In the fast-paced world of international education, establishing a culture of authentic coaching can be transformative yet challenging. Andy Jenkins’ journey offers valuable insights into this process and its remarkable impacts on organisational culture, leadership development, and educational outcomes. We sat down with him to find out more…
The Coaching Awakening
Andy’s interest in coaching ignited during his Masters in Educational Leadership at UCL’s Institute of Education, where he witnessed a powerful demonstration that challenged his understanding of effective coaching. “We watched a powerful coaching session led by an accredited coach, which demonstrated the power of silence, questioning, and genuine listening,” Andy explains. This formative experience reshaped his understanding that effective coaching isn’t about providing quick answers but creating space for reflection and growth.
Lessons from Professional Sport
Drawing his inspiration from sports psychology, particularly the All Blacks rugby team’s concept of maintaining a “blue head” in high-pressure situations, Andy has helped his leadership team develop greater emotional regulation.
“I reference the All Blacks philosophy of having a ‘blue head’ for calm, rational thinking in high-pressure situations,” Andy explained. This approach has been instrumental in helping the leadership team navigate the pressures of the international education landscape.
“We measure success not just in individual transformations, but in how people interact differently across the organisation. “When you hear coaching language being used spontaneously in meetings, when you see people genuinely listening to understand rather than to respond—that’s when you know the culture is shifting.”
Quantifying coaching’s impact presents challenges, but the empowerment of the school’s leadership team has led to several innovative approaches, such as “stay interviews” that focus on why staff remain committed to the school rather than focusing solely on exit interviews; and gathering positive parent feedback centered on why families choose to continue their relationship with the school.
Andy continues to deepen the coaching culture by exploring resources on positive psychology, further developing values-based leadership, and creating stronger mechanisms for belonging in his diverse community.
Andy’s journey reflects a fundamental transformation in leadership perspective: “I’ve shifted from being the person doing things to developing others.”
This evolution represents the essence of coaching’s potential in international educational settings—moving from directive management to empowered, values-driven leadership that benefits the entire educational community .
This is an excerpt from a longer piece. You can read the full article with Andy in our first issue of The Conversation magazine, here.
