North Lincolnshire School Improvement and Learning Services
How do we work in partnership to achieve high quality outcomes for children and young people?
The Core Function of the School Improvement and Learning Services Team
The School Improvement and Learning Services Team works in line with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) code of practice for Local Authorities (LAs). The priorities for service development and delivery under the code of practice are published in detail in the Children and Young People's Plan, services plans and the Leaning Services 'Making A Difference Plan'. LA School Improvement Officers monitor the performance of all schools using a wide range of data available from Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), DCSF and from the school's own evaluation of its performance (SEF). The current key monitoring activities are:
SIP Monitoring Visits
Every North Lincolnshire school is assigned a School Improvement Partner (SIP) employed by the Local Authority to deliver the National Agenda for School Improvement. Guidance on the SIP function is contained in the North Lincolnshire SIP Handbook available to all schools. The School Improvement Partner will discuss aspects of the Children and Young People's Plan during the course of the process.
The SIP monitoring visits will take place according to the DCSF guidance and the guidance in the SIP handbook for North Lincolnshire.
Autumn Term
The autumn term visit will focus on analysis and discussion of the schools' most recent performance data and agree challenging targets for future performance. This will include a discussion of progress towards achieving targets already set and also a discussion relating to progress with priorities identified at the previous SIP visit. The conversation will include discussion of the performance of and targets to be set for different groups which will include those with learning Difficulties and Disabilities and Children in Care. The SIP will also carry out the Headteacher's Performance Management in all schools and also carry out a 'light touch' evaluation of the schools performance management systems and its impact upon raising achievement. The &'Single Conversation' will focus on the evidence relating to the school's performance and key documentation provided by the school. Following the discussion the LA will then agree with the school the support and intervention needed from the range of sources: National Strategies, Service Level agreement and any other support commissioned independently by the school.
Spring Term
The spring term SIP visit will focus on progress against the actions determined after the autumn term report, any changes to the school's circumstances and the evidence from examinations and teacher assessments relating to progress towards achieving agreed targets.
The discussion will also focus upon progress with key local and national priorities identified by strategy managers and intervention strategies in place to support different groups of students. There may also be discussion of issues relating to specific schools or groups of schools.
Progress with priorities will be reviewed and the impact of LA support. Further support will be brokered where this is required.
The LA tariff account of the SEF judgements for each subject and aspect of the school's work will be updated from the SIP visit. The SIP report will outline areas for development
Summer Term
The summer term SIP visit will concentrate on progress since the last visit, updates to the SEF, the proposed School Development plan priorities for the next academic year and the support required to deliver these priorities.
The visit will also discuss and agree the SIPS annual report to the Governing Body. In each of the visits there is opportunity for the school to discuss issues that are of particular concern to the Headteacher.
Link Adviser Visits
All schools who purchase LA support via the SLA have a Link Officer as well as a SIP. The Link Adviser offers pastoral support to the school and carries out LA visits that are not related directly to performance monitoring. Such focused visits will include the Quality Assurance of the LA carried out via the Audit Commission survey and any internal Quality Assurance procedures the LA may use to assess its own effectiveness.
Records of all Visits
Visit reports (LS1s and SIP reports) are completed after every visit to the school by an LA officer or SIP. The form states the reasons for the visit, the nature of the intervention by the LA and any agreed actions. Each visit is aligned to an LA and Council priority. Visit forms are sent to Chairs of Governors unless they contain confidential information about a member of staff. Governing Bodies receive records of LA visits each term to enable them to monitor the school's activities and performance.
Other information