FAQ


Executive coaching


What is executive leadership coaching?

It is a confidential space where you step out of urgency and examine the decisions, conversations, strengths and pressures shaping your leadership. The conversation is centred on your real context and leads towards action you can own. 


Who is it for?

I work with headteachers, principals, senior education leaders, CEOs and other senior leaders carrying complex responsibility for people, performance and organisational direction.


What happens in a coaching session?

We begin with the issue most present for you. I listen closely, ask structured questions, test assumptions and draw on strengths and organisational perspectives where they add value. By the end, we identify what has shifted and what you want to do next.


Is coaching the same as mentoring or consultancy?

Coaching develops your own thinking and judgement. Mentoring allows me to draw more directly on relevant leadership experience. Consultancy or strategic advice focuses on the organisation and may involve diagnosis, recommendations or defined outputs.

My work can include more than one mode, but we agree which mode we are using so the purpose remains clear.


How often do we meet?

Most ongoing clients meet every two to four weeks for 60 minutes. The frequency is adjusted to the purpose, timetable and level of support required.


Can I book one session?

Yes. A focused 60-minute executive coaching session costs £400 including VAT. It is designed for one live issue, decision or conversation.


Can Strengthscope®  be included?

Yes. Strengthscope® can be used at the beginning of a coaching partnership or introduced when understanding your sources of energy and overdrive risks would deepen the work. The assessment and debrief are priced separately and agreed in advance.


Confidentiality and sponsorship


Is coaching confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is central to the work. The usual exceptions relate to serious legal, safeguarding or wellbeing concerns and are explained when we contract.


What happens if my organisation is paying?

We agree the boundaries with you and the sponsor at the beginning. The organisation may receive agreed goals, broad themes and progress against outcomes. The content of the coaching conversation remains confidential unless you give permission for something to be shared.


Are sessions recorded?

No recording takes place unless you have explicitly agreed to it for a defined purpose.


Do you use AI?

With your explicit agreement, I can use an approved AI-supported process to create a concise summary of key insights and actions. This is optional. It is not used when you or your organisation do not permit AI processing.


Working with schools


What does a school partnership involve?

The scope depends on the question the school needs to answer. It may include document review, interviews, a diagnostic visit, leadership or governance meetings, a written report, coaching and follow-through.

Every engagement has an agreed purpose, scope, timetable, confidentiality arrangement and output.


Do you prepare schools for inspection?

Yes. I have over a decade of experience leading different international inspection frameworks. Support can include review against the standards, evaluation of evidence, interviews with leaders and governors and precise feedback on readiness and the communication of impact.

The appointed inspectorate remains responsible for every inspection judgement.


Do you work with CIS, COBIS or IB schools?

I work with international schools operating within a range of accreditation, authorisation and quality-assurance contexts. We clarify the exact framework, purpose and expertise required before the engagement is agreed. Where specialist framework knowledge beyond my scope is needed, I will say so.


Can you work with the whole senior leadership team?

Yes. Team work can include diagnostic interviews, a facilitated leadership day, Strengthscope® team profiles, work on strategic alignment and accountability, and follow-up coaching or review meetings.


Can you work with governors, owners or boards?

Yes. I support boards and school leaders to clarify roles, strengthen strategic challenge, improve reporting and connect assurance more closely to impact.


Practical arrangements


Do you work internationally?

Yes. I work with clients in the UK and internationally. One-to-one/team coaching is usually online. School reviews, leadership days and speaking engagements can be delivered online or in person.


Do you work in French?

Yes. I work in English and French.


How do we begin?

Book a 30-minute introductory conversation or email npowrie@nadinepowrie.com. We will discuss what is on your mind, what you would want from the work and whether the fit is right.


Nadine Powrie

Executive and Leadership Coach and Strategic Partner to International Schools

Space to think. Strengths to navigate. Courage to act.
npowrie@nadinepowrie.com