Women Leading in Education Launch National Coaching Pledge This Week

The WLE Coaching Pledge aims to support women within primary and secondary schools access leadership roles. Female teachers at all stages of their career are invited to have access to a volunteer coach to help them develop and reach their potential.

Data shows that the teaching workforce is becoming increasingly diverse, however women remain under-represented in leadership. The latest ONS ASHE 2018 provisional data shows that the median pay gap in the UK between male and female ‘teaching and education professionals’ is 6.1%.

In Diverse Company, will be running a number of nationwide workshops across 2019 and 2020 to provide more information on what’s available to support women teacher’s development and progression, and to offer a chance to meet coaches who are supporting the pledge.  They have also worked with the Teaching Schools Council to improve the website making it easy for coaches and participants to get matched and access useful resources.

The Women Leading in Education team at Department of Education, said:

“Our partnership with In Diverse Company has the potential to transform the leadership journey for female teachers, ensuring talented and hard-working staff are able to fulfil their potential and reach senior leadership roles in schools across the country.”^[1] 

This coaching is free, flexible and entirely confidential and will support women teachers to move into more senior roles.  The scheme is particularly targeted at supporting those who are returning to teaching and/or who want to work part time or flexibly, however it is open to all women teachers across England.

There is a directory of experienced and enthusiastic coaches from both education and a range of other sectors that have pledged their time for free to support women to reach their goals. Participants and coaches will be matched depending on individual skills and requirements.

Johanna Beresford, CEO at In Diverse Company, comments:

“We are extremely excited and proud to be working with the Department of Education on this important work.  We are committed to supporting women to realise their enormous potential through the help and encouragement of others.”

A list of the areas where the coaching workshops will take place are now online as well as how those that qualify can sign up and find out more.