About Frances Robertson

Professional Profile

 As an experienced senior leader I am coaching executive and senior leaders from within and out of education.  With a track record of strategic leadership from within education (Headteacher of two schools) and finance (District Manager of two bank branches as well as experience of private client work). As a Headteacher I was secretary of the local branch of the NAHT and of a local group of Headteachers who met regularly. 

I bring these experiences and knowledge to the coaching sessions. 

 My Coaching Experience / Skills

Within my role as a strategic leader, I have always adopted a coaching approach which empowers people to work out the problems by themselves. My role has been to be the facilitator not the instructor. I bring this to the coaching sessions. I am qualified to ILM level 7 which is fully certificated.  My experience involves coaching executives and other senior leaders. I have been working with Headteachers and Deputy Heads as well as leaders from other industry. 

Each client has their own unique challenges and is their own unique person. I very much work with this in mind.  I can assist you with leadership issues - to problem solve and achieve your goals. This may be of a professional nature, however for me, the whole person attends the coaching session. I do not ignore that.  I have spent the last 18 years moving people forward, helping them to grow and develop personally and professionally. This is my driver and motivator - watching this growth is a privilege.  

My Coaching Specialisms 

I focus on the development of the whole person and specifically:

Enabling headteachers and school leaders to find time and space to think strategically 

Explore leadership issues

To find clarity in your decision making

Support managing relationships 

Support you with your work life balance

Consider whether promotion is for you and if so how to go about it

Review future possibilities in your career

Included in this, is coaching through challenge and providing support for burnout, confidence building, having difficult conversations and imposter syndrome. 

With ever more complex challenges it is so important for leaders to look after themselves. My goal is to ensure that my clients feel supported and feel a positive difference which impacts on them both both professionally  and personally.

After coaching they have felt more confident, in control, energised and connected.  Clients have commented that I have provided them with "time to talk through and explore issues". I provide "space for positioning" so clients can "see what they need to do". described as "so valuable having someone to talk to who is not connected" and " an opportunity to think strategically in a relaxed way". 

With me you come first. I will go that extra “mile” to ensure you can grow and develop.   

Testimonials ( see Home page too)

 “Really positive, really pleased I found you. Your professionalism and warmth is a nice balance”. (NM  Deputy Head 2022) 

 “This has been a good relationship – I am happy with interactions and how you come across… It feels relaxed, you do not come across as someone who knows it all. I feel I can open up and be straight with you. I am not painting a different picture than the reality”. (JM  Headteacher 2022) 

  “My experience has been entirely positive, I appreciated the e-mail follow-ups and also the sharing of additional links/articles. It felt over and above and that Frances was invested in my progress”. (SB Director  Construction Company 2022) 

Professional Memberships 

 I belong to the Institute of Leadership and Management which is a professional body that helps people and businesses who are focussed on and engaged in learning and leadership.  I comply with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council ( EMCC) code of ethics.  The coaching sessions are totally confidential and being honest with each other is part of our contracting together. I undertake a harmonisation session to begin with which allows you to ensure I am the right coach for you and that we can work together. This provides an opportunity to discuss what you want to achieve from coaching, the number of sessions you wish to undertake, the length of the sessions and the format of them. 

 Qualifications 

My Psychology degree has enabled me to be vigilant to the mental health and well being needs of both myself and those I work with. Most importantly it assists me in finding ways to support leaders. 

 I recently received this; “I truly am so thankful for all your support during these tough times. In the words of Albert Schweitzer, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us””.   

My coaching qualifications are to ILM level 7. I continue to develop and update these skills. See below for this. I have been informed that I “listened to...thoughts and feelings whilst asking questions to make me think”. In addition one client commented "it is so valuable to talk to someone not connected to what I do. It allows me to talk through, explore and tease out my thoughts".    

I have completed an Introduction to Counselling course via Birbeck University, which although NOT the same as coaching does require the same degree of true listening skills and thoughtful questioning. 

I am fully aware of the need to ask questions to help you think and reflect so as to make your own decisions and to truly consider your options and reflect on your way forward. It is not my intention to tell you what to do. I will though assist you to reflect and think things through clearly.  

I have training in providing supervision for designated safeguarding leads. I am a qualified Mental Health First Aider so have a good understanding of questions to ask when mental health is vulnerable and importantly how to take early prevention steps.  

About me

 I have spent many years feeling privileged to be part of the process of supporting individuals to grow and develop. I too enjoy reflecting and growing as an individual. I set up HeadsConnect as a way of connecting with people to continue this journey.   I have two grown up children and very much enjoy my friends and family time. I like attending the theatre, live sport such as football, tennis and cricket and enjoy visiting art galleries and reading.   

Would you like to know a bit more?

Should you wish to know more please contact me via the above link "contact" or click on the text box below where we can arrange a free 30 minute conversation.  
 

I truly look forward to hearing from you and assisting you to find the difference that makes the difference either for yourself or your team.