Management Information Sheet

As you know, in June 2013, Ofsted inspected Norfolk County Council’s arrangements to support school improvement under a new inspection framework. One of the actions from the Inspection was to ‘commission an external, forward-looking review of the strategies ‘A Good School for Every Learner in Norfolk’ and ‘Norfolk to Good and Great’ to identify how these could rapidly lead to better outcomes.’ We are keen that such a review occurs early this term so that further recommendations may be included in our improvement plans. Therefore, we have commissioned a company called Isos Partnership to complete this review. Isos have a wealth of experience in this type of work, including having ex-Ofsted HMI expertise on their team and researchers who have previously worked at the Department for Education and Cabinet Office.

As part of their review, Isos researchers want to speak to some of Norfolk’s Headteachers and Chairs of Governors. They will be speaking to a selection of schools, not to every school, but I wanted to let you all know that this important piece of work is happening. Isos will be contacting schools directly during the next week to arrange telephone discussions with Headteachers and Chair of Governors about their experiences and awareness of the strategies. Isos have set aside time on Tuesday 24 – Thursday 26 September to make these phone calls. Following this, Isos researchers will speak with members of the Local Authority’s education section. Isos will then collate their research into a report and I look forward to sharing their findings with you in the coming months. I hope that you are able to make time to speak with Isos if requested. Thank you in anticipation of your support for this important stage in our improvement journey.