School-to-School Improvement Partnership Award

The new School-to-School Improvement Partnership Award has been developed in response to the latest Government and OFSTED requirements in relation to building capacity across educational settings, through school-to-school support. It adopts a streamlined approach to auditing, action planning and good practice evidence gathering.

The self-evaluation framework covers six generic aspects of school-to-school improvement partnership working, which are relevant to any area of school improvement work. The six aspects cover:

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

An outstanding educational setting, and/or a teaching school, makes ‘best-fit’ judgements against the good practice evidence descriptors in the audit, for each generic aspect. An action plan is developed to identify the activities necessary in order to meet the award requirements.

Evidence for each key aspect descriptor is gathered electronically and in a multi-media format, i.e. podcast episodes, blogs, video clips, signposting to the school, academy or PRU website, and put together to build the final electronic portfolio of evidence.

A one day, on-site assessment is also undertaken, where the views of key stakeholders are heard, and the impact and outcomes of the partnership working are seen in practice, to support the portfolio of evidence.

The process usually takes between one to two years. When all six generic aspects have been fully met for the chosen area of school improvement, a glass plaque, framed certificate and a digital logo are obtained. The award is valid for three years and can be renewed for a further three years, following a reassessment.

Contact Educational Consultancy & Management (ECM) Solutions if you wish to speak to a consultant about this award. Please contact 07857 605645 or complete the on-line enquiry form on the ‘Contact Us’ page of the website.