PRODUCT GUIDE Training Progress Reviews Observations Robust 360 Improvement Evidence Consistent Online Leadership Appraisal CPD Learning Needs Objectives Solution Collaboration Learning Walks Expertise Portfolio BlueSky Self-Evaluation Best practice Value Needs Analysis Work Scrutiny Performance Management Live QA Efficiency Transparent Progression Clarity Seamless Accountability BlueSky Education School Business Management
This school can t recommend BlueSky enough. What we re truly seeing is everyone working together to make sure performance management means something to them as individuals. Cheryl Connelly, Business Development Manager, Farnham Heath End School. What is BlueSky Education? BlueSky Education is an online leadership solution providing the tools you need to implement and manage a clear, consistent and robust appraisal policy linked to school improvement priorities. BlueSky not only saves you time and money, it drives school improvement through robust self-evaluation processes and fair and transparent performance management. Individual online portfolios ensure all staff take an active role in their progression and development. BlueSky portfolios are portable and can move with staff, creating a complete record of their development throughout their career. BlueSky drives your school improvement processes. Modules such as reviews, objective setting, CPD, lesson observations, work scrutiny, learning walks and selfevaluation, seamlessly integrate for a complete solution. With BlueSky you can Instantly access live data on the quality of teaching in your school or group of schools. Demonstrate progress and impact by linking appraisal objectives and CPD to school priorities. Build capacity by using standards reviews to target professional development and identify strengths. Demonstrate a deep and accurate understanding of staff performance by analysing lesson observations, CPD and appraisal information. Drive school improvement through evidencebased self-evaluation. Improve performance and standards through a culture of professional accountability. Managing the performance of the TAs in BlueSky was the catalyst in using the system and really welcomed by the group. They felt they were being given the same opportunities and professional support as the teaching staff. Johanna James, Assistant Headteacher, Lobley Hill Primary School. School Business Management 2
How can BlueSky help you? Total flexibility to meet your needs across all elements of the solution Personalise to your school Use pre-loaded BlueSky templates Always up-to-date with national expectations Link to team priorities Link to school improvement priorities Link to professional objectives Link to CPD activities Analyse and report on all information Supporting all staff to develop All staff can access the same BlueSky tools, whether they are a teacher, associate staff or NQT. They work with their appraiser or line manager to set objectives that link to team and school improvement priorities, ensuring everyone is making a difference to your school. Managing appraisals BlueSky brings everything you need to run open and consistent appraisal processes together and ensures staff objectives link to team and school priorities. Staff work with line managers openly and supportively, evidencing their progress within their secure portfolio. Analyse the complete picture of performance and make an informed recommendation for pay progression. Observing lessons Observing lessons within BlueSky links this crucial element of performance to school and team improvement priorities. Upload your own observation forms or use a BlueSky template and complete observations directly into BlueSky or via a printed form. Observations can remain confidential or link to team and whole school reporting. Self-evaluation and improvement planning With BlueSky, self-evaluation is a live and ongoing process. Track and analyse activities such as learning walks, work scrutiny, pupil and staff voice and governance and link them to individual, team and whole school priorities. Use this evidence to support judgements about team or whole school performance and create a team or whole school SEF. Compile the actions for improvement into improvement plans, monitor through BlueSky and create a live snapshot of your school performance. School Business Management 3
Our results are testament to the improvements we are making to the quality of teaching. Matthew Hutt, Deputy Headteacher, Croesyceiliog School. Identifying talent and saving money The information you collect within BlueSky helps you identify talent within your staff. Match this to professional development needs to run in-house targeted CPD. Promote your talented staff to other schools and search for expertise to support your school, all within BlueSky. A great way to save money on external CPD and empower and motivate staff. Managing the complete CPD cycle From identifying, requesting and booking professional learning to recording and evaluating its impact, BlueSky is a complete CPD management tool. the professional learning you organise for your staff with other schools in your partnership or publically via the BlueSky website to generate income. Connecting schools and colleagues If your school is part of a federation or trust, BlueSky connects the schools to support you to implement consistent processes across the group. Aggregate training needs and match to staff strengths to create shared training programmes across schools. BlueSky communities connect individuals within and across schools, whether they already work in partnership or not. Recruiting and retaining staff BlueSky supports you to promote your school as a quality employer by offering structured performance management and staff development opportunities. Aid retention by identifying talent and further support colleagues to develop. Use BlueSky tools to develop skills matrices to support staff retention and succession planning. School Business Management 4
Identify Own Learning Needs Performance Management Objectives 360 Reviews Improve the Quality of Teaching Progress Reviews Appraisal Progression Analyse Training Needs Identify Staff Strengths Manage Professional Learning Best Practice Promote Training to Others Record the Impact of CPD Connect Schools CPD Self- Evaluation Lesson Observations Learning Walks School Improvement Planning Planning and Work Scrutiny Recording Judgements 360 Reviews Aggregate Needs Training Collaborate Within and Across Schools Expertise Resources Projects School Business Management 5
Why BlueSky? BlueSky is the only performance management, CPD and self-evaluation tool endorsed and developed with the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) BlueSky is the original and most widely used online solution available and we only work in education BlueSky is a fully integrated and seamless solution. All elements are adaptable to your school s specific needs and structures or ready to use out-of-the-box The robust evidence within BlueSky provides live and detailed school performance reports to governors, inspectors and key stakeholders BlueSky is the most comprehensive CPD solution available and will manage the whole of your CPD process online BlueSky is the only solution to enable you to generate income by promoting the CPD you organise to others via the BlueSky website, at no additional cost to you Every member of staff, whatever their role, has their own secure online portfolio that stays with them throughout their career Our team has over 150 years of school leader and business management experience that we can use to support your implementation and development By focussing on our core values of providing tools that drive improvement, we are proactive and remain ahead of government expectations The fact that everything is together and online means, at any time, we can see an accurate picture of how the school is performing. The rigour of having BlueSky to record everything is very important. BlueSky enables us to process and access school improvement data with ease, confidence and consistency. Dr Mike Horswell, Deputy Headteacher, The Arnewood School. Adam Arnell, Director of Teaching Schools Alliance, King Alfred s Academy. Find out more 01483 880004 info@blueskyeducation.co.uk @BlueSkyMatters www.blueskyeducation.co.uk School Business Management BlueSky Education 2014 PG-01-0314