CSM Directory

Biography:

I am an experienced and skilled coach, mentor and leadership consultant. For over 25 years I have led highly successful educational organisations. I have been a Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, Director of Education within a successful multi-academy trust, and most recently, a Deputy Director of Education for a Diocese.

Coaching and Mentoring:
I specialise in coaching and mentoring middle, senior and executive leaders. Throughout my career, my focus has been on supporting others to grow their confidence and skills, enabling their transformation into highly effective, reflective practitioners.

Throughout my career as a leader in Education, I have used coaching to support and develop colleagues. This started as with developing teaching and learning, and over time progressed to developing middle and then senior leaders. Over the years, I am proud that I have played a part in developing many colleagues into senior leadership positions and have also supported existing Headteachers into executive and system leader roles. I genuinely love to enable other leaders’ to thrive. I have used coaching as a key tool for professional development for more than 15 years.

I am currently self-employed as a leadership consultant and coach. I started this company in September 2023. The sole reason that I started my own coaching and consultancy business is because I have always found coaching and mentoring other leaders the most rewarding part of my role. I currently work with leaders at all levels to support them, either with school or trust improvement matters, or to support them in improving their well-being or managing difficult relationships within their teams. I am currently also coaching participants on the NPQEL programme, to support Headteachers in developing their skills and understanding to move into Executive Leadership.
I am particularly interested in coaching women leaders. Research shows that women face additional physical and mindset barriers to gaining promotion, and navigating leadership at all levels, but especially when they are in a minority. I also lead an in person women’s leadership network in Devon, which is for leaders in all sectors.

Qualifications:
- Degree (BA Hons)
- PGCE in education
- Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Integrated Masters Programme)
- National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH)
- I have a qualification and accreditation of EMCC coach practitioner (Global Quality Award EQA)
- Team Coaching
(Global Individual Accreditation EIA) as an European Mentoring Coaching Council (EMCC) Coach practitioner.
When coaching, I work in a flexible manner to meet the needs of the client, which means I coach every client slightly differently. I use listening, questioning, reflection, positive affirmation and paraphrasing to support the client to understand their situation, widen their thinking, consider their options and commit to a way forward. I balance an emotionally intelligent, personable approach with honesty, challenge, support, good humour and full confidentiality.

My approach is underpinned by the following principles:
- A personal, adaptable approach: I work in partnership with you to understand your context and identify your goals, creating a bespoke programme to meet your needs;
- A confidential, non-judgemental collaboration;
- Kindness balanced with honesty and, with permission, challenge;
- An unwavering belief that every leader can reach their potential.
Testimonial:
I’ve known Claire, both personally and professionally for 20 years and wholeheartedly endorse her exceptional coaching and guidance. She continues to have an unwavering commitment to educational excellence and the desire to ensure the professionals she coaches achieve their potential and flourish.
Under Claire's guidance, the schools that I have helped to lead have experienced transformative growth and improvement. Her personalised approach to coaching ensured that I felt empowered to thrive and lead with confidence.
Claire possesses a rare blend of passion, expertise, and empathy that truly sets her apart. She prioritises individual well-being above all else, and expertly develops a solution focussed approach for her clients.
Under her guidance I have learned how to communicate clearly with my team and to reflect on my leadership skills. This was done whilst creating a safe yet challenging environment. Claire has that natural ability to make you recognize your own potential and help to guide you towards it. Therefore due to her coaching and advice, I have grown more confident in my ability to look at a number of different approaches towards school improvement and leadership.
Katy Burns, Executive Leader (ACE Strategic Lead), Devon