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Primary School Leaders' Perspectives on Coaching Practices: A Preliminary Investigation

https://doi.org/10.55640/ijsshd-v02i08-01

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Dr. Lucas H. Oliveira ¹ , Dr. Mariana Souza ¹ ,

⁴ Centre for Educational Research, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

⁴ Faculty of Education, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Abstract

Coaching has increasingly been adopted in primary schools as a means to strengthen instructional practice, enhance professional learning, and improve student outcomes. This preliminary investigation examines primary school leaders’ perspectives on the role, benefits, and challenges of coaching practices within their institutions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of headteachers and senior leadership team members from diverse school contexts. Thematic analysis revealed that leaders perceive coaching as a valuable strategy for fostering teacher reflection, building confidence, and supporting collaborative cultures. At the same time, participants highlighted barriers to effective implementation, including time constraints, inconsistent coaching quality, and limited training resources. The study underscores the importance of clear role expectations, ongoing professional development, and leadership commitment to embed coaching sustainably. These findings provide an initial evidence base to inform policy and practice in the design of coaching programs in primary education settings.

Keywords

Primary Education, Instructional Coaching, School Leadership

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