Education Leadership

Beyond Headship

The Beyond Headship programme has been developed by Helen Woodward for headteachers and school leaders ready to explore new ideas and possibilities, seeking their path to a new future.

During the programme you’ll work through a design thinking process towards a new working life. Through the activities and online coaching the focus will be on:

Discovering what energises you, brings you hope and enables you to be wholehearted
Defining a new and preferred future for your work and life
Designing a realistic action plan towards a new future

Beyond HeadshipOnline course · lifetime access

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Ontological Coaching: A Different Way of Supporting Educational Leaders

I was really happy that the Association of Education Advisers asked me to contribute a chapter on ontological coaching to their latest book Advising on Change Management in Education, published by Routledge.

Ontological coaching looks beyond the immediate challenge to explore how our language, emotions and ways of thinking shape what we notice, the choices we make and what becomes possible.

For education leaders, coaching can provide valuable space to step back, think differently and gain greater clarity and confidence about how to lead through the challenges and opportunities ahead.

These ideas are central to my work with leaders. If you’re considering coaching, I’d be very happy to have a conversation about what you’re navigating and whether coaching might be useful.

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What education leaders say

Helen as a coach has improved the quality of leaders, as a mentor has supported our teams and been a key part of challenging our thinking on how we work as a Trust. Most of all I trust her to deliver and to support us with professionalism, compassion, and consideration.

Mike TongeCEO, Prestolee Trust

If you're serious about improving your leadership skills, I highly recommend this course. Helen is a gifted facilitator, and she provides a wealth of practical advice that you can use immediately.

Veuve CrossBritish Embassy, Baku

I began working with Helen following a recommendation from a colleague and couldn't have received better advice. Each and every coaching session has challenged and moved my thinking on. Helen is a brilliant coach and has been instrumental in my leadership development over the past twelve months.

Kylie Spark MBECEO

Thank you so much for the invaluable support you are providing. It is worth every penny!

Angela Holdsworth MBECEO, The Sea View Trust

As an SLT, we noticed the Leadership programme generated a great deal of interest and discussions in the staff room. Colleagues are sharing and recommending books and articles on leadership and informal networks of peer support have emerged to have open and curious discussions. It is wonderful to see a wider range of colleagues taking pride in leading projects and enjoying the professional satisfaction of that challenge.

Helen BrandonDeputy HT, Bolton School

Helen was my first choice when I needed an expert facilitator to help us really deeply think through scenarios that would lead to a big management of change project that had major importance for our future direction of travel. I knew from previous experience of working with her that she had the perfect skill set to do this well.