School Improvement Strategy

They are coming thick and fast from the DCSF now! Alongside the National Challenge, the DCSF have also launched their School Improvement Strategy, intended for all schools in England.

The government is talking a lot about the 21st century school: a learning centre for the community where students receive personalised learning by working across professional boundaries and with parents. The ambition, it says, is to achieve this for every school.

Key points:
- Educational achievements to be measured by attainment and progress.
- There is a correlation between attainment and progress, however some schools are good at attainment and poor at progression ('coasting').
- Each school is responsible for their own improvement and will need to work with others to achieve.
- Some schools can support others and the system is to be freed to allow this to occur.
- Ensuring students leave primary school competent in English and Maths.
- A focus on the school's teaching and learning, through the school leadership, teachers, school improvement plan.
- Extension of programmes like Teach First and Transition to Teaching to ensure diversity and best talent within the school workforce.
- Teachers performance management and professional development will be linked.
- Ensuring governing bodies are fit for purpose and assisting school development.