SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME Collaborative peer review: working together for success The Schools Partnership Programme CfBT Education Trust s school-led improvement programme
Why the The Schools Partnership Programme? Few would disagree that highly effective school-to-school collaboration enhances pupil outcomes, but building that culture of sector-led change and partnership working is no simple task for busy school leaders. Adopting the CfBT Education Trust model the model itself developed in close collaboration with schools offers the chance to truly embed lasting change and continuous improvement which permeates throughout the school. The Schools Partnership Programme reflects and goes beyond inspection frameworks. We want all schools to be inspirational and the Schools Partnership Programme raises our ambition and our ability to challenge and support each other so that by working together, we can create an excellent school-led system. Steve Munby CEO, CfBT Education Trust
What is the Schools Partnership Programme? Schools work in partnerships their chosen clusters and their leaders are trained in the key components of the Schools Partnership Programme model (see model overleaf) including peer review. CfBT works with partnerships to embed a culture of high quality self evaluation, rigorous peer review and school-led support and challenge. The Schools Partnership Programme provides frameworks and tools, training and professional support, and is designed to incorporate and build on, not sideline, your existing best practice. All partnerships are affiliated with CfBT giving them direct access to CfBT s portfolio of global activities, including research. Don t take our word for it... What we all ultimately seek for our schools and the education that we provide is that they are inspiring. This goes beyond simply an Ofsted definition of Outstanding. The CfBT Schools Partnership Programme allows us to focus on this broader and stronger concept to which we all aspire: something that is beyond Outstanding. Stephen Munday Chief executive of Comberton Academy Trust, SPP co-construction partner CfBT s Schools Partnership Programme approach and materials have provided an excellent framework for developing and supporting some of the key lead schools work within the Plymouth Teaching School Alliance. Sometimes when a school is already good or outstanding and being left alone by Ofsted, you really want that rigorous peer review and corresponding support to get even better. Doing this with respected Teaching School colleagues has been fantastic. That s how the SPP has worked for us. What s great about the SPP is that you can put together a bespoke peer review that is right for you and driven by your school improvement needs, rather than Ofsted s. Simon Spry Executive Headteacher, Prince Rock Primary School
The intelligence that CfBT and the SPP has brought to Birmingham has been invaluable. It has inspired heads to develop and own a powerful, values-led approach to peer review. The model is characterised by rigour along with intelligent challenge and support. Tim Boyes Head of Queensbridge School and Chair of the Birmingham Education Partnership The Schools Partnership Programme has helped us to tackle some persistent issues with greater knowledge and tenacity. It is solution focussed, empowering and intelligent. We are finding peer-topeer review so valuable not only as a host school but also for peer reviewers. Sue Croft Principal, Oxford Spires Academy The Schools Partnership Programme is crucial to the development of much needed capacity with schools in Stoke on Trent. The peer review programme is having significant impact on a school-led system of self-improvement within cluster schools. Carl Ward Chief Executive of City Learning Trust and Executive Principal of Haywood Academy, Stoke-on-Trent Our experience of SPP as a collaboration has been extremely powerful. It has been a great privilege to have unlimited access in each other s classrooms and we have been able to shine a light into all aspects of our schools. Helen Barker Headteacher, Sturton by Stow Primary School
The Schools Partnership Programme (SPP) offer The Schools Partnership Programme (SPP) offer The diagram below shows how school partnerships engage through our programme The diagram in below a systematic shows cycle how of school collaborative partnerships school improvement, engage and through the value our that programme can be added in a by systematic being part cycle of a national of collaborative network. school improvement, and the value that can be added by being part of a national network. Clusters (3-8 schools) join the Schools Partnership Programme in either September or January CfBT associates provide ongoing support to clusters SELF-EVALUATION Induction session Online audit tool Cycle of change PEER REVIEW 2 day training Peer review framework and tools External QA Our model is: Built on research, which underpins every aspect of the model Built on data sharing, trust and accountability Adaptable to schools individual contexts SCHOOL-TO- SCHOOL SUPPORT Improvementchampion training Online platform to facilitate collaboration Affiliation to CfBT Links to national network of school clusters Early access to CfBT s research Opportunities to engage in research Links to CfBT s international work Engagement in strategic international seminars Key features Developing a culture of sector-led support and challenge Creating a rigorous peer review process to drive school improvement Going beyond Ofsted into inspirational International links and opportunities Professional development at every level Creating a network of national partnerships Building a culture of coaching and professional dialogue I am tremendously excited for our team to join forces with the group at CfBT Schools Partnership Programme. SPP is exactly the approach that represents the next phase in deep school and network learning in education. Leveraging peer knowledge and expertise is the hidden gem in the transformation of education. Michael Fullan international education expert
Why the CfBT Education Trust programme? As part of the programme, Improvement Champions inspirational teachers and future system leaders take on wider responsibilities by becoming experts in evidence-informed improvement strategies. System Leaders outstanding head teachers who contribute through the programme to system leadership in the UK and internationally play a leading role in directing school-led improvement and contributing to policy debates. And throughout the programme, a head teachers reference group which helped develop the programme, meets regularly to provide continuous support and challenge so our programme remains fully attuned to the needs of school improvement systems and leadership. As well as all the benefits that participating school leaders have highlighted here, accessing the CfBT Education Trust Schools Partnership Programme means you are working with a highly evidence- informed organisation that invests in research. CfBT is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity with a clearly defined mission to transform lives by improving education around the world...we work in a commercial, businesslike way for clients, but we use any surplus generated to fund our educational research programme. Who can join? All schools and education settings can access this programme, irrespective of type of school or current inspection grades. All we ask is that each cluster of schools has at least one good or outstanding school. For the outstanding school, the programme provides the challenge needed to be inspirational. How do I join? To find out more, please contact us on partnerships@cfbt.com or call 0118 902 1661. One of our CfBT associates will talk you through the joining process and answer any of your questions. New clusters can join the programme in either September or January of each year. SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME