December 2011

The know zone

  • Take note
    Governance, finance, buildings, liabilities, personnel… increased autonomy lays bare a raft of rights and responsibilities that academies can’t ignore, says Richard Bird. More
  • Coining new terms
    Sam Ellis introduces a series of articles designed to help leaders adapt to a world in which curriculum planning is determined by what you can afford, not what you need. More
  • Lead vocals
    Quotes from Horace, Napoleon Hill, Maya Angelou, Frank A Clark. More
  • Permanent state of bliss?
    Ross Morrison McGill was made voluntarily redundant from his role as assistant head of an academy in London in August. He hopes to run his own school one day and is currently blogging and fundraising for Bliss, a charity that helps families with prematurely-born children, after his son Freddie was born two months early. More
  • Green is good
    Through its Green Schools Revolution (GSR) community education programme, The Co-operative is encouraging students to work towards a more sustainable future. A range of resources, activities and trips have been devised to engage everyone from young, first-time environmentalists to committed ‘greenagers’. More
  • Adding value
    Data is critical to informing decisions on whole school improvement but many schools and academies are failing to make good use of the powerful tools available in their management information systems (MIS). More
  • LA story: The final cut?
    Do local authorities still have a role to play in education? If so, in what areas? Should they be involved in monitoring and raising standards, take on a more limited role, or have no involvement at all with education? Leaders share their views… More
  • Leaders' surgery
    Terminal exams set to stay in England & Pensions come home to roost More
  • Taking care of business
    While pensions and industrial action were at the forefront of everyone’s mind during the last Council meeting on 13-14 October, there was plenty of other business to attend to. Here is a snapshot of the committee discussions More
  • Trading places
    If the school system becomes polarised between confident high-achieving institutions and ones struggling to overcome major challenges, collaboration will become not just important but essential, says Brian Lightman. Otherwise, the dream of a world-class education system has no hope of becoming a reality. More
  • Sense & sensibility?
    Eric Hester reports a startling DfE development: some leadership teams are being encouraged to deploy discernment, logic and good old-fashioned gumption. More
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Adding value

Driven by data

Data is critical to informing decisions on whole school improvement but many schools and academies are failing to make good use of the powerful tools available in their management information systems (MIS).

Whether you want to reduce the achievement gap between girls and boys, stamp out poor behaviour or save time and money, how can the tools you already own work harder for you?

Storing pupil data in one place makes it easier to identify and address issues preventing pupils from achieving more. At Handsworth Grange College, better use of MIS pupil tracking tools has contributed to a 12 per cent improvement in 5 A* to C GCSEs grades – with 12 per cent more pupils achieving A/A* grades.

Issues like classroom disruption can have a negative impact on the learning progress of all children. Witchford Village College has seen a 75 per cent reduction in behavioural problems by recording both good and bad behaviour in their MIS and keeping parents up-to-date via text message.

  • Capita SIMS is an ASCL Premier Partner. Call 0844 893 9000, email ascl@capita.co.uk or visit www.capita-sims.co.uk/ascl for a 50 per cent ASCL discount on the Strategic Development Planning consultancy to understand how your MIS can deliver more.

One of the benefits of ASCL membership is discounts and special rates on a range of personal and educational products and services. There are healthcare products, online staff well-being systems fi nancial advice and self-evaluation surveys. Check out the full list at www.ascl.org.uk

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