Background
Coaching is a powerful technique that uses one-to-one discussions to help an individual learn, and to develop their self-awareness, skills or knowledge. Coaches use listening skills and questioning techniques to help coachees to find their own solutions. The coach therefore does not have to be an expert in the area the coachee chooses to work on.
During coaching, the coachee will be supported to develop a greater awareness of their strengths and areas for development and how they wish to move forward.
Although coaching and mentoring share similarities, they serve different purposes. Understanding the distinction is key to selecting the most suitable support for your needs:
- Coaching is focused on unlocking an individual’s potential to maximise performance. A coach does not need prior knowledge of your specific role or workplace. Instead, they facilitate learning and self-discovery rather than providing direct instruction.
- Mentoring typically involves a more experienced individual offering guidance based on their expertise in a particular field.
Learn more about Mentoring at St Mary’s
Coaching can provide valuable support in various situations, including:
- developing staff to prepare them for future roles
- enhancing skills, working relationships, and conflict resolution
- addressing underperformance effectively
- creating a reflective space that fosters innovation
- building resilience
- strengthening interpersonal skills, time management, and personal impact.
Internal Coaching at St Mary’s
Our Internal Coaching scheme is led by qualified coaches across the University and is available at no cost to all university staff.
Coaching is open to staff wishing to work on work-related goals and aspirations, for example to improve their performance, overcome challenges or to develop their careers.
The coachee and coach typically meet for six to eight sessions to work on the coachee’s goal(s). Coaching takes place in a non-judgemental, confidential and supportive environment. Together, they explore the possibilities and options to reach the coachee’s goal(s). In doing so, the coachee will work on overcoming any limitations or ‘blocks’ that stand in their way. Each session typically ends with self-designed actions taking the coachee closer to their goal.
Please note, it is mandatory to get your line manager’s approval before joining a coaching agreement.
How to Get Started
- Explore Our Coaches – Browse our list of internal coaches, read their bios, and choose a coach best suited to your needs.
- Register Interest – Complete the Coaching Register Interest Form, on DocuSign indicating your preferred coach.
- Coach Response – Your selected coach will review your request and respond accordingly.
- Schedule a Chemistry Call – Arrange a mutually convenient time for an initial 45-minute “Chemistry Call”. This introductory session helps both you and your coach determine if you are a good fit and how you may work together on your coaching objectives.
- Formal Agreement – If you decide to proceed after the Chemistry Call, both parties should complete the Coaching Agreement Form, which will be sent to Learning & People Development for our records. Both coach and coachee should retain a copy.
- Coaching Sessions – both parties should decide how many full coaching sessions will be most suitable to achieve coaching objectives. We suggest a minimum of 6 sessions and a maximum of 8 sessions to be undertaking within 3-6 months.
- Completion & Feedback – Once your coaching engagement ends, please notify us at learninganddevelopment@stmarys.ac.uk. You will receive an evaluation form to help us assess the impact of the sessions and provide feedback to our coaches.
- Long-Term Impact Review – A few months after your coaching sessions, we may follow up to assess the long-term benefits of the coaching experience and its influence on your professional development.
Register Interest Form
Coaching Agreement
Meet our coaches
Alicja is a Deputy Catering Manager with 20 years of experience working with large and versatile teams in a busy and demanding catering industry. She is qualified in Hospitality Management and recently completed her Level 5 ILM Coaching program.
She believes coaching principles, such as building trust and rapport, active listening, fostering accountability, providing constructive feedback, and supporting individual goal achievement, can be applied to her daily interactions.
Over the years, she has helped shape service standards and supported catering staff, including students, in their career development, assisting them in transitioning to their desired roles.
Alicja is passionate about helping individuals overcome limiting beliefs and develop the skills and confidence to achieve their goals. She offers a safe, confidential, and inclusive coaching space with sessions tailored to individual needs. Utilising various coaching tools, she aims to empower individuals and unlock their potential.
I’m a qualified Coaching Professional, having completed my level 5 apprenticeship with distinction in February 2025. I bring over a decade of experience in education, originally training as a primary school teacher and teaching in schools around the world. Since joining St Mary’s University as a Workplace Learning Lecturer in 2020, I’ve gained Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and completed a PGCAP, continuing my commitment to lifelong learning and development.
My coaching approach is centred around creating a safe, inclusive space where colleagues feel comfortable expressing themselves and working towards meaningful personal and professional goals. I live and breathe the St Mary’s values of generosity of spirit, respect, excellence and inclusivity - and I like to bring these values and a good sense of humour to my sessions too.
I’m often praised for being able to adapt coaching sessions to the individual needs of each coachee, using tools like personal SWOT analysis, psychometric testing and values exploration to structure our conversations. I see coaching as a powerful space for reflection, and I place great importance on building self-awareness - including recognising and exploring the emotions that influence our choices and behaviour.
Whether you're seeking clarity, confidence, or simply time to think, I offer a warm and respectful coaching space to help you move forward. My role is to listen without judgement, ask helpful questions, and support you to take practical steps toward your goals - whatever they may be.
Ruth is Director of HR and Legal Services originally qualified as a solicitor and worked in the private sector as a litigation lawyer before joining the Government Legal Service as a civil servant. After working in various legal teams in Government Departments, she then moved into policy roles with a greater emphasis on people change and transformation. Ruth worked as a HR Director in the civil service before joining St Mary's University in 2023. Ruth is a Fellow of the CIPD. Ruth has an ilm Level 5 certificate in effective coaching and mentoring and has completed the Hult Ashridge Coaching for Leaders program.
Ruth says:
I believe in the positive impact of coaching and enjoy coaching to support others to improve opportunities for their personal and professional growth. Using coaching techniques and models, I encourage a positive mindset which helps generate new insights and perspectives to identify and achieve goals and objectives.
I maintain confidentiality to ensure a safe space to share information. I have worked in different sectors, organisations and professional functions both full and part time. My life experience and coaching qualifications equips me to provide an open-minded and empathetic approach.
We welcome individuals interested in becoming a coach within the University. If you are passionate about professional development and wish to contribute to our coaching culture, you can undertake a Coaching Apprenticeship to become a qualified coach.