructional coach in your school who can support other staff, can have a school-wide impact on the quality of teaching.

Instructional coaching supports teachers to identify what to improve and how to do it, benefitting the broader quality of teaching at your school.

Can I receive support in tailoring instructional coaching to my school's context?

Our programme is designed to be tailored to your school or trust’s specific context. Participants will learn the principles of teacher education and instructional coaching, including how and why it works. This gives them the ability to evaluate and match a coaching approach to the needs of your staff.

What are the costs associated with the Instructional Coaching programme?

This course costs £1,350 +VAT per participant.

Who is the Instructional Coaching programme designed for?

To apply, you need to be an experienced classroom teacher who can influence teaching and learning. For example experience of supporting colleagues, as a mentor, leader of CPD or lead practitioner.

Is there any prerequisite experience required to join the Instructional Coaching programme?

You’ll ideally have leadership responsibility in your school with responsibility for developing teaching colleagues. This may include roles such as head of department, lead practitioner or professional mentor.

How long is the Instructional Coaching programme?

The programme is delivered over one-term, split into four development days, three one-to-one virtual coaching sessions and inter-sessional reading.

What is Instructional Coaching?

Instructional coaching of teachers seeks to fulfil a similar function to that of a football coach. Coaches observe lessons and select the area which they think will most improve the teacher’s practice. They then identify how the teacher can improve in this area, creating manageable, bite-sized steps for improvement.

Instructional coaching has the impact that it does because of its specificity and incremental nature. It also acknowledges that teachers need high levels of support to adopt new habits in the complex environments of their classrooms.