Sharing Good Practice
So maybe this year , after one of the most disrupted and difficult years our schools have ever encountered , we can approach this process differently . Maybe we can level the playing field , change the lens and do things better ; but schools cannot do this without the full support of their Boards . Here is some advice for your Board to consider , as they play their part in the shifting paradigms emerging from the pandemic .
1 . Firstly , don ’ t panic , despite all the debris being bandied about , aim to find out the facts , instead . Remember that , in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake and the lost schooling that followed , outcomes did not suffer ; so just because there is talk of a ‘ learning gap ’ in the media and in government does not mean that this learning gap is real .
2 . Discuss |
and |
agree |
with |
your |
Principal |
and |
their |
Senior |
Leadership |
Team |
what |
metrics |
best measure the success of your particular school . Try to think beyond raw examination grades , and delve instead , into individual achievement and progress , student attitudes and teacher perceptions , and , of course …
3 . … WELLBEING ! There are powerful ways in which a school can measure and monitor student ( and staff ) wellbeing , in order to flag and inform specific interventions . It is common for a school to believe that their staff and students are experiencing positive wellbeing and mental health , but how do you know ? What evidence do you need ?
4 . Don ’ t forget to focus on students still in the midst of their schooling . If we only focus on students who have already graduated , we are leaving things too late , so ask for data on those in the middle of their courses , and find out how the school intends to respond to this invaluable information .
5 . This is the time to ensure your school ’ s approach to data and assessment really works . The use of data in schools is advancing all the time ; is your school keeping up , or do you need to invest time and money to enhance the process ?
6 . And , finally , build and sustain mutual trust with your SLT . In this way , they will be honest with you , and feel safe telling you what you need to know , rather than falling into the trap of saying what you want to hear and trying to impress you .
In our experience , at this important time of year , # betterboards ask for less but better , and ensure that the metrics provided actually measure what really matters . Your Guiding Statements are your lifeblood , your DNA and your beacon ; your data should show to what extent they have been brought to life .
Matthew Savage and Dr Helen Wright , both experienced Principals in their own right , and Associate Consultants with LSC Education , designed and deliver # betterboards , training for board members in the best international schools worldwide . There are still a few places available for the next cohort , beginning in September . For further details , please visit : https :// bit . ly / 379Ei6x .
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