There are a number of resources you can use to observe and evaluate the effective use of a coach including our Self Review Tool and our coach observation form.
Our tips for the effective use of a coach are:
Upskill your staff
Is the coach up-skilling your teaching staff to be able to deliver activities without the coach present in future lessons? If not, are you certain your model is sustainable?
Understand the outcomes
Is the coach familiar with your school curriculum, the PE National Curriculum and the Ofsted assessment criteria? If not, do you know what outcomes the coach is working towards?
Specific knowledge
Does the coach have sufficient sport-specific and/or Multi-skills knowledge to be able to develop your staff’s confidence and skills in PE and school sport delivery? If not, do you have an appropriately qualified and skilled coach?
Access opportunities
Is your coach allowing the school to provide opportunities for children that would not have existed otherwise? If not, you may wish to consider broadening the range of activities your school offers.
Enhance links
Is your coach helping to provide additional sporting opportunities for children by enhancing club-school links? If not, you may wish to consider a coach who is involved in the satellite club programme.
Fundamentals of movement
Is the coach helping to deliver fundamental movement skills in PE lessons? If not, your coach may not be experienced in working with children in a school environment and may not be delivering sessions appropriate to Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils.
Get active
Does your coach help to keep children active for the majority of a lesson or session? If not, your coach may not be used to working with larger numbers of children.
Communication is key
Is your coach able to communicate appropriately and effectively with children? If not, this coach may not be experienced in working with children and young people.