ICT Wand
Independent Consultancy & Training
Training and consultancy for school improvement
Are you looking for a school improvement partner? I provide training and consultancy for primary schools from single day support to multi-day school improvement packages. I work in true partnership to help you improve standards in education.
Perhaps you would value support to review your school improvement plan, perhaps you would like to tap into expertise in raising attainment of disadvantaged pupils, perhaps you would like support to increase the impact of your curriculum.
Whether you are a school with strong practice wishing to push the envelope or a school experiencing temporary difficulties, an external perspective and someone to think with and work alongside can really boost productivity.
A key aspect of the services I provide is working to enhance and maximise the existing talent of your leaders.
Finding the right school improvement partner for you and your school is essential. School improvement partners all have unique strengths, experiences and areas of expertise, as well as having differing personalities, styles and philosophies. School improvement is a field in its own right, and whilst there are overlaps with the skills of being a headteacher, the two roles are very different and should be complimentary. If you would like to combine your skills with mine, why not get in touch to see how we can work in partnership.
Whilst often in the West Yorkshire region, I work with colleagues remotely allowing you to be based anywhere in the UK and receive the support you need for school improvement. By not always travelling to physical sites, I can provide more responsive, flexible support for schools. Coaching, regular meetings, involvement in projects, providing support for teams and individuals are all possible. Headteachers value the flexibility I provide.
The support can be a single session to a comprehensive package of school improvement support across the year.
Support can start at any time, no need to wait for a new school year.
My services can be utilised to support a single school or a group of school leaders wishing to work together.
School improvement partnership support
Confidence in the person providing external support is paramount.
I work with passion and integrity, but don't just take my word for the quality of support I provide. Hear from people just like you who have used my services:
"Thank you for a really useful day. I know the phase leaders, and myself, found it really inspiring." Headteacher - session designed to develop the role of phase leaders. “Thank you for being so generous in your support. I have been inspired and energised to keep going. Truly a well timed and informative session that I can practically put into practice for IMPACT.” 1:1 support for Deputy Headteacher. "I found the process on Friday so useful. It is some of the best CPD I've had for a long time and it helped me to be really clear about next steps etc. It was lovely to work with you as it is always." Headteacher following a review of pupil work and strategising on curriculum implementation. “Thank you for all the support Vicky! All day you have been extremely knowledgeable in answering all my questions.” Deputy Headteacher related to pupil premium and closing the gap for disadvantaged pupils sessions. "I really enjoyed the conversation and it's come at a key time! Thankyou for your clarity and kindness." Phase leader. “I liked having time to really think about what I am doing well and what areas I still need to improve. I really enjoyed it.” Subject leader bespoke support. "We are really pleased with how well the inspection went - lots of hard work has been put in over the last few years, so great to get the report we received. Thank you for your part in it - the subject leaders were confident and knew their subjects inside out!" Headteacher (a mix of HT conversations, subject leader training, and 1:1 sessions across the year). |
School improvement consultancy
How can I support you? As a school improvement consultant with many years of experience, I am able to provide flexible training and support on a wide range of needs. If you are unsure if my expertise is a match for you, why not email me your support requirements. As the majority of my work centres around leadership, it often cuts across different areas of school life, e.g. supporting a DHT with plans to close the gap for disadvantaged pupils, or working with senior leaders and subject leaders on curriculum implementation. The schools I support appreciate my wide ranging experience and knowledge base. I very much see school improvement work as a partnership which recognises and appreciates everyones contributions, skills, talents and knowledge base.
I am particularly interested in working with colleagues who wish to grow and develop their knowledge of 'school improvement'.
Headteacher performance management
Headteachers work incredibly hard in a demanding role. Engaging in a quality review process is of vital importance, for the headteacher, for the governors and for the school. The process starts with getting to know the school and the headteacher. It includes review of key information provided by the headteacher in support of their performance management. It includes meeting separately with the headteacher, the governors and then together as a group. Schools might also consider combining headteacher performance management with support throughout the year in a coaching capacity. A series of coaching sessions can help the headteacher to fully explore the previous year, consider how they are leaning into their strengths, visualise the year ahead and consider how personal performance can be maximised. Governing bodies wishing to employ me to support them with headteacher performance management must be willing to commit the time needed to ensure the process is of high quality. Contact me for more information.
Strategic leadership support for headteachers
STRATEGIC THINKING - Having someone external to help facilitate leadership thinking can be extremely powerful. It can unlock doors, help overcome obstacles, create shifts in areas that have been stubbornly difficult, create energy and give impetus for change.
- Support for the development or review of the school improvement plan.
- Working together to review school data.
- Analysing current leadership strengths and creating a plan for people development.
- Working with the HT, SLT and / or governors around 'people centric leadership' and 'people centric schools'.
- Strengths leadership coaching for the headteacher and senior leadership team.
- Activities and facilitation for SLT to enhance teamwork.
- Help for the school leader in reviewing how the school operates towards strategic goals with a view to increasing goal achievement.
Leadership coaching
Pupil premium support for your school
Design a 12-month package of pupil premium support to aid leaders in closing the gap for disadvantaged pupils. Vicky can work 1:1 with the senior leader with responsibility for pupil premium at a frequency and intensity that is right for your school. You can develop a package of support that fits with the areas in which you want to make progress. Some schools want to evaluate their current position, some schools need support on action planning, some schools need support to achieve a specific goal linked to the academic performance of disadvantaged pupils. Some schools need support for just the senior leaders, some need input into a working party and some need support for subject leaders, e.g. considering writing progression for disadvantaged pupils; considering progression in geography for disadvantaged pupils; considering the needs of disadvantaged pupils in EYFS. Don't settle for a one size fits all, get the help you really need. Why not tap into Vicky's knowledge base on school actions for disadvantaged pupils. Tackle closing the gap from a mulit-pronged approach.
Design your own subject leadership support package
Short zoom training sessions and 1:1 coaching can be a great way to develop middle leaders in school. Professional dialogue sessions can take into account the current skills and experience of each leader, and the demands of the subject they lead. Subject leaders really appreciate the time to discuss their vision and action plans and to reflect on developments. Alternatively, design a group training course by selecting leadership modules, or set your own leadership objectives and Vicky will design a course to match your needs.
Strategic leadership for teams
There are two types of strategic leadership training and support that can be provided. 1) a kick-start (usually summer term) for the the school development process, or 2) Support over a series of half-days to work on developing the strategic skill set of the senior leadership team with activities designed to support thinking. Schools often appreciate a person being involved in strategic planning to provide an outside, fresh perspective and find the 'facilitation' aspect of it enables everyone to participate inhigh-quality discussion. Get in touch to discuss your requirements. This type of support is usually provided in-person rather than remotely.
Costs
A day of consultancy typically ranges from £675 to £750 +VAT depending on the nature of the work being carried out. This might be 1:1 zoom sessions with individual colleagues or small groups. Staff meetings / training sessions, e.g. twilights, are usually 2 hours in duration and are usually £400 +VAT depending on the number of colleagues involved and the resources being accessed. Reductions are available for the purchase of multiple days. Why not contact us to discuss your requirements.
vicky_crane@ictwand.com or telephone/text 07921 726580Fresh Solutions
The advantage of using freelance consultancy is adding extra capacity - you might not have the funds to employ another senior leader, but you can afford to buy 'extra days' of support across a year, e.g. 10 days, 15 days. This can add extra expertise and time to your existing staffing structure with a focus on a key improvement goal. I can become an addition to your team. Need an extra hand?