What Do We Need to Do
1
Christ’s College Finchley Improvement Plan October 2013- September 2014
Christ’s College Finchley- School Improvement October 2013 –September 2014
Following the recent set of examination results and reflecting on our recent Challenge Partners report it is clear that the school has many tremendous strengths and a real history of students making better progress than at similar schools nationally. Our 2011 results were outstanding and worthy of national recognition and it is important that we make a stepped return to this level of value added performance over the next two years and progress beyond over the next five
Our principal focus over the next three years will be to raise achievement so that all students make expected progress and most make more than expected progress in relation to achievement on entry and in comparison to national standards.
Staff will work together to secure the outcomes we all seek and we will adjust this plan following consultation with staff, governors, parents and students.
Our main objectives are:
- To raise the quality of teaching to be consistently good and outstanding so as to raise the achievement of all students.
- Improve the quality of formative assessment.
- Improve the quality of provision at key stage 5.
- Further improve the school ethos to one that is in line with the aspirations of our parents, staff and students.
- Implement the new appraisal and pay and conditions requirements of the DFE through transparent processes and review the effectiveness of our appraisal procedures to ensure that pupil progress is improved.
- Governors to be trained in more effective monitoring and effective use of the pupil premium.*
- Improve the quality of the working and learning environment to one that is fit for the outstanding school we seek to become and that befits our excellent young people.
- Develop achievement at key stage 4 to ensure that the vast majority of students make at least 3 levels of progress from key stage 2. (eg level 4 to grade C, level 5 to grade B etc.)
- See separate ‘Year 11 Intervention Plan’.
1
Christ’s College Finchley Improvement Plan October 2013- September 2014
- Raise the quality of teaching to be consistently good and outstanding so as to raise the achievement of all students
Improvement area and Intended outcomes / Actions / By when / SLT Lead / Specific Impact and Outcomes / Governors
Ensure all lessons are engaging, suitably challenging and motivating forall studentsand contain appropriate range of activities, matched to prior attainment.
Ensure teachers use questioning to effectively to extend learning and check students understanding
Staff (starting with senior and middle leaders) have a clear understanding of the requirements to be met for good and outstanding lessons and the skills to implement. / Training day focused on active teaching approaches Done / 7th Oct. 2013 then follow up department meetings and lesson observations. / SO/LJR. / Evidence of strategies being used in lessons (3 instances observed so far by SO). / Feedback report to Governors at FGB meeting of July 2014.
Provide opportunities for good/outstanding teachers to share their expertise with staff on RI.
Started- eg Twilight training delivered 4.2.13 by 8 members of staff. / October 2013- June 2014 / LJR/HBS / Teaching colleagues further develop teaching skills through the sharing of good practice
Monitored by Headteacher with SLT / Minutes and reports fed back to T&L Committee monthly.
SLT paired lesson observation sequence to facilitate the standardisation of lesson evaluations.
Done- to re-launch with new AHTs and DHT next year. / Sept.- Dec. 2013 / SO/LJR / Vital preparation for Ofsted to ensure that SLT have a shared and accurate understanding of how to evaluate the quality of lessons. / Feedback report to Governors at FGB meeting of Spring 2014.
Enhanced departmental observation programme where HoDs observe at least 4 lessons per term.
At least one joint observation with SLT or a consultant per term to standardise evaluating.Some- eg with departmental reviews. To continue / 2ndOctober onwards / LJR / Shift culture so that HODs understand accountability for the quality of learning across their departments. / Reports fed back to T&L Committee monthly as a standing item.
Senior team to observe and support any IR colleagues to assist in efforts to deliver consistently good lessons.Two carried out up to Feb. 2014. / November 2013 onwards / LJR / All teaching is at least good by October 2014. / Report to Governors at T&L Committee as a standing item.
Setting work at the right level of difficulty for each student with enough challenge for the most able students
Intended Outcome
Joint planning ensures consistent standards and shared understanding of quality. It shares expertise and therefore means better taught lessons and better achievement. / All department teams to be provided with a planning afternoon to work collaboratively on lesson plans for good or better lessons / Nov. 2013- July 2014 / HBS,LJR / All lessons well planned to a high consistent standard.
Monitored by SLT line managers / Minutes and reports fed back to T&L Committee monthly.
Improve attainment of students in English so that at least 75% of students attain a grade C or better and 80% of students make 3 levels of progress. / Increase English curriculum time by at least 1 hour per fortnight in Years 10 & 11.In new curriculum plan
Substitute MyZone time for C.A. catch up in current Year 11.Done and ongoing
Employ tutors to support underachieving students identified by LLStart Monday 10th February.
Holiday sessions will run for C/D borderline students (PET-XI)Ready to run. Parents informed. / September 2014
October 2013 (under way)
Spring half term, Easter & Summer half term / SO. HBS. ALA
SO, LL
SO, LL
HBS / Evidence by June 2015 shows that students are now making at least 3 levels of progress (80%)
Improve the progress of the more able students and the ratio of A* and A grades obtained / Appoint two new Gifted and Talented Co-ordinators for key stages 3 & 4 to raise aspirations, expand the range of learning opportunities available to them and to help improve differentiation in all classrooms.Both appointed Dec. 2013. / December 2013 / SO / Improvement in students gaining higher grades by at least 5%.
Ensure that lesson observation form is adapted to focus on how well students learn and progress. / New form must focus on learning and progress. All forms must focus on the progress of the following groups:
To be completed- discussed at SLT and form agreed. Staff need to be informed.
- More able
- Black students
- SEN students
- Pupil premium students.
- Improve the quality of formative assessment
Improvement area and Intended outcomes / Actions / By when / Lead / Specific Impact and Outcomes / Governors
Improve the quality of marking; oral and written feedback so students know how well they are doing, what they have to do to improve their work and are given time to make improvements
Intended outcome:
Staff have a clear understanding of school assessment so that the improvement aims for achievement and teaching are met. / Re-set the marking and assessment policy to ensure that all colleagues are marking rigorously and effectively and providing excellent formative feedback to students. Monitoring ongoing in Year 11 lessons. Much is very good but there are araes needing development. / Dec 2013 / HBS / Marking and assessment is rigorous, timely and formative so that students know what to do to improve.
Monitored by HODs on an on-going basis.
Monitored by half termly work scrutiny by SLT and HoDs. / .
Introduce student review and improvement sessions in lessons following assessments for students to respond to written feedback in books and if necessary do work again.Not started yet / April 2014 / HBS
Training day – focus on high quality, assessment, questioning and student progress, sharing Ofsted standards and good practice within the school.Not started yet / Spring 2014 / LJR
Make clearer and more effective use of assessment data to assess the progress of the more able students, middle attainers, SEN, Pupil Premium, and students of African or Caribbean origin. / Improved data from Headteacher and Data Manager.
Standing item for discussion at middle leader meetings and line management meetings
Review the use of Department Reviews so that they include a thorough investigation of the progress of these sub groups. Good progress but to continue. / Spring 2014- Summer 2015 / SO / Improved progress outcomes for these student groups.
Continued
- Improve the quality of provision at key stage 5
Improvement area and Intended outcomes / Actions / By when / SLT Lead / Specific Impact and Outcomes / Governors
Review key stage 5 curriculum as part of wider curriculum review led by new Deputy Headteacher. / Full review with curriculum leaders.
From June 2014 with new DH. / ALA
HoDs / ALA / Improve retention rates to 95% by September 2015 / Education committee.
Improve the accountability of middle leaders to ensure that there is regular and consistent monitoring of student progress. / SLT required to hold middle leaders to account in line management meetings. Agreed and underway. / SLT / MK, ALA / Greater rates of student progress- particularly for vulnerable groups.
Brand new 6thform block to improve the quality of staffing and 6th form provision.
(Separate plan- TMC, GT) / Regular meetings with Morgan Sindall, GT and TMC to ensure that works are on track and that the building will deliver the learning environment and accommodation we need.On track for April completion.
Redirect the considerable funds apportioned for the development of the current staff room in to a main reception area to allow for the transformation of the current sixth form facility in to high quality teaching and office space. / Build hand over April 2014 / SO/TMC / Building in use for lessons by September 2014. / Premise committee meetings to review.
Improve culture for learning and embed a culture of high aspiration and ambition. / Year 13 students to mentor targeted Year 12 students in MyZone time.Good progress
Further develop and extend Oxbridge program to develop aspirations.Good progress
Review dress code prior to new block.
Consultation with staff, parents, governors and students.Good progress / Sept. 2013- Feb. 2014
Sept. 2013-
October 2013- Dec. 2014 / CB / Improved attitudes to learning for Year 12 students. Improved attendance . This should result in improved ALPs scores at AS- currently low.
Develop short term 6th form accommodation to provide improved study facilities for students. / Utilise current facilities to provide additional study spaces for Year 12 students using some pupil premium funding. Improved use of common room facilities but limited progress due to funding constraints. Excellent facilities available for next year. / November 2013 / SO/TMC / Improved progress fro FSM/PP students.
Continued
- To further improve the school ethos to one that is in line with the aspirations of our parents staff and students. This will facilitate improvements in student progress and student numbers
Aims / Actions / By when / Responsibility / Specific Impact and outcomes / Governors
Development and review of behaviour management systems for ‘low level’ disruption to reduce incidences by 50%.
Ensure that persistently disruptive students are dealt with effectively through support including alternative provision where necessary. / Review behaviour management policy with staff to assess impact of new measures.Good progress- positive OFSTED judgement. / Nov- Dec 2013 / MH / Reduction in low level disruption- reported by students and teachers. / Reports fed back to T&L Committee monthly as a standing item.
Implement stricter uniform policy with instant sanctions for failure to adhere.Good progress / Sept.- Dec. 2013 / MH/MK / Improved ethos for learning.
Employ the services of external consultants to support students with challenging behaviour. They will counsel students and improve communication between home and school. Very good progress here. / Oct. 2013- / SO / Improved student esteem leading to greater focus in lessons. / Reports fed back to T&L Committee monthly as a standing item.
Feedback report to Governors at each FGB meeting.
Improve leadership to ensure that all senior and middle leaders are held accountable for the progress of students and groups of students. /
- Appoint new members of SLT and revise responsibilities of current SLT to ensure that all have clear responsibility for the progress of students and particularly identified groups (G&T, SEN, Black students and PP students).One DHT appointed and two AHTs to be appointed next week.
- Head to meet with SENCO and other middle leaders to discuss any gaps in performance indicators every half term. Discussions have begun but more formal meetings to commence.
- Implement the new performance management and pay and conditions requirements of the DFE through transparent processes.
Aims / Actions / By when / Responsibility / Specific outcomes / Governors
To implement a fair, supportive, transparent appraisal arrangements which are focussed on improving teaching and raising attainment / Revise appraisal policy Done / By July 2013 / GT/Governors / Secure policy in place / Monitoring by Governors
Train all leaders in appraisal methodology and requirements.Blue Sky Training / Nov. 2013 / SO/LJR / Secure policy in place
Implement new online system to set targets for appraisal and review progress. All staff will have to collect evidence to demonstrate that they are meeting standards and their targets.
The system will also make it simpler to identify where they can seek support with their targets.
It will also make it easier for successful staff to identify how they have met their targets. Good progress / January 2014 / Appraisers / Improved teaching and achievement / .
All Leadership targets to be focussed on raising attainment: all students make more than expected progress
Appraisal Joint observation programme by SLT with HODs.
SLT and HoDs must make it clear that any pay spine progression will be dependent on evidence that student progress over time is good.
Progress of key groups (ethnic, Pupil Premium, gifted and talented, SEN). / July 2014 / Appraisers / Improved teaching and achievement
- Governors to further support improvement
Aims / Actions / By when / Responsibility / Specific outcomes / Governors
Ensure Pupil premium is effectively used / Monitor use and impact regularly
Improve governors understanding of progress. / Train all governors in evaluating student progress / .
Improve the rigour of governors monitoring / Teaching and Learning committee to meet monthly to evaluate progress with the improvement plan
- Improve the quality of our buildings and resources.
Aims / Actions / By when / Responsibility / Specific outcomes / Governors
Brand new 6th form block to improve the quality of staffing and 6th form provision.
(Separate plan- TMC, GT) / Regular meetings with Morgan Sindall, GT and TMC to ensure that works are on track and that the building will deliver the learning environment and accommodation we need.Good progress
Redirect the considerable funds apportioned for the development of the current staff room in to a main reception area to allow for the transformation of the current sixth form facility in to high quality teaching and office space. The current reception area will be extended but maintain it’s appropriate position at the front of the school.Letter required and meetings to see that promised from LBB are honoured / Build hand over April 2014 / SO/TMC / Building in use for lessons by September 2014.
Improve the rigour of governors monitoring / Teaching and Learning committee to meet monthly to evaluate progress with the improvement plan.
To agree with J.Bowra.
Christ’s College Finchley - Our Vision
CCFwillbe an outstanding school at the heart of with community with a national reputation for excellence.
It will:
- Be an inclusive school that liberates the potential of each student and where there are no limits placed on each student’s achievement.
- Be a school where each student matters, is supported, is safe and is cared for; and where the student voice contributes to learning and development.
- Be a school that prepares young people for life in the 21st Century by developing the skills and personal qualities needed in a fast changing, technology driven world.
- Be a school that is a vibrant learning community where there is a real excitement about learning, at the forefront of educational improvement, and where all staff can develop both professionally and personally.
- Have a strong international dimension with wide-ranging external links with other schools in Europe and beyond.
- Be valued as an essential component of the local community, providing services and opportunities at its heart.
- Have resources fit for the 21st Century supported by a robust, coherent and sustainable business, administrative and technical support services to maximise teaching, learning and student achievement.
Strategic Goals of the School
The school will:
- Have high and sustained levels of student achievement and attainment at all Key Stages, comparable to the best performing schools in the country, with minimal underachievement and high value added scores.
- Achieve sustained high quality learning and teaching with 100% of lessons judged as good or better.
- Increase student intake to 180 in Year 7 and 300 in the sixth form by September 2015.