Results

What changes in practice.

Professional development is ultimately about what changes in practice, not certificates collected, but the difference it makes to the people you work with.

Over many years, Fiona has worked with instructors and learners whose experiences provide genuine evidence of how coaching, communication, and behavioural approaches can influence confidence, understanding, and professional practice.

Featured Results

Selected evidence.

I have been instructing for 30 years I was very sceptical of coaching as a new method of teaching learner drivers. If you want to learn about driver coaching I am able to recommend Fiona highly.

Alan J Barker

BA DSA ADI

Instructor DevelopmentCoachingProfessional Development

After previously having a bad experience on learning to drive, I'm glad that I had Fiona as my driving instructor. Fiona is very reliable and professional but in the same time fun and can make me feel relaxed during the lessons. I appreciate her way of coaching instead of teaching, so I can actually learn to be in control of my driving instead of being told what to do and how to drive. I feel more confident now as I know that I didn't just learn to drive but I learn would recommend her for sure!

Rina P

Learner OwnershipCoachingConfidence
Case Studies

In depth.

Having the Tools and Learning How to Bring Them Together

Challenge

Steve Lay-Flurrie was an experienced instructor who already had many tools and techniques at his disposal. However, he found himself viewing the Standards Check as a collection of individual boxes to be ticked, rather than an integrated assessment of his teaching practice. Steve had previously failed his Standards Check, and his analogy for the experience was both vivid and revealing: "I felt a bit like Eric Morecambe. I was playing the right notes but not necessarily in the right order…..Fiona helped me see the standards check as a single issue not a list of boxes to be ticked."

Work with Fiona

Steve worked with Fiona on coaching and client-centred learning (CCL). He also attended the BTEC Level 3 Training (2 Day Course). "An excellent course and I would highly recommend it to any ADI who was looking for a different approach. Fiona with her mentoring skills was a dream to work with and her techniques for getting the best out of people really worked. Many thanks." Steve Lay-Flurrie LCGI DSA ADI In a separate comment, Steve described his experience returning to the industry after a break: "I have been an ADI for 10 years now but was off work for the past 2 and a half years. I have recently returned to the industry which has changed so much. Realising I needed to develop new skills in coaching and CCL, I searched for help which is when I had the pleasure of meeting Fiona. Fiona is a the most kind and down to earth individual I have met in a long time. She knows what she's talking about and it makes sense. Fiona is very approachable and easy to talk to and boosted my confidence levels which I was lacking. Her Coaching and CCL techniques, advice and encouraging vibes have helped me turn my lessons around which I and my learners thoroughly enjoy. Thank you for getting back to me even at 6am"

Change

Steve moved away from viewing assessment as a collection of individual boxes to tick, towards an integrated understanding of his teaching practice. He developed his coaching and CCL techniques, and his confidence grew.

Result

Steve achieved a Grade A in his Standards Check. Fiona's response to Steve's feedback captured the significance of the achievement: "You did such a great job evaluating your strengths, Steve. I am so pleased that you got what you truly deserve getting that 'A'." Steve also reported: "had my standards check today and thanks to your help got an A (47/51)." The primary story is not simply "instructor achieves Grade A"; it is the journey of an experienced professional who already had the tools, but learned how to bring them together into a coherent, integrated practice.

The Eric Morecambe reference is to the famous comedy sketch where Eric Morecambe, playing the piano for André Previn, insists: "I'm playing the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order."

From Grade 4 to Grade A: Professional Development with Fiona

Challenge

BM had substantial instructor experience but was nervous about the transition into the Standards Check environment. BM had previously achieved Grade 4 under the former Check Test system.

Work with Fiona

BM attended a seminar that Fiona ran and subsequently undertook a few hours of one-to-one training with her. "Right from the start Fiona was approachable and friendly and made me feel like we had been mates for ages. She is very knowledgeable with the standards check and coaching comes naturally to her." "Fiona was very engaging. She listened to all our stories, answered all our questions and eased all our worries." BM (Standards Check Training Day and One to One Sessions)

Change

BM described a significant shift in understanding, coaching approach, preparation and confidence: "I have gone from being one of the lowest grade instructors there is to being one of the highest and it is all thanks to Fiona."

Result

BM achieved a Grade A in the Standards Check, a measurable outcome that reflects the professional development undertaken with Fiona. "I had my standards check the other day and got a grade A. I highly recommend her training to anyone that needs help with coaching or standards check." The progression from Grade 4 under the former Check Test system to a Grade A under the Standards Check represents a significant professional milestone. The deeper story, however, is the development in coaching understanding and confidence that made it possible.

The Check Test was the previous DVSA assessment framework for Approved Driving Instructors, which preceded today's Standards Check.

Learner Evidence

Learning to think, not just drive.

Some of Fiona's learner testimonials describe being coached rather than simply instructed, asked rather than told, given greater control over their learning, and encouraged to think and understand. These experiences demonstrate how Fiona's philosophy developed through practical work over many years.

After previously having a bad experience on learning to drive, I'm glad that I had Fiona as my driving instructor. Fiona is very reliable and professional but in the same time fun and can make me feel relaxed during the lessons. I appreciate her way of coaching instead of teaching, so I can actually learn to be in control of my driving instead of being told what to do and how to drive. I feel more confident now as I know that I didn't just learn to drive but I learn would recommend her for sure!

Rina P

Learner OwnershipCoachingConfidence

Fiona, you have to be one of the funniest and friendliest people i know, whilst i had a few instructers in the past which didnt work well for the way i learn you was their quick to help me learn, what i liked so much in the way you tought me you didnt tell me what to do, you asked me what i wanted to do and we then discussed what i did well and what i needed to improve. I learnt very quickly and passed my test with ZERO minors. I am very happy about the way you made me feel confident and helped me to pass. You are a brilliant driving instructer and i wish you well for the future. Clauds xxx

Claudia

Learner OwnershipReflectionClient-Centred Learning
Full Archive

All evidence.

CC applied Fiona's Mind Mapping technique with a learner who wanted to drive on dual carriageways but was frightened by the speed and concerned about having enough time to stop or react. Using Mind Mapping, the learner explored their own thinking and identified that looking further ahead could provide more time to react, a solution the learner generated themselves, rather than being told by the instructor. Following the session, the learner felt less frightened about progressing onto the dual carriageway. The key outcome was that the Mind Mapping process helped the learner work through the feeling and identify their own practical response.

CC

Mind MappingClient-Centred LearningLearner Ownership

I have been instructing for 30 years I was very sceptical of coaching as a new method of teaching learner drivers. If you want to learn about driver coaching I am able to recommend Fiona highly.

Alan J Barker

BA DSA ADI

Instructor DevelopmentCoachingProfessional Development

After previously having a bad experience on learning to drive, I'm glad that I had Fiona as my driving instructor. Fiona is very reliable and professional but in the same time fun and can make me feel relaxed during the lessons. I appreciate her way of coaching instead of teaching, so I can actually learn to be in control of my driving instead of being told what to do and how to drive. I feel more confident now as I know that I didn't just learn to drive but I learn would recommend her for sure!

Rina P

Learner OwnershipCoachingConfidence

Fiona, you have to be one of the funniest and friendliest people i know, whilst i had a few instructers in the past which didnt work well for the way i learn you was their quick to help me learn, what i liked so much in the way you tought me you didnt tell me what to do, you asked me what i wanted to do and we then discussed what i did well and what i needed to improve. I learnt very quickly and passed my test with ZERO minors. I am very happy about the way you made me feel confident and helped me to pass. You are a brilliant driving instructer and i wish you well for the future. Clauds xxx

Claudia

Learner OwnershipReflectionClient-Centred Learning

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