Coaching in Education: Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Pupils and Staff​

If you would like to:
  • Read more about why we think coaching has an important role to play in supporting pupil and staff mental health and wellbeing​, informed by current research findings.
  • See two illustrative case studies of coaching in action (individual coaching with a pupil, and coaching with teams of staff).
  • Consider broader questions arising from these discussion themes.
You may wish to read our book chapter that was published in Emerging Conversations in Coaching and Coaching Psychology, edited by Mary Watts and Ian Florance (2021).  Click on the image to be taken to Routledge's website (though the book is also available through other retailers).

Coaching Psychology in Schools: Enhancing Performance, Development and Wellbeing.

  • How can coaching contribute to enhanced performance, development and wellbeing in schools?
  • Does coaching really work?  If so, what makes it work?
  • How can I learn coaching skills?
  • How can I draw upon psychology to make me more effective at helping others to change?

If you are interested in these questions then you may wish to read Coaching Psychology in Schools, which is available from Routledge or Amazon.  The book was the first in the Coaching Psychology Series edited by Professor Stephen Palmer.  Read what people are saying about it, read a preview or order a copy, below:
"This book provides one of the most comprehensive and accessible descriptions of the role of the coach that I have seen... This is a thoroughly enjoyable and very practical book, which not only clearly describes, but also actually employs, the structure and principles of coaching in its engagement with the reader." - Carolyn Mumby, Coaching Today.
"A very engaging read by a writer who is himself clearly engaged in the material.  This is invaluable reading for anyone interested in developing person-centred practice in schools." - Pippa Whittaker, Curriculum Leader for Inclusion, City Academy Bristol.
"The range of approaches, the practicality of the tools and techniques, the guidance as to when each would be appropriate, and also the accessibility of the writing style all make this a fabulous gateway drug to the wonderful world of coaching psychology.  I urge coaches from other professional contexts to look beyond the title of the book as it has a potential appeal and use for practitioners far beyond the world of schools and colleges." - David Tee, Director, Coaching Psychology Unit, University of South Wales.
"A must-read for every head teacher and school leader who values the importance of supporting staff to grow and develop as practitioners.  It is skilfully crafted to give the right balance of psychology theory and practical coaching strategies and is easily accessible to those who do not have a psychology background." - Claire Banks, Head Teacher, St. Werburgh's Primary School, Bristol.
"Like Mark, I have seen how powerful coaching can be in promoting performance, development and wellbeing in educational settings.  In this book he clearly articulates why this is important and illustrates how it can be achieved through a range of case studies.  Mark's passion and expertise in coaching and the core values he discusses are themselves embedded within the book, resulting in a personal coaching experience for the reader however experienced, or whatever their role in education." - Dr. Jak Lee, Educational Psychologist & Coach, Lecturer at University of Bristol.
"This innovative book is the first coaching psychology book specifically concentrating on working within schools and will be of interest to professionals who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in order to enhance the performance, development and wellbeing of anybody within this community." - Professor Stephen Palmer, from the foreword.
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