Case Studies
Examples of how our coaching and development work translates into practice and impact.
The case study below demonstrates how Coaching in Education (CiE) partners with education providers and organisations to deliver meaningful, context-driven coaching and development.
Featured Case Study
Avicenna Foundation
A flagship leadership development and coaching partnership supporting high-potential undergraduate scholars from underrepresented backgrounds.
Sector
Charity / Higher Education / Leadership Development
Focus
Leadership development, 1:1 coaching, social mobility, widening participation
Partnership Type
Flagship leadership development and coaching delivery partner
Partnership Story
How the work takes shape
The partnership moves from need and alignment, through programme design, into long-term scholar development and measurable outcomes.
Context
The Avicenna Foundation is a national charity committed to supporting high-potential undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. Its mission is to develop future leaders by providing structured support, mentorship and development opportunities throughout students’ university journeys.
The Foundation required a delivery partner with:
- Deep experience in education and leadership development
- The ability to work with diverse cohorts across multiple universities
- A values-aligned approach to social mobility and widening participation
- Capacity to deliver long-term, high-quality coaching at scale
CiE’s Role
Coaching in Education was appointed as the flagship leadership development and coaching delivery partner for the Avicenna Foundation.
CiE is responsible for:
- Designing the leadership development framework
- Delivering structured leadership programmes across cohorts
- Providing long-term 1:1 coaching for high performing undergraduate students
- Supporting scholars’ personal, academic and professional development
- Working closely with the Foundation’s leadership and trustees
CiE’s role extends beyond delivery to include programme design, quality assurance and strategic input.
Approach
CiE developed a bespoke, multi-year leadership development and coaching model tailored to the needs of Avicenna scholars.
Key elements include:
- Structured leadership development sessions aligned to a clear curriculum
- Regular 1:1 coaching focused on self-awareness, confidence and progression
- Reflective practice through journaling and goal-setting
- Support for academic transitions, employability and career readiness
- Strong safeguarding, boundaries and quality assurance processes
The approach balances structure with flexibility, allowing scholars to receive personalised support while maintaining consistency across cohorts.
Impact & Outcomes
Through this partnership, CiE has supported multiple cohorts of undergraduate scholars across a range of universities.
Outcomes include:
- Increased confidence, leadership capability and self-belief
- Improved clarity around academic and career pathways
- Sustained engagement with development over multiple years
- Positive feedback from scholars, coaches and Foundation leadership
- A scalable and sustainable model for long-term leadership development
The partnership demonstrates how coaching can be embedded effectively within widening participation and leadership programmes.
Why This Partnership Works
This partnership has been successful because of:
- Strong alignment of values and mission
- CiE’s education-led coaching expertise
- A long-term, relational approach rather than short-term intervention
- Clear governance, safeguarding and accountability
- Ongoing collaboration and refinement
The Avicenna Foundation partnership remains a central example of CiE’s outreach and delivery model in practice.
Working with CiE
If you would like to explore how Coaching in Education could support your organisation, learners or leaders, we would welcome a conversation.