Steve Willshaw
Executive, group and team coach. Functional Fluency Provider and UK Functional Fluency Connector. New Level Results Associate Coach.
Introduction video
Steve WillshawCertified Coach
Steve WillshawCertified Coach
Steve WillshawCertified Coach
Steve WillshawCertified Coach
Steve WillshawCertified Coach
Steve Willshaw is a highly experienced Executive Coach, working with individuals, groups and teams to help them have their best year ever. He works with clients to define what their successful outcome could look like and then supports them to identify their values and the limiting beliefs which have held them back in the past. Out of this process comes a new empowering belief and a set of goals which will enable you, the client, to fulfil your successful outcome and have your best year ever. Steve is an Associate Coach with New Level Results and uses their award winning platform, The Curve, which enables clients to track their progress towards their goals. The Curve is unique in providing clear data on return on investment so that clients and their employers can see the impact of their investment.
Steve is highly qualified, having completed an ILM Level 7 qualification in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. He is an accredited practitioner with the EMCC and has been a licensed Functional Fluency and TIFF (the Temple Index of Functional Fluency) provider since 2011. Since 2021 he has been the UK Connector for Functional Fluency International, bringing together and growing the network. He is also a trained facilitator for the Functional Fluency 'Get on the Mat' tool. . Steve works with clients to help them see that their patterns of behaviour are not fixed and that the positive patterns can be maximised and the negative ones minimised, helping them to make better use of their finite time and energy.
Additionally Steve is an accredited provider for a tool called Motivation Buttons, which identifies what motivates a client to work to their full potential and compares this with the results of C level executives from across Europe. Thus means that Steve can pick from a range of very different tools to ensure that his approach best matches the needs of every client.
Steve has worked extensively with school leaders in the past, including Headteachers and Executive Headteachers. He has also worked with social workers and leaders in the medical profession as well as with SMEs and entrepreneurs. He is experienced in leading group facilitation sessions and helping teams to focus their work more effectively. He provides a range of individual, team and group coaching solutions to help you and those around you to thrive.
So, work with me and gain:
Clarity: Identify your core motivators and align them with your goals.
Confidence: Embrace your strengths and address areas for growth.
Connection: Build stronger, more meaningful relationships with your team.
Empowerment: Lead with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
CURRENT SELF-EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
UK Functional Fluency Connector for Functional Fluency International (2021 - now)
Associate Coach with New Level Results (2024 - now)
Executive Leadership coach, Greenwood Academies Trust (2025 - now)
Our Lady of Lourdes Trust leadership coach (2025 - now)
Headteacher coach with Hexagon Care Services (2024 - now)
Headteacher coach with Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust (2024 - now)
Associate Consultant (secondary English) with NASBTT (2021 - now)
Leading the Secondary Subject Networks and recording videos with educational thinkers for Myatt and Co platform (2021 - now)
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE 2021 - 2024 Leadership training coach for Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (2021 - 2024)
2016 - 2023 Secondary academy headteacher performance management external adviser
September 2015 – August 2021 Senior Lead for English, the Priory Federation of Academies Trust. Responsible for English teaching across the Trust’s 6 secondary schools. Developed the Trust’s approach to teaching and learning, Maximizing Learning and CPD, Maximizing Effectiveness. English Subject Lead and Programme Tutor for the Lincolnshire Teaching School Alliance’s SCITT. Senior Leader with the Lincolnshire Teaching School Alliance, planning, publicising and delivering CPD programme for 25 secondary schools and running the Alliance Headteacher Performance Management programme. Peer Improvement Pathway Hub Lead for LTSA.
September 2013 – August 2015, Education Officer, The States of Guernsey, responsible for three 11-16 schools in Guernsey and the 5-16 school on Alderney
September 2006 – August 2013, Senior School Improvement Consultant, Lincolnshire School Improvement Service. Responsible for achievement and attainment in English, which have consistently improved faster than national rates. Organised Heads of English Forum meetings, training provision for English teachers and work with English departments on contracts of targeted support. Contribute to planning and delivery of range of courses for senior managers and headteachers.
1996-2006 Head of English in two comprehensive schools
2003-4 whole school KS3 Co-ordinator and 2004-6 Assessment for Learning and Leading Edge Development group Co-ordinator
1990-1996 Second in English in three comprehensive schools
1989-1990 Teacher at school for emotionally and behaviourally disturbed boys
1985-1989 English teacher and Head of Year 9 at comprehensive school in inner London
BA (Hons) in English from University College, London
Postgraduate Certificate of Education, Westminster College, Oxford
MA in Education Management, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln
ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching and Mentoring
Trained Functional Fluency and TIFF provider
Reviews
Throughout the coaching plan, Steve has guided me to set personal and professional goals that have directly impacted how effective I am as a leader. Steve’s calm and insightful approach to the sessions gave me the space and time needed for this happen, in what is an extremely busy schedule as a leader!
J Bailey
Steve’s coaching was superb. He used a range of techniques as well as intuitive chats to help me explore how I could create the books I want to and to get them into the hands of people who might read – and buy – them. I have come away with a new focus and a new way of structuring my days and weeks and months. Simple things that have had a massive impact. As a slight cynic about coaching, I was delighted with the outcome and the process. ​ Tom Palmer, author of Resist and After the War.
Functional Fluency and TIFF have been very positive for my school, enabling me and my colleagues to grow as teachers, leaders and people. It has clarified what I feel, helped me to see the bigger picture and given me things to work on but it has also helped me to have belief and certainty in my “be yourself” approach. As a result, I am going to try and stop taking things too personally and, instead, provide good structure to help colleagues solve their own problems. ​ Simon Evans, Headteacher, The Priory Pembroke Academy, Lincoln
Working with Steve on Functional Fluency has made such a positive difference in both my work and personal life. It’s helped me focus on my strengths and use them to improve in areas where I wasn’t as effective. I’ve become a better leader and communicator, and overall, it’s really helped me grow.
Kellie Knight, Acting Headteacher, Sycamore House School