Experiences of aspiring school principals receiving coaching as part of a leadership development programme

Article

Van Nieuwerburgh, C., Barr, M., Munro, C., Noon, H. and Arifin, D. 2020. Experiences of aspiring school principals receiving coaching as part of a leadership development programme. International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education. 9 (3), pp. 291-306. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-11-2019-0107
AuthorsVan Nieuwerburgh, C., Barr, M., Munro, C., Noon, H. and Arifin, D.
Abstract

Purpose

This paper adds depth to our understanding of how coaching works by exploring the experiences of 14 aspiring school principals who received one-to-one leadership coaching as part of a leadership development programme.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a phenomenological approach. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants. Thematic analysis was used to code the data and identify themes.

Findings

This paper reports on four themes based on the experiences of the participants: having time to reflect, feeling safe to explore, focussing on what's important for me and experiencing positive emotions.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are unique to the participants who volunteered to take part in this study and therefore not representative of a general population of aspiring educational leaders. Further research is needed into the possible benefits of coaching to support educators undergoing leadership training.

Practical implications

The findings raise a potential dilemma within the teaching profession about the use of educators' time; while they need to give time and attention to multiple stakeholders, they also need to protect time for their own development and self-reflection. Based on the reported experiences of the participants in this study, it is recommended that coaching be considered a component of professional development for educational leaders.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the growing research base for coaching in education, providing a unique insight into the experiences of aspiring school principals who received one-to-one leadership coaching as part of a leadership development programme.

JournalInternational Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education
Journal citation9 (3), pp. 291-306
ISSN2046-6854
Year2020
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMCE-11-2019-0107
Publication dates
Online27 May 2020
Publication process dates
Accepted21 Apr 2020
Deposited18 Jun 2020
Copyright holder© 2020 Emerald Publishing Limited
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/881yx

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
van Nieuwerburgh et al (2020) Experiences of aspiring principals.pdf
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 1240
    total views
  • 1434
    total downloads
  • 16
    views this month
  • 22
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Experience of positive psychology coaching while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Van Nieuwerburgh, C., Barr, M., Fouracres, A. J. S., Moin, T., Brown, C., Holden, C., Lucey, C. and Thomas, P. 2021. Experience of positive psychology coaching while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice. 15 (2), pp. 148-165. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2021.1897637
The experience of positive psychology coaching following unconscious bias training: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Tia Moin, F. K. and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2021. The experience of positive psychology coaching following unconscious bias training: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. 19 (1), pp. 74-89. https://doi.org/10.24384/n4hw-vz57
‘More willing to carry on in the face of adversity’: how beginner teachers facing challenging circumstances experience positive psychology coaching. An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Lucey, C. and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2020. ‘More willing to carry on in the face of adversity’: how beginner teachers facing challenging circumstances experience positive psychology coaching. An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice. 14 (1), pp. 62-77. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2020.1753791
Creating coaching cultures in schools
Munro, C., Barr, M and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2020. Creating coaching cultures in schools. in: Jackson, E. and Berkeley, A. (ed.) Sustaining Depth and Meaning in School Leadership: Keeping Your Head Routledge.
The lived experience of self-identifying character strengths through coaching: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Fouracres, A. J. S. and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2020. The lived experience of self-identifying character strengths through coaching: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. 18 (1), pp. 43-56. https://doi.org/10.24384/e0jp-9m61
Looking forward to going back? The experience of career decision-making for first-time mothers and the implications for coaches
Noon, H. and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2020. Looking forward to going back? The experience of career decision-making for first-time mothers and the implications for coaches. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. 18 (1), pp. 88-102. https://doi.org/10.24384/hqe5-4803
Workplace Coaching
Passmore, J., Van Nieuwerburgh, C. and Barr, M. 2019. Workplace Coaching. Oxford Bibliographies: Management. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199846740-0164
The experiences of educational coaches prior to their first placement: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Tee, D., Barr, M. and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2019. The experiences of educational coaches prior to their first placement: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring. 17 (2), pp. 52-63. https://doi.org/10.24384/ssyk-hx16
A role for coaching to support leadership development? The experiences of female Arab leaders: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Mattar, M., Van Nieuwerburgh, C., Barr, M. and Jacob, Y. 2018. A role for coaching to support leadership development? The experiences of female Arab leaders: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. International Coaching Psychology Review. 13 (2), pp. 78-87.
Coaching in Education
Van Nieuwerburgh, C. and Barr, M. 2016. Coaching in Education. in: Bachkirova, T., Spence, G. and Drake, D. (ed.) The SAGE Handbook of Coaching SAGE Publications.
Understanding the experiences of positive life changes during postgraduate study on a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology programme: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Van Nieuwerburgh, C. and Lech, Agnieszka 2015. Understanding the experiences of positive life changes during postgraduate study on a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology programme: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. International Journal of Wellbeing. 5 (3), pp. 72-84.
Teachers’ experiences of an introductory coaching training workshop in Scotland: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Barr, M. and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2015. Teachers’ experiences of an introductory coaching training workshop in Scotland: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. International Coaching Psychology Review. 10 (2), p. 190–204.
The development of peer coaching skills in primary school children in years 5 and 6
Briggs, Mary and Van Nieuwerburgh, C. 2010. The development of peer coaching skills in primary school children in years 5 and 6. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 9, pp. 1415-1422.