Improvement Planning

We have a shared collaborative approach to school improvement planning using an agreed framework:

• Self Evaluation Form (SEF) and School Improvement Plan (SIP) Templates.

• Leadership support with SEF and SIP writing and review

• Teaching and Learning reviews facilitated by consultants and/or MAT’s Executive Leadership.

• Termly School Effectiveness reviews to monitor and challenge progress against the SIP and facilitate effective support. This feeds into the School Categorisation Process.

School to School Support

• Schools work together both formally and informally to support leadership at all levels.

• Experts from within the Trust are deployed to support teachers and leaders (e.g.  Maths, SEN, Assessment).

• Leadership Capacity meetings for Maths, English, SENDCo, EYFS, ECT, Science, Thrive, Attendance Leads, DSLs and Curriculum leads to share research based best practice,  and identify  support.

Staff Development

• Consistent MAT appraisal process informed by each school’s SIP (e.g. Success criteria from the SIP informs success criteria for staff appraisals).

• Talent Management- Opportunities to develop and progress staff and therefore retain staff across the MAT through analysis of expertise.

• Leadership opportunities across the MAT e.g. SENCo – particular advantage for the smaller schools.

• Peer to Peer support – pairing up teachers across the schools.

• Support to complete professional qualifications: NPQLTD, NPQTL, NPQBC, NQPSL, NQPH, NPQEH.

Curriculum & Assessment

• Centralised data system supports teacher work load and allows the trust to identify priorities (from individuals, whole school to MAT-wide)

• Collaborative opportunities for curriculum enrichment

• Facilitate learning opportunities to inspire and motivate children to learn by contextualising the learning through ‘real’ life opportunities.

• MAT moderation opportunities support schools with identified priorities.

Leadership and Governance

• Weekly headteacher meetings to support workload and wellbeing.

• Governor support and training delivered by MAT professions and external organisations

• Leadership and Governor guidance document supports statutory obligations, priorities and strategic planning

• Support in recruiting governors to fill identified skills gaps and add value to the work of the Governing Body.

• Termly Chairs meeting to collaborate on key issues, network and share practice.

Ethos and Values

Through our values (Collaboration, Respect, Inspiration and Nurture) we want all our young people to be valued, visible and fully included in our curriculum and community.

• The THRIVE approach is promoted to support children’s emotional development and well being.

• Pupil voice is given a high profile and facilitates its influence upon the work of the schools.

• Support provided for attendance promoting excellent school attendance for all.

• The Trust will ensure that all DSLs are provided with the offer of supervision for safeguarding. 

• All heads are nurtured through 6 hours of professional coaching from external providers.

Key benefits of being part of Arden Forest MAT

1. Increased leadership opportunities across schools

2. Robust systems that are linked together

3. Reduced work load and improved well-being as a result of collaborative working

4. Opportunities to observe teaching and share practice

5. MAT wide expertise e.g. supporting children with specific needs; managing complaints

Flex approach to ‘category’ schools

The Trust may require non-negotiables for schools in a category. These include specific strategies for:

• engaging and motivating children to learn;

• processes for improving teaching and learning;

• specific models for monitoring progress.