Delivery, efficiency and innovation
Review of primary school improvement
‘Isos Partnership listened carefully, interpreted the request, and shaped this into a very strong clear proposal. The review produced some challenging findings, and the local authority was completely confident about the depth and the rigour of the review.’
The brief
Analyse the performance of primary schools in the Borough, and the support provided by the local authority. Understand why a significant proportion of the primary schools were in Ofsted categories.
Determine the barriers to progress and recommend solutions to increase the impact of the school improvement team.
Work with the team to generate a refreshed school improvement plan.
What we did
Analysed the data and performance information, leading to a segmentation of primary schools based on levels of deprivation.
Undertook fieldwork visits to schools in the borough and engaged one third of the primary heads through visits and workshops.
Carried out focus group discussions and one-to-one interviews with all of the school improvement team and key colleagues from across children’s services.
Triangulated our fieldwork evidence through discussions with key national and regional stakeholders.
Delivered a focussed review of the key barriers with recommendations for action.
Facilitated a two day workshop with the children’s services staff to develop a refreshed plan.
Impact
We worked at pace, completing the review within four weeks, and in close partnership with key officials. We drew on both qualitative and quantitative evidence, and our knowledge of local authority best practice. The findings of the review are being taken forward in the refreshed school improvement strategy.
Feedback
‘Isos Partnership listened carefully, interpreted the request, and shaped this into a very strong clear proposal. The review produced some challenging findings, and the local authority was completely confident about the depth and the rigour of the review. Everything was done at speed, but without risking quality. The team showed real sensitivity to some difficult relationships and this really helped get people engaged and behind the findings. The review fully met expectations: a high quality project delivered on time.’