AISL Academy
Growth Mindset: How to get out of your own way
A practical, educator‑focused course on adopting a growth mindset, overcoming personal and cultural barriers, and applying seven strategies to strengthen confidence, resilience and professional wellbeing.
About This Course
This course explores how educators can apply a growth‑mindset approach to strengthen resilience, confidence and professional wellbeing. Through relatable school‑based examples, reflective prompts and practical strategies, participants will examine how mindset shapes daily practice, how internal and cultural barriers hold us back, and how small intentional habits can help us “get out of our own way”. The course emphasises self‑awareness, psychological safety and sustainable professional growth.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Recognise the difference between fixed and growth mindsets and how they influence behaviour
- Identify personal and environmental factors that shift your mindset
- Challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts to support growth‑oriented thinking
- Apply practical strategies to strengthen and model a growth‑mindset culture in your school
About the Speaker
Pam Cottman
Pam Cottman is a coach, trainer and speaker helping people build resilience and confidence. A former Assistant Headteacher specialising in pastoral care turned ICF PCC coach, she brings more than 20 years of experience to her work supporting adults and children, leaders and groups, workplaces and schools – both primary and secondary, across private and state sectors in the UK and internationally.
Drawing on her experience and research in schools, Pam developed the Core four of resilience – a framework to help people reconnect with their values, strengths and purpose and learn how to navigate change, challenge, self-doubt and stress with more clarity and confidence.
Pam has collaborated with AISL Harrow International Schools since 2000, supporting new staff and their families with the transition to their new roles and environments, and creating online content for staff looking to build their resilience.