Writes Laura Smith, Deputy Head, Staff Development & Sally Hale, Assistant Coaching Lead
This week saw the launch of the second year of Merchant Taylors’ Lower Sixth Peer Coaching Programme, with an impressive 75 Lower Sixth students volunteering to train as peer coaches for younger pupils.
Their enthusiasm reflects a growing recognition that leadership is not simply about taking charge; it is equally about listening well, asking thoughtful questions and helping others find their own solutions. In short, our new coaches are learning that wisdom does not always arrive with a speech, a clipboard or a whistle.
The programme draws upon a substantial body of educational research demonstrating the positive impact of coaching in schools. Studies have linked coaching interventions to improvements in academic progress, wellbeing, self-efficacy and social connectedness, making coaching an increasingly valuable tool in supporting young people to thrive. For younger pupils, having a dedicated coach can provide both encouragement and accountability; for the coach, it offers a powerful opportunity to develop empathy, leadership and communication skills.
Before they begin working with pupils, our L6 coaches are undertaking training in both coaching techniques and safeguarding protocols. This ensures they feel confident and fully equipped to support younger students safely and effectively.
Over the coming two terms, coaches will help pupils develop the habits of reflective practice: identifying their strengths and recognising areas for development in order to set clear and achievable goals. Coaching conversations will take place fortnightly in the Exam Hall in supervised pairs, with each session lasting 30 minutes.
Pupils in Divisions and Fourth Form have been visited by Ms Smith and Mrs Hale in assemblies this week to introduce the programme and invite them to sign up. The privilege of one-to-one support from a trained Sixth Form coach is not something to be sniffed at! Sometimes the most valuable guidance comes not from someone decades ahead of you, but from someone who remembers all too clearly what it felt like to be in your shoes.
In the weeks when they are not coaching younger pupils, our Lower Sixth students will work towards the prestigious Ivy House Award. Developed by executive leadership specialists, the award brings leadership and personal development training typically reserved for senior professionals to students aged 15 to 18. Built around the themes of self-knowledge, self-empowerment and self-leadership, the programme helps young people develop confidence, resilience, communication skills and a clearer understanding of their strengths and future aspirations.
Together, the Peer Coaching Programme and the Ivy House Award create a powerful leadership journey, enabling our Lower Sixth students not only to support others’ growth, but to accelerate their own. After all, the best way to learn how to lead is often to help someone else find their way.
