Using The 3 ‘C’s To Unlock Student Success: A Closer Look At A Coaching Approach To Personal Tutoring

Lisa Gannon

doi:10.71179/77ebct86

Authors

Lisa Gannon Leeds Trinity University Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9360-3727

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71179/77ebct86

Keywords:

Student Success, Coaching

Abstract

An environment of high-quality personalised and successful personal tutoring supported through effective staff development, reflection, and evaluation can help universities to meet their regulatory requirements, such as the Office for Students’ B Conditions, specifically B1, 2 and 3. These conditions stipulate providers must establish practices which ensure “high quality, reliable and positive outcomes for all students” (Office for Students, 2022).
The reflective process of coaching can help support students to address issues in their personal, academic, or professional life (ICL, 2023). Effective coaching can provide a forum for student stories to be turned into strategies, which will enhance the student experience, leading to success.
The training of staff and delivery of this approach to personal tutoring across HE is varied and inconsistent. Through a synthesis of coaching theory and models, this paper takes a practical look at ‘how’ coaching practices can be applied within a personal tutoring session. It provides a practical framework and methodology for those wanting to adopt a coaching approach for the first time, based around the three ‘C’s – ‘Connecting’, ‘Contracting’ and ‘Conversations’.
This framework has been adopted in what has become mandatory training for all personal tutors based at one UK HE institution and is used as a structure for interactions with and development of students.

Author Biography

Lisa Gannon, Leeds Trinity University

Dr Lisa Gannon is an Associate Professor and researcher with strong connections to professional practice. Her approach is grounded in coaching and holistic people development, which began with her experience as an international gymnast. She later transitioned into coaching, guiding athletes from recreational and disability levels to world-class competitors.

In addition to her academic expertise and publications on bone health, Lisa is a qualified corporate coach and has supported senior executives from a wide range of sectors and within her role as a Non-Executive Director for a National Governing Body (NGB). These experiences led to the creation of an innovative project, where she has spearheaded mandatory staff training courses across Leeds Trinity University, focused on implementing a 'coaching approach to personal tutoring.'

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