School-to-School Improvement Partnership Award Frequently Asked Questions

Which educational settings is the award appropriate for?
Primary, Secondary and Special Outstanding Schools, Teaching Schools, Academies and PRUs engaged in school-to-school support.

What aspects of school improvement does the award cover?
The award covers any area of school improvement, which complements the revised OFSTED inspection schedule. Settings choose ONE area for the award process. Whichever area of school improvement is chosen, all six generic aspects of school-to-school improvement partnership working have to be met, which address Government and the NCSL requirements. The generic aspects of school improvement include:

1. Strategic leadership
2. Professional development
3. Stakeholder involvement
4. Partnership working
5. Quality assurance
6. Disseminating the good practice

Each aspect has a series of good practice evidence descriptors, which enable those leading and engaged in the award process, to gather the relevant multi-media evidence electronically, to build a virtual portfolio for external assessment.

What evidence needs to be collected to build a ‘virtual’ electronic multi-media portfolio?
No more than two pieces of evidence are required per descriptor in each of the six aspects to build an electronic virtual portfolio for external assessment. The multi-media electronic evidence must highlight significant good practice in one area of school improvement, and this can include any of the following evidence on a USB flash drive: digital photographs, podcast episodes, blogs, video clips, electronic cameos or case studies of good practice, video diaries, relevant data, and signposting to appropriate documentation on the school, academy or PRU website and VLE.

How long does it take to work towards achieving the award?
There is no imposed set timescale. The setting decides how long to take in working towards achieving the award. The process may take between a year, to two years, dependent on the context, and level of school-to-school support required by the alliance or partner school.

Will the award process involve extra work?
No. Educational Consultancy & Management (ECM) Solutions has ensured the self-evaluation and evidence gathering process is manageable, as part of everyday working practice, thereby reducing bureaucracy and keeping paperwork to the bare minimum, and virtual.

Will the award contribute appropriate evidence for external accountability and quality assurance?
Yes. The School-to-School Improvement Partnership Award provides ‘real’ telling qualitative and quantitative evidence on the effectiveness, impact and outcomes of the school-to-school support partnership work, in the one area of school improvement.

What support will an educational setting receive throughout the award process?
The lead outstanding school or teaching school will receive an initial visit and a face-to-face or ‘virtual’ interim review of progress. A consultant from Educational Consultancy & Management (ECM) Solutions will provide ongoing email and telephone support throughout the process.

What does the final assessment entail?
The external assessment process comprises of an off-site assessment of the electronic multi-media portfolio of evidence, followed by a one day, on-site assessment to the lead outstanding setting or teaching school, and also to the partner alliance school, to observe first-hand the impact and outcomes of the school-to-school improvement partnership work in the one area. Meetings on both sites, with a range of relevant stakeholders, will enable the external assessor to hear first hand, about the success and effectiveness of the partnership working, in improving outcomes for pupils and staff.

What is the outcome following a successful external assessment?
When all six aspects of school-to-school improvement partnership working have been fully met, a final written report of findings from the external assessment will be produced. A glass plaque, framed certificate and a digital logo are awarded to the lead outstanding school/teaching school.

How long is the award valid for?
The School-to-School Improvement Partnership Award is valid for three years, and is renewable for a further three years, following reassessment, in a new area of school improvement.

How can an outstanding educational setting register their initial interest in the award?
If you wish to register for the School-to-School Improvement Partnership Award please go to the ‘Contact Us’ page on this website and use the secure online enquiry form. Alternatively, you may wish to speak to a consultant direct on 07857 605645.

The recent very high level of interest in this new award has resulted in places on the scheme filling up extremely quickly. Thus, to avoid any disappointment, please register as soon as possible to guarantee a place for the current academic year.

Educational Consultancy & Management (ECM) Solutions really looks forward to hearing from you and working with you in the near future.