Coaching and Mentoring

Personalised support. Professional challenge. Stronger leadership.

Confidential, one-to-one coaching and mentoring for new and experienced leaders in British international schools.

Effective leadership is central to successful schools. Yet leadership can also be complex, demanding and, at times, isolating.

ESP’s Coaching and Mentoring Programme gives school leaders a trusted professional space in which to reflect, explore challenges, consider new perspectives and turn their thinking into meaningful action.

Combining professional coaching with experienced mentoring, the programme provides personalised support and constructive challenge throughout the academic year.

Leadership development tailored to you

Every leader, role and school is different. Our coaching and mentoring is therefore shaped around each participant’s experience, priorities and current professional challenges.

Rather than following a fixed training programme, each session responds to the issues that matter most to the individual. Leaders receive the time and space to think clearly, strengthen their decision making and identify practical actions that can make an immediate difference.

The programme is suitable for:

  • Principals and Heads of School

  • Executive and Regional Leaders

  • Deputy and Assistant Heads

  • Heads of Primary and Secondary

  • Senior and Middle Leaders preparing for greater responsibility

  • Newly appointed or recently promoted leaders

Support grounded in the international-school context

Leading a British international school brings distinctive opportunities and challenges. Leaders must balance the expectations of a British education with local Ministry requirements, internationally diverse communities and the operational demands of working overseas.

ESP understands this context.

Our coaching and mentoring provides confidential support from an experienced professional outside the leader’s immediate school environment, allowing complex or sensitive matters to be explored openly and constructively.

What can the programme help leaders achieve?

Coaching and mentoring can help participants to:

  • Build greater confidence and leadership effectiveness

  • Address current challenges and emerging opportunities

  • Strengthen strategic thinking and decision-making

  • Improve communication, influence and team leadership

  • Lead change and school improvement more effectively

  • Develop sustainable habits of reflection and professional growth

  • Protect their wellbeing and build professional resilience

A flexible and personalised programme

The programme combines structured leadership development with responsive one-to-one support over 12 months.

Initial leadership development session

The programme begins with an introductory group session for all participating leaders from your school.

This session introduces the coaching and mentoring process, establishes expectations and confidentiality, and provides participants with a leadership self-evaluation tool. Each leader is supported to identify their development priorities and set clear professional goals for the year.

Six individual sessions

Each participating leader receives:

  • Six one-to-one coaching and mentoring sessions

  • 60 minutes of dedicated support per session

  • Online delivery from anywhere in the world

  • Flexible scheduling throughout the year

  • Bespoke conversations shaped around their role and priorities

  • A balance of professional support and constructive challenge

  • Clear actions and practical leadership strategies

Support between sessions

Leadership challenges do not always arise conveniently before a scheduled meeting. Email support is available between sessions, enabling participants to seek guidance, discuss an emerging issue or receive help with an agreed action.

Additional coaching and mentoring sessions can also be arranged where further support is required.

Expected outcomes

By the end of the programme, leaders can expect to:

  • Have greater clarity and confidence in their role

  • Apply practical strategies to current leadership challenges

  • Make better-informed strategic decisions

  • Lead, develop and motivate teams more effectively

  • Improve their professional impact

  • Strengthen their resilience and personal wellbeing

  • Drive sustainable improvement across their school

  • Establish lasting habits of reflection and professional growth

Invest in the leaders who drive your school forward

High-quality coaching and mentoring helps leaders think more clearly, act more confidently and sustain their effectiveness.

It also demonstrates your school’s commitment to developing, retaining and investing in its leadership talent.

Programme fee

£900 per participating leader

This includes the initial leadership development session, six individual coaching and mentoring sessions, and email support between sessions.

Give your leaders the support they need to thrive

To discuss the needs of your leadership team or arrange an ESP Coaching and Mentoring Programme, contact Mark Bignell on mark@espeducation.co.uk.