In this episode of Coaching Conversations, I explore the impactful coaching program developed by Nicola O'Keeffe, Debbie Briggs, Becky Prescott-Mail, and Ceri Boyle from New College Doncaster. Their focus is on equipping students with essential knowledge and metacognitive skills for outstanding performance in national qualifications. The coaches discuss their commitment to building a common language around learning, emphasizing explicit teaching of metacognitive skills. 

They share insights into incorporating evidence on memory and learning into actionable principles for exceptional student progress. The conversation highlights a culture of continuous improvement among teachers, with personalized CPD targeting high-impact areas. New College challenges the input/output myth, emphasizing that true learning involves a lasting change in the brain's structure. Discover how they teach for learning, creating challenging yet supportive environments and fostering deep teacher subject knowledge.

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Ceri Boyle

Ceri Boyle, now in her 29th year as a teacher, has worked in a number of secondary schools and, in recent years, sixth form colleges. She spent a number of years leading departments and faculties, but became particularly interested in coaching to support teachers’ professional development as a lead practitioner. As assistant principal at New College Doncaster, she leads on teaching, learning, and assessment.

Rebecca Prescott-Mail

Becky Prescott-Mail is an Instructional Coach and teacher of Psychology at New College Doncaster. During her 15 year career, she has taught in Shanghai, led a department and worked as a subject coordinator on one of 12 government Opportunity Areas aiming to raise the quality of teaching and learning in Social Sciences in her region. She is passionate about supporting teachers professional development through positive engagement and is a fellow of CollectivED.

Nicki O'Keeffe

Nicki O'Keeffe has just entered her 20th year of teaching and has been involved in a variety of department, subject and pastoral related job roles. Nicki's passion has always been to dedicate her time to supporting trainee teachers in their early development as well as teachers further into their career. She is currently an Instructional Coach at New College Doncaster alongside teaching sport. 

Debbie Briggs

Debbie Briggs is now in her 29th year as a Sociology teacher.  She has worked in a variety of education establishments across the sector including  FE,  grammar and sixth form colleges.   Debbie has led departments and programme areas in Social Sciences, student support and tutorial systems. She currently works at New College Doncaster as a Teacher of Sociology,  Instructional Coach and Oxbridge coordinator.