September 2014

The know zone

  • Thinking alike...
    ASCL’s first independent schools conference heard how the key challenges of a modern, self-improving education system are actually common to schools and colleges of all kinds, says Rosanne Musgrave. More
  • A lighter touch
    Suzanne O’Farrell looks at the changes to Ofsted inspections being introduced this year ahead of a new framework in September 2015. More
  • Moving on up
    Introducing Ahead – ASCL’s new support services for ambitious middle leaders More
  • Shaping the future
    World Shapers is a whole-school approach to global citizenship from Oxfam Education that has been developed with schools. World Shapers aims to embed global citizenship throughout all areas of school life, enabling students to become world-aware and understand the power of their voice in a global society. Oxfam works with participating schools to provide a bespoke programme and ongoing support. More
  • Performance-related positive
    Done openly and constructively, performance-related pay (PRP) can speak positively about the status of teaching, ensuring that decisions about pay and promotion focus on objective evidence and a consideration of the impact that a teacher is having on very specific aspects of school or college improvement. More
  • Tied or tested?
    The new Progress 8 performance measure is due to come into effect in 2015. What are your thoughts on it? Is Progress 8 a better way of assessing school performance? Are you thinking of opting in to the new measure or are you undecided? Here ASCL members share their thoughts on this important issue. More
  • Leaders' surgery
    David Snashall talks about three real situations from the calls received through the ASCL hotline all to do with social media – an issue that some school and college leaders are inexperienced with. More
  • Endangered species
    Hiding behind lengthy titles and even longer PowerPoint presentations while cooking up strategic action plans and implementing universal solution provision, just what is the point of that army of jargon-spouters invading your school life? More
  • Powers of intervention
    Events towards the end of the last school year have made the basis and extent of powers of intervention in schools of greater interest, as Leora Cruddas explains. More
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Done openly and constructively, performance-related pay (PRP) can speak positively about the status of teaching, ensuring that decisions about pay and promotion focus on objective evidence and a consideration of the impact that a teacher is having on very specific aspects of school or college improvement.

Performance-related positive

PRP linked to specifically negotiated and agreed targets, with clear success criteria and evidence, gives teachers a very strong steer on their priorities for that year. It also clarifies the evidence base they need in order to achieve it. Ultimately, it will help schools and colleges to make better use of public money and teachers to prioritise their energies, ensure that students get the best return on their school’s or college’s investment in staff and, crucially, improve outcomes. 

The future

The future is bright. Those schools and colleges that master the PRP process effectively will be in a strong position to create and develop a very positive and committed workforce – with each member understanding and being rewarded for the important role they play in enabling the organisation as a whole to improve outcomes and results. 

Visit www.blueskyeducation.co.uk/PRP for guidance on mastering the PRP process.


BlueSky is an ASCL premier partner and offers discounts to members. For more information see www.blueskyeducation. co.uk call 01483 880004 or email ascl@blueskyeducation.co.uk

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