The basis of high quality school development planning is rigorous and perceptive self-evaluation. This course will examine how to create a suitable framework for self-evaluation and the processes by which relevant data, both quantitative and qualitative, can be collected and analysed. We will also explore how strengths and weaknesses identified in the evaluation process should be communicated to relevant stakeholders e.g. inspectors, colleagues and governors. The practicalities of constructing an improvement plan and potential strategies for overcoming resistance to change will be examined. The final part of the course will look at mechanisms for monitoring effective implementation of the development plan to ensure momentum is being sustained.
Steve read Geography at Lancaster University before gaining an MSc in Management at Durham University, where he also completed a PGCE. He subsequently pursued a 30-year career in education, which has included 19 years as Head of Mander Portman Woodward (London) school. He has been a senior Geography A level examiner and served as a Reviser and Award Committee member for Edexcel/Pearson for over a decade. Since becoming an ISI team inspector in 2002, Steve has been involved in a wide variety of independent school inspections. After retiring as a Head in 2016, Steve set up his own education consultancy business, Rubric Education, and has worked with many different schools, both state and independent, advising them on regulatory compliance, inspection preparation, self-evaluation and change management. Steve has extensive experience of school governance having served on or advised governing bodies of primary and secondary schools.
Steve has a longstanding association with the ISA and has been a member of several of its committees, including Education, Inspections and the Executive Council. He is also a former Chairman of the Council for Independent Further Education.
Specialisms
• Regulatory compliance
• Inspection preparation (RCI and EQI)
• School self-evaluation and development planning
• Change management
• Leadership and governance
• Safeguarding and pastoral care