Instructional Coaching

Exploring the Seven Success Factors of Instructional Coaching

A blueprint for building an instructional coaching program that actually works.

Many schools invest in instructional coaching without fully understanding what makes it effective.

Drawing on nearly three decades of research by Dr Jim Knight and collaboration with more than 150,000 instructional coaches worldwide, this course distils that body of work into Seven Success Factors, the critical conditions that determine whether instructional coaching takes hold and makes a difference.

About

This one-day course is designed for school leaders and coaching program leaders who want to establish, strengthen or assess their instructional coaching program. You will explore what leaders need to know and do so that coaches can work effectively, what structural and cultural supports are required, and how to identify and address the barriers that prevent coaching from fulfilling its potential.

Participants leave with a practical blueprint for sustainable instructional coaching in their own setting, with clarity about next steps.

Delivered in partnership with

This is an Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) course developed by Dr Jim Knight and delivered by GCI under license.

What you will gain

A research-informed understanding of what makes instructional coaching effective and sustainable
Clarity about the leadership decisions, structures and supports that set coaches up to succeed
Practical tools for establishing, administering and assessing an instructional coaching program
The ability to identify and address the barriers that limit the impact of coaching in your setting

Structure

Session 1
- What is Coaching?
- Introducing the Success Factors
- Partnership Principles
Session 2
- Communication Skills
- Questioning & Listening
- Coaches as Leaders
Session 3
- The Impact Cycle
- Data
- The Instructional Playbook
- System Support

From participants on this course

What participants say

would recommend this course

rated the course content Very Good or Excellent

Where participants plan to use their learning

Develop leadership ability and support others81.7%

Improve professional practice and colleagues’ practice75.4%

Enhance student achievement and wellbeing61.1%

Based on GCI Exploring the Seven Success Factors of Instructional Coaching post-course surveys, 2024 to 2026. Percentages reflect valid responses to each question; multiple selections were allowed where applicable.

In their words

These are from GCI’s participant survey, across their courses rather than this one.

“The program is research/evidence based and uses coaching practice to critique theory. It has a practical application from workshop 1.”
Wayne WheatleyAssistant Principal, De La Salle College, NSW
“The group setting, being able to do it in my own time in the holidays without competing demands. The knowledge of the facilitators and the way they ran the session. So warm, open and inviting.”
Melissa StephensAssistant Principal, Mill Park Secondary College, VIC
“I have been impressed with the OCAP from top to bottom, from the coaches and materials to the varied tasks and coaching arrangements. I come away with a deeper understanding of my role as a coach and how to serve my fellow teachers better.”
Nick MantheiOxford University Press, Turkey

Our facilitators

As a coaching organisation, we endeavour to model a ‘coaching way of being’ in our interactions with our clients by being:

Respectful
Humble
Curious
Strengths-focused
Reflective

We encourage a culture of high expectations through our commitment to the ongoing development of our people based on mutual respect and collaboration. Our consultants are expert coach practitioners who draw on a wealth of educational experience to provide the highest level of service as coaches and trainers.

Meet the GCI team

Certification

A GCI Certificate is issued to each individual completing this course.

Fees and what is included

This price is for an individual registering on an open-enrolment course.

Savings are available for organisations who wish to run this course for an in-house group.

Please email info@growthcoaching.com.au to request a quote or discuss this further.

Register your interest

If you would like to explore offering this course to your own group, or would like to be notified when new dates are announced, please complete the form below. A member of the GCI team will be in touch.