Coaching

At Mercia Learning Trust, we are committed to nurturing a skilled, motivated workforce and creating opportunities for continuous professional growth. Our approach to staff development is evolving to include a trust-wide coaching model, designed to foster a supportive and collaborative culture where every member of staff can thrive and succeed.

Coaching is an entitlement for all staff and reflects our belief that everyone can keep improving. It is a supportive, developmental approach that helps individuals unlock their potential, build confidence and take ownership of their professional journey. Coaching complements the strong practice already in place across many of our schools and extends this to every colleague across our trust.

Our coaching model is rooted in our values. Kindness shapes the safe, trusting relationships that allow honest reflection. Integrity guides open, meaningful dialogue that respects each individual and focuses on the right action. Diligence drives the ongoing effort required to grow, refine skills and pursue excellence. Together, these values create an environment where staff feel supported, challenged and able to thrive.

Leaders across our trust are committed to embedding high quality coaching as part of daily practice. Staff benefit from regular, purposeful interactions with line managers and peers to reflect, learn and identify next steps. These conversations focus on clear and achievable goals so that development feels manageable and sustained over time. By recognising strengths and highlighting the behaviours that align with our values, coaching reinforces what we stand for and enhances the experience of our pupils.

Coaching is becoming a core part of working life within our trust. For prospective colleagues, it offers a reassuring commitment that your development will be prioritised and that you will be supported to progress, contribute and succeed.

Our staff conference

Every year we host a staff conference that brings all colleagues together for a day of shared learning, collaboration and celebration.

The event strengthens our collective purpose by giving staff time to reflect on our mission, hear from inspiring speakers and explore practice that supports the best outcomes for children and pupils.

Each conference includes trust wide keynotes, focused sessions for subject and professional groups, and opportunities to recognise the outstanding work of colleagues through the Mercia Star Awards.

It is an important moment in the year when we come together as one organisation, looking ahead with ambition and a shared commitment to our future.

Associate staff leadership training

Associate staff form a significant part of our workforce and make an essential contribution to the success of our trust.

Their roles reach across every level of our organisation and shape important areas of school life eg pastoral, finance, estates, IT, admin, teaching assistants.

Our associate staff leadership programme reflects our commitment to valuing and developing the talented associate staff who play such a vital part in supporting our pupils and communities.

Rooted in our mission and values, the programme is designed to strengthen leadership expertise contributing to the empowerment of everyone in our communities, especially the most disadvantaged, to succeed

Over the course of a full year, participants will take part in five afternoon training delivered by leaders from across our trust and external speakers. These sessions are designed for colleagues who wish to enhance their management and leadership skills, whether they are already leading others or aspiring to do so in the future. The programme includes an opportunity to visit another school to broaden professional insight and experience.

Through this development offer, we aim to equip associate staff with the confidence, knowledge, and leadership behaviours needed to continue making a meaningful impact across our trust.

Feedback from participants:

“It has made me pause and reflect on the kind of leader I want to be. I’m leaving with new tools and more confidence.”

“It’s great to work in a trust that puts such value in developing their support staff.”

“Every session was informative and interesting. I’ve taken away something from each that I can apply day-to-day.”

Senior leadership development programme

Our senior leadership development programme has been created to nurture the next generation of exceptional leaders across our trust.

Rooted in our mission and values, the programme is designed to strengthen leadership expertise to empower everyone in our communities, especially the most disadvantaged, to succeed.

This leadership offer reflects our belief in purposeful collaboration and our commitment to growing colleagues who can drive meaningful and lasting school improvement.

The programme aims to build resilience, strategic thinking, and professional character, while also promoting an aligned approach to leadership across our trust.

Participants will take responsibility for a defined strand of their school’s development plan, engage fully with coaching and CPD, and share the impact of their work in a final leadership showcase.

Through this shared experience, we hope to strengthen consistency, and develop leaders who can empower their communities with clarity and confidence.

Running across the full academic year, the programme brings together half-termly in-person CPD sessions led by experienced trust leaders, regular coaching from a member of our trust leadership team, and study visits to other schools. Each session is anchored by our Mercia Excellence Framework.