Management Information Sheet

Key Developments in our strategy for supporting school improvement; 'A Good School for Every Norfolk Learner'

MI Sheet TypeInformation
MI Number:269/13
Publication Date:15/11/2013 12:00:00
LA Contact:Gordon Boyd (01603 223492)
Audience:To All Norfolk Headteachers and Chairs of Governors

Key Developments in our strategy for supporting school improvement; 'A Good School for Every Norfolk Learner'

ISOS Review

This week, ISOS' review of 'A Good School for Every Norfolk Learner' will be published. ISOS has experience in working with the public sector and also in school improvement. The review makes positive reading and indicates that our arrangements have a strong chance of making a difference if we apply them consistently, rigorously and quickly. They comment in detail on the previously proposed role of Cluster Education Partners and the newly defined role of Education Challenge Partners is our response to this.

Education Challenge Partners

This function will be filled by Cambridge Education following a procurement process and will provide for all schools that we regard as 'requiring improvement' and a potential 'system leader' with detailed support, challenge and quality assurance of improvement plans. Denise Walker will be writing to relevant schools next week to highlight the allocation of Education Challenge Partners, initially to specific 'N2GG' schools.

Additional Capacity

I'm pleased that we've made two good senior appointments in Steve Godson, formerly Head at Cromer Junior School, and Sue Smith, currently Deputy Head at Neatherd High School. Steve will team up with Simon Morley to increase our influence in getting good schools to support others. Sue will assume a Senior Adviser role within our Education Intervention Service. Steve has already started and Sue will start in January.

Plans are also underway to supplement the work of our Intervention Service with additional expertise. Suitably qualified individuals - former school leaders and serving Ofsted inspectors in the main - are being sought on a temporary basis to provide an additional boost to those schools that cause us most concern.

Summary of activity initiated by the LA in respect of different categories of school

LA Category Activity
A Schools Causing Concern and judged inadequate by Ofsted
  • Delegated responsibility for finance and staffing taken back by the LA
  • LA works with school as it becomes a sponsored Academy
  • Half termly monitoring of pupil progress data by the LA
Schools Causing Concern to the LA
  • May be audited by the LA to determine whether a PSSWN might be issued
  • Half termly monitoring of pupil progress data by the LA
  • If PSSWN is issued, additional Governors will be installed and delegated responsibility returned to the LA for a fixed term.
D Schools in transition and temporarily causing concern to the LA
B Requires improvement and targeted by the LA for 'Norfolk to Good and Great
  • Challenge from Education Challenge Partner to ensure best possible improvement activities are commissioned
  • Commissioned activity undertaken
  • Education Challenge Partner plays a part in evaluating the impact of improvement activity
  • Half termly monitoring of pupil progress data by the LA
C
E Schools targeted to be system leaders by the LA and partners
  • Challenge from Education Challenge Partner to ensure best possible improvement activities are commissioned and led
  • Commissioned activity undertaken and led
  • Education Challenge Partner plays a part in evaluating the impact of improvement
F