What is Adolescent Executive Functioning (EF) and Academic Coaching and How Can it Help My Teen?

Adolescence is a unique and often challenging stage of life, a developmental stage where young people are navigating rapid emotional, physical, cognitive and social changes while trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be. For many families, this can feel like a turbulent time, their teens crave independence, but they also need guidance, structure and support. That’s where adolescent coaching can be both a collaborative and supportive approach.

Unlike tutoring or therapy, adolescent EF and academic coaching is a proactive, solution-focused approach designed to help teens build resilience, independence and confidence. Through coaching, students learn to set and achieve goals, manage stress, develop self-awareness and strengthen the executive functioning skills that underpin success both inside and outside of the classroom.

How Coaching Helps Teens

Coaching is practical, strengths-based and tailored to the needs of each individual student. Some of the most common areas where coaching makes a difference include:

• Stress management & emotional regulation – coping strategies for exams, peer pressure and family changes

• Academic performance – organization, time management, study skills and goal setting

• Confidence building – developing a positive self-image and learning to handle setbacks

• Resilience – bouncing back from challenges and adapting to new environments

• Transitions – navigating moves, new schools and the leap to university or adulthood

• Family communication – strengthening relationships and improving dialogue at home

• Social skills – building healthy friendships, student autonomy and conflict-resolution strategies

• Future planning – exploring careers, pathways and long-term aspirations

The Oak & Ivy Approach

At Oak & Ivy Coaching, we support students aged 13–18 in developing the skills they need to thrive both academically and personally. Our model blends evidence-based frameworks with a holistic, relationship-driven philosophy:

• Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS): We work with students to tackle challenges together, addressing lagging skills with empathy and structure

• Motivational Interviewing (MI): Coaches use reflective listening and open-ended questions to build ownership and motivation

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Strategies are flexible and inclusive, accommodating diverse learning styles and needs

What makes us different is that we don’t just focus on academics, rather, we focus on the whole student, meeting them where they are and helping them grow into resilient, independent young adults.

Our Four Pillars of Support

Every coaching relationship at Oak & Ivy is tailored, but our approach is always grounded in four key areas:

• Root: Building routines, organisation and time management skills

• Reflect: Strengthening emotional regulation, self-awareness and self-management skills

• Rise: Developing self-advocacy and communication skills

• Reach: Cultivating long-term planning and motivation

Together, these pillars form the foundation for both academic success and personal growth.

Coaching for Teens and Families

We know that parents play a critical role in a student’s journey. That’s why we also offer parent coaching as an optional add-on. Our team partners closely with parents, helping them navigate the developmental complexities of these years.  Through this collaboration, families are able to align routines at home with the teen’s coaching goals, thus improving communication and supporting long-term growth together.

At Oak & Ivy, we believe every student has the capacity to succeed when given the right tools, guidance and trust. Coaching empowers teens to build the resilience and independence they need to thrive, not just in school but in life.

If you’d like to learn more about how coaching can help your teen, or to join one of our upcoming parent webinars, please visit https://www.oakandivycoaching.co.uk/event-list to register.