Education Durham school improvement service works with schools, settings, academies and other educational institutions to ensure the highest quality opportunities and outcomes for all children and young people in County Durham and in our partner organisations across the north east.
You are assured of a first class, consistent, integrated service which works professionally with all partners and stakeholders to meet their needs and aspirations. This is done through providing or brokering support and challenge to help schools, settings and academies continually improve.
What we offer
As in previous years, the service level agreement is offered in separate tiers: ‘Full Partner’ or ‘Affiliate Partner’ in order to provide a more relevant, responsive and flexible offer, and in acknowledgement that one-size does not fit all. During times when demands on limited funding are increasing, it is hoped that this approach will enable our partners to purchase services varying from light-touch to intensive, with confident assurance of value for money.
The team you will be working with has a proven track record and can respond to specific and detailed requests across a wide range of training and development needs. All remain fully skilled and up-to-date with education and inspection developments, and the team includes those with direct leadership experience, including head teacher experience, and national and international experience and accreditation of delivering CPD to the highest professional standards.
Each SLA is offered annually to schools, academies and other institutions, and generally runs over a financial year 1 April to 31 March.
Restrictions
Full or Affiliate Partners cannot invite staff from non-partner schools to attend training arranged through the SLA.
Options available
Education Durham partner schools
- one visit from your Education Development Partner (EDP) with full written notes of visit.
- 12 contract hours for a range of additional support needs.
- supported school self-review package (12 hrs)
This may include
- work scrutiny (class, key stage, subject) with feedback to leaders and individual staff.
- advice following work scrutiny and follow up visit to support leaders in evaluating progress.
- moderation of teacher assessment.
- corroboration of school self-evaluation through: lesson observations; stakeholder and leader discussions; evaluation of internal and external data; with written report summarising strengths and recommendations (Led by an EDP and tailored to the context of the school. The number of hours will be determined by the size of the school and the range of activities undertaken).
- evaluation of the school improvement plan and monitoring processes.
- safeguarding visit from a specialist officer to work alongside a senior leader in the school.
- access to a supported pupil premium audit.
- an additional EDP visit.
Support and challenge to mid leaders (12 hrs)
This may include
- joint monitoring with subject/ phase leaders; lesson observations; book/ planning scrutiny; discussion with stakeholders; evaluation of assessment information.
- development of role through professional advice and support.
- support for action planning and leader’s role in staff development.
(Important note: only available to schools with more than 100 on roll)
Full head teacher performance management process.
FREE access to a full programme of termly networks: one of the leading strengths of the Education Durham offer is the range and quality of network meetings. Ensuring that subject coordinators and senior leaders remain prepared for educational change; network meetings provide vital opportunities to share good practice with a range of colleagues in a supportive yet challenging setting.
Discounted costs for courses and conferences. Approximately 30% reduction on all full-price courses and conferences.
Professional consultation regarding matching support to identified school development priorities.
Full website audit, to check compliance with DfE requirements or on-line safety audit/ support.
Free support for extended service provision (up to 3 hours) (one of the following)
- set up new provision for 2 year olds
- set up of new governor run pre-school
- set up out of school provision
- set up/ review of extended entitlement for nursery children.
Education Durham non partners
One visit from your EDP with full written notes of visit.
12 contract hours Contract hours for a range of additional support needs.
Supported school self-review package (12 hrs)(NB: only available to schools with more than 170 on roll)
This may include
- work scrutiny (class, key stage, subject) with feedback to leaders and individual staff.
- advice following work scrutiny and follow up visit to support leaders in evaluating progress.
- moderation of teacher assessment.
- corroboration of school self-evaluation through: lesson observations; stakeholder and leader discussions; evaluation of internal and external data; with written report summarising strengths and recommendations (led by an EDP and tailored to the context of the school. The number of hours will be determined by the size of the school and the range of activities undertaken).
- evaluation of the school improvement plan and monitoring processes.
- safeguarding visit from a specialist officer to work alongside a senior leader in the school.
- access to a supported pupil premium audit.
- an additional EDP visit.
FREE access to a full programme of termly networks: One of the leading strengths of the Education Durham offer is the range and quality of network meetings. Ensuring that subject coordinators and senior leaders remain prepared for educational change; network meetings provide vital opportunities to share good practice with a range of colleagues in a supportive yet challenging setting.
Discounted costs for courses and conferences. Approximately 30% reduction on all full-price courses and conferences.
Professional consultation regarding matching support to identified
School development priorities.
Extended service provision (up to 3 hours), one of the following at a reduced rate (to be determined)
- set up new provision for 2 year olds
- set up of new governor run pre-school
- set up out of school provision
- set up/ review of extended entitlement for nursery children.