Contact:

Ros Cooper Head of School Effectiveness - Primary Tel: 01438 844820 Email: ros.cooper@ hertscc.gov.uk

School Improvement Partners in Primary Schools

The introduction of school improvement partners in primary schools

As part of the ‘New Relationship with Schools’ legislation, the DfES is introducing school improvement partners (SIPs) to all primary schools.  In Hertfordshire, SIPs will be introduced In September 2007.

School improvement partners effectively replace both the link school effectiveness adviser and the adviser to the governing body on the headteacher’s performance management.  Their main function is to:

• Evaluate the school’s performance

• Identify priorities for improvement and help plan effective change

• Identify support needed

• Advise governors on the performance management of the headteacher

• Act as a channel for local authority communication about school improvement.

Each primary school has an entitlement to 5 days of time each year from their SIP.  About three days of this will be direct contact time with the school, the balance being for preparation and report writing. 

The programme for 2007/8 is:

Autumn term: initial visit; results review and agreement of statutory targets; advice to the governing body on headteacher’s performance management.

Spring Term: joint annual review visit

Summer Term: visit to review progress against school’s main priorities for improvement.

SIPs are drawn from experienced serving or former headteachers, local authority advisers and independent consultants.  All SIPs have been accredited by the DfES following a national assessment process.

Full details of the SIP role and programme can be found in the School Improvement Partner Handbook below:

Hertfordshire Primary SIP Handbook 2008-2009 New

• Word 2003, 329kb/33 pages, 02/10/2008, herts_primary_sip_handbook_2008-2009.doc

Headteacher's Performance Management

• Word 2003, 132kb/7 pages, 11/09/2007, headteacher_performance_management.doc

Further details of how to train to be a SIP can be found at:

• www.ncsl.org.uk/sips 

The National College for School Leadership (NCSL) ise responsible for the assessment and accreditation of SIPs and manages this directly with individual applicants.