Oxford Co-operative Training Scheme

Oxford Homeless Pathways
Registered Charity Number  297806
This website was last updated on 23 December  2011
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OCTS Trainers - Sarah Grylls

All my work is based on a persistent fascination with how the best possible learning can be encouraged – what happens within and between individuals, and how do groups of colleagues learn and make changes together?  Over the years I have developed my own approach, which means that whether I am acting as a trainer, coach, consultant or evaluator, I aim for:

Authenticity – grounding what we do and say in reality and in our genuine feelings and experiences;  being open about mistakes and uncertainty so we can use them as wonderful springboards for exploration and growth;  using our own words and actively unpacking the jargon and all the specialist language we are bombarded with.

Autonomy – using our own experience and learning needs as the starting point;  becoming self-aware and able to choose our own learning priorities;  developing skills and confidence to learn more without support or direction.

Rigour – accepting that while learning should be exciting and is usually enjoyable, it isn’t always “fun” – sometimes it is challenging and even gruelling;  having a go, taking risks, and then reflecting coolly on what worked and what didn’t;  believing that the facts matter, that quantitative and qualitative go hand in hand;  being prepared to listen to feedback and above all being open to changing our opinions and behaviour.

Creative Relationships – respecting each other, being interested enough to listen properly, taking our turn for attention, supporting our colleagues as they learn;  challenging, imagining, laughing.

The kind of work I do includes:

 

Training:  in-house and open courses on a wide range of themes related to learning, management, leadership, change

 

Facilitating:  one-off meetings and conferences of all sizes; on-going peer groups, action learning and staff groups who are planning strategy or change

 

Evaluating:  small and large projects and programmes, either as external evaluator or supporting internal evaluation

 

Tutoring, coaching and mentoring: to individuals with specific learning or developmental goals related to their work.

 

Writing:  course design and materials, reports for internal or external use.

 

OCTS Courses

Evaluating Projects and Programmes

Demystifying Learning Programmes

 

I have been based in Oxfordshire for more than 25 years, beginning as training officer in social services and then moving into voluntary sector adult learning with the WEA.   I had 15 years’ experience as a tutor, organiser and senior manager there, before becoming freelance in 2001.  Since then I have worked nationally as a consultant, trainer, coach and evaluator to organisations in the learning and skills sector.    This has included a wide range of work with voluntary and community organisations, a s well as with localauthorities and colleges.