Coaching
So much of what good education represents goes beyond subject-specific learning. The values of coaching and positive psychology are part of our community’s DNA and all contribute to supporting our students to lead flourishing lives in the widest sense. At City, EQ – emotional intelligence – is as important as IQ.
The broadest aim of our core focus across the school on positive psychology and coaching is to support students to become young women ready to take their place in a rapidly evolving world with confidence. 1:1 coaching sessions with a member of our six-strong team of trained coaching staff are always available for students to book. Students can also speak to trained sixth form student coaches. Coaching focuses on the present and the future and offers students non-directive support to identify their strengths, values and priorities, explore their options and so meet their varied challenges.
Our emotional intelligence programme operates across all years and is divided into four parallel themes: Inner strength, Social and emotional intelligence, Positivity, and Integrity. Students come to know that they have a great amount of control over their actions and decisions: this supports them to be resilient in the face of the challenges they encounter and allows them to be flexible and imaginative in how they respond. They understand the importance of emotional intelligence: of being good listeners and routinely demonstrating the empathy that lies at the heart of a dynamic and inclusive community. They can find joy in celebrating their and others’ achievements and savour the rich and diverse lives they lead in an appreciative fashion. They come to understand their own unique core values and signature strengths that underpin the integrity with which they approach their lives.
Our Staff
Coaching and positive psychology feature as part of the circadian rhythms of the school and involve staff, students and parents. From the very top downwards, all school staff are required to undertake coaching training and a majority have extended this to an advanced level via our bespoke programme. The same level of coaching training is also offered to senior sixth form students so that they can provide leadership and support among the student body. Uniquely, City also offers identical training to parents: our school community of students, staff and parents is tripartite and allows parents the opportunity to share the same familiarity and fluency with the language of EQ. These popular one–day courses are always oversubscribed and occur regularly each academic year.
