Senior Adviser (Primary)

Direct Dialling : 01603 433276 ext.192

28^th June 2000

Dear Headteacher

You will, no doubt, be aware of the many national and local initiatives which reflect the importance of the role of senior managers in promoting improvement in our schools. The developing arrangements for performance management and the LEA’s model for school self-review are just two such examples. Clearly, the quality of the leadership and management are key factors in the success of our schools and the Advisory Service is committed to supporting headteachers and senior staff in providing a rich and challenging learning environment.

As part of our own continuous self-evaluation process, we have been reviewing the programme for supporting headteachers and senior managers in primary schools and our discussions have included:

• a review of Priority 8 in the Education Development Plan: To increase the capacity of school governors and managers to provide leadership and effective management in Norfolk’s schools;
• comments from the evaluations of management courses;
• issues emerging from headteachers’ experiences of the Leadership Programme for Serving Headteachers;
• feedback from discussions between headteachers and review and development advisers;
• issue identified through the appointment of new headteachers;
• the DfEE national standards for headteachers;
• the evaluation criteria for leadership and management in the new OFSTED inspection handbook.

A number of important points have emerged from this review which will influence the support we provide for leaders and managers:

• our programme of support will need to link effectively with national guidance and training, and the training provided by the county headteachers’ associations;

• our support should aim to meet the needs of managers at all levels, including subject leaders, senior teachers, deputy headteachers, headteachers and governors;
• headteachers may seek different levels and types of support depending on the length of their experience;
• headteachers may seek specific support related to the type of school they are working in, for example, the small school.

In the short term, we will be providing more professional development opportunities for 2000/01. Briefly, there are additional activities concerned with:

• leading the development of effective teaching for successful learning;
• managing change;
• support for the development of post LPSH initiatives;
• the role of the deputy headteacher;
• opportunities for visits to schools in other LEAs;
• the beginning of our involvement in international study opportunities (more details to follow).

In the longer term, we would like to develop further our partnership with headteachers by setting up a working group to help guide the development of the leadership and management training and support programme. This group will focus on specific issues related to the DfEE national standards, the OFSTED criteria, and issues specific to Norfolk’s schools. These are likely to include:

• providing clear educational direction for the development of the school;
• evaluating and promoting school performance, including data analysis and target setting;
• developing effective teaching and learning;
• promoting curricular opportunities, personal development and effective partnerships with parents and others;
• making best use of resources, including staff and other learning resources, and managing financial resources;
• maximising the potential of small schools;
• linking management development to accreditation through partnership work with universities.

Members of the working group will be:

Elaine Aylmer – Headteacher, Frettenham First School

Dominic Cragoe – Headteacher, Redcastle Furze First and Middle School

John Lees – Headteacher, Eaton Hall School

Lee Stevens – Reffley Community Primary School

Angela Stephenson – Headteacher, Primary School

Maggie Broad – The Advisory Service

Monica Conley – The Advisory Service

Kevin Cowan – The Advisory Service

Roger Eagle – The Advisory Service

This group will meet for the first time early in the Autumn Term and is likely to meet termly thereafter. The group will report through the ANE process to the School Improvement Group.

Our aim is to provide the continuing professional development opportunities which will help you, as leaders and mangers, to promote high quality educational provision. Our belief is that this is best achieved through working in partnership with you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss further any of the issues raised in this letter.

Yours sincerely,

 Fred Corbett

Assistant Director (Advisory Services)