This week we’re joined by football coach (and our website designer) Claire to explore what happens when the world of coaching meets the world of teaching. We talk about being “player first, not player led,” finding the balance between structure and freedom, and using individual challenges to stretch or support learners. Claire shares insights from coaching across age groups, from under eights to adult women’s teams, and explains how the STEP principle of adjusting space, task, equipment and players helps her adapt sessions in real time.

Jen and Francis draw powerful parallels to the classroom, reflecting on how teachers can apply similar approaches to differentiation, engagement and reflection. From the importance of knowing your learners to the value of feedback and planning for “what ifs,” this episode uncovers just how close coaching and teaching really are: same goals, different game.