The Steplab Certificate in Coaching Leadership, 2025-2026

We’re recruiting for our fourth cohort of participants on our flagship Certificate in Coaching Leadership (CCL) programme, commencing in September 2025. This programme is open to both existing Steplab users and leaders not yet using Steplab.

In its fourth year, we’re delighted that we’ve already supported over 500 leaders in the UK, Australia and elsewhere to certify as Steplab Coaching Leads. 

We’re immensely proud that those completing the programme have been supported to lead and deliver impactful PD. CCL graduates have had a transformative impact on the quality of teaching and learning and, most importantly, pupil outcomes in their schools and trusts. 

Due to unprecedented demand, we’ll be running two cohorts in 2025-2026 with in-person delivery in both Birmingham or London (dependent on your preference).

Interested? Email us - [email protected] - to get more information and an application form! 

Applications close on 6th June 2025 and spaces are limited.

100% of programme graduates rate the programme as good or very good (yes, you read that right!).

Stats are great but don’t always tell the whole story, so check out these testimonials from those who’ve completed the programme:

"I’ve learnt more this year, being part of the Certificate in Coaching Leadership, than in my last ten years in teaching and leadership combined."

Millie Denby, Deputy Headteacher, William Perkin CofE High School (Twyford CofE Academies Trust)

"The Steplab Certificate in Coaching Leadership has made a transformational impact on my understanding about how effective professional development can be used to drive school improvement."

Olivia Page, Trust Director of Professional Development, Orion Education

"My knowledge and understanding of how to design and implement an effective professional development programme has improved immensely as a direct result of the Certificate and as such, my ability to effectively lead on coaching at both a school and Trust level has developed in such a way that the impact is clear to see."

Helen Lisseman, Teaching and Learning Lead - Primary, Oak MAT

• 1.
  Both users and non-users of Steplab
• 2.
  Anyone with responsibility for the professional development of a group of staff in a school or trust
• 3.
  Potential PD leaders preparing to take on responsibility for coaching and PD

Past graduates include Lead Practitioners, Assistant Headteachers, Deputy Headteachers, Headteachers and Trust Directors.

• 1.
  How to be a great instructional coach
• 2.
  How to recruit, train and support a team of coaches
• 3.
  How to design coaching systems 
• 4.
  How to design and lead impactful PD programmes

• 1.
  World class training - hear from experts, see best practice, visit different contexts, and develop new approaches that you can apply to your context
• 2.
  Unparalleled peer support - work closely with the brightest and most supportive peers to motivate, provide feedback and help you make change happen in your schools
• 3.
  Rigorous but reasonable experience - we’ll push you to think hard and improve your practice, but we’ll appreciate your busy role and not waste a minute of your time

Our programme takes a blended approach to learning, with:

• 1.
  Independent study
• 2.
  3 x in-person days in London or Birmingham (dependent on preference)
• 3.
  1 x school visit
• 4.
  Regular virtual group calls with your peers
• 5.
  All participants are given access to the Steplab platform

Pre-reading: July 2025

Birmingham in-person delivery dates:

Module 1 Launch: Tuesday, 23rd September 2025

Module 2 Launch: Wednesday, 11th January 2026

Module 3 Launch: Monday 27th April 2026

OR 

London in-person delivery dates:

Module 1 Launch: Wednesday, 24th September 2025

Module 2 Launch: Thursday, 12th January 2026

Module 3 Launch: Tuesday 28th April 2026

For schools using Steplab, the programme costs £995 (+VAT and a small booking fee) per delegate for a year’s learning. 

For non-partner schools, the programme costs £1095 (+VAT and a small booking fee), per delegate for a year’s learning and includes a Steplab licence for four users.

Exclusive discounts are available as part of trust partnerships or for multiple delegates from one organisation.

Applications are now open but demand is high, so get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Applications close Friday 6th June 2025.

Simply, drop us an email ([email protected]) and we’ll get back to you with some further course details and an application pack.

We can’t wait to have you join our next cohort - see you in September!