School Development Adviser (SDA) Spring Term Agenda

A copy of the spring term SDA agenda and Record of Visit (RoV) is available by clicking here. The format of the record of visit has been revised in response to feedback from last term's visits, and is part of the next stage in the preparation for the introduction of Primary School Improvement Partners (SIPs) from April.

The focus of this term's visit is self-evaluation and development planning. SDAs will work with schools to check that the process of self-evaluation is robust, involves relevant members of the school community, and produces accurate and well-evidenced outcomes. One key outcome of the visit will be to record the summary grades - as set out in the RoV - and to agree the Local Authority grade and support/intervention level as set out in the booklet Support, Challenge and Celebration: Towards Excellence for Norfolk Learners.

The RoV sets out the purposes of the visit as:

	To validate the school's self-evaluation process and procedures.
	To highlight and celebrate specific areas of outstanding practice.
	To discuss and agree SEF grades and agree the Local Authority grade.
	To consider the effectiveness of the school's use of targeted NPS intervention funding.
	To discuss, with the Chair, the governors' self review systems.
	To discuss issues regarding the transition to School Improvements Partners (SIP).

The RoV sets out the following framework of activities:

	The SDA will discuss, with the headteacher and chair of governors, the SEF, the evidence cited and the judgements made.
	The SDA and headteacher will agree the overall LA grade for school performance.
	To discuss key tasks needed to improve provision, linked to the School Development and Improvement Plan.
	To remind each school about the invitation to attend a cluster meeting for heads and chairs this term to hear about the implications of the change from the School Development Adviser system to SIPS in April 2008.

Headteachers are asked to pre-populate the SEF matrix on the ROV in preparation for the SDA visit.