DCG Success Stories

Taking the Level 5 Certificate in Professional Coaching Practice with Derby College Group has already influenced day to day practice for deputy head teacher Claire Hancox. 

Claire, who works at Pegasus School, a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) School in Caldwell, Derbyshire, only recently completed the course but is impressed at how beneficial she’s finding it. 

She said: “It’s been one of the most useful courses I’ve been on in a long while and it’s already informing how I hold meetings and structure supervision.

“My role is a fast-paced, 100 mph job, which my college tutor, Lesley, understood. She was fantastic and appreciated that life sometimes gets in the way, when like me you have a demanding job, a young family and your studies.

“On the odd occasion when things happened and I needed an extension, the flexibility was always there.” 

Claire joined Pegasus School in 2000, initially as a support worker and ‘immediately fell in love with the place and the children.’ 

She later qualified as a teacher, then went on to work towards a master’s degree in education, while raising her three children and working part time at the school 

She added: “Since becoming deputy head about six years ago, my role has changed. It’s now as much about developing the staff as it is about developing the children.

“I needed a different approach and the level 5 helped with that. It’s been  refreshing to do a course that focuses on personal skills. It’s also brought me right up to date on how today’s teaching graduates are taught as well as providing continuous professional development.” 

Part of the SENAD group Pegasus School caters for seven to 19 year-olds with moderate  to severe learning difficulties, autism and associated challenging behaviours. Offering day and residential places, it is set in several acres of countryside and has its own Forest School and farm.  

Claire, who has a particular interest in Physical Education in special schools added: “What I love best about this job is the children. The progress that the children make with us and the impact we have on their quality of life is amazing and that makes all the hard work worth-while!”