This theme promotes a self-evaluative, research-informed approach to leading school improvement and considers the importance of effective teams. Strategic thinking, positive mindsets, collaborative and nurturing approaches are characteristics considered under the ethos of improvement and participants will reflect on how they contribute to fostering and developing high standards of achievement.
CSSC works in partnership with EA, to raise standards and outcomes within the controlled sector.
Improvement Ethos One (Building Capacity) takes place over an academic year and supports senior leaders to address one strategic priority in their School Development Plan to improve learning and teaching. This module explores four themes:
1. Supporting and developing an ethos of continuous improvement in order to effect change.
2. Rigorous self-evaluation including an investigation of quality assurance tools that may be used to identify strengths and priorities for improvement.
3. Research-informed practices that impact significantly on learning.
4. Lessons from international models of school improvement.
This module comprises two days of interactive, evidence-informed sessions, coaching/mentoring support to effect change and a final celebratory event that provides a platform for participants to present their findings and share their learning outcomes.
Duration: 3 Day Programme with Coaching/Mentoring Support throughout academic year
Delivery: Stranmillis University College
Date(s): 4 October 2023, 8 November 2023 and 15 May 2024
Improvement Ethos Two (Systemic Team Coaching) is a coaching programme delivered in a Systemic Team approach over an 18 to 24 month period. The programme aims to develop more cohesive, strategic thinking and an effective Senior Leadership Team. Due to its supported two-year cyclical nature, this programme is currently at full capacity and expressions of interest will be for commencement in the 2024–2025 academic year.
Duration: One hour sessions over an 18 to 24 month period
Delivery: School based
CSSC is currently developing an online version of this programme, The CSSC Team Ethos Toolkit, to ensure that all schools which want to avail of this module can do so. The CSSC Team Ethos Toolkit will be delivered online via MS Teams in a controlled environment which will facilitate self-study by participants. It will provide a range of diagnostic tools to be utilised at individual and at Team level to determine strengths, priorities and actions needed to move forward to meet goals. The toolkit will also provide resources to encourage senior leaders’ self-reflection with specific reference to the features of highly performing teams working on a foundation of trust in a systemic context. A pilot of this online toolkit will take place with controlled schools during the 2023–2024 academic year. Expressions of interest will be for commencement in the 2024–2025 academic year.
Duration: 18 - 24 month period
Delivery: Self-study Online
Dates: 24/25 dates to be agreed with coach.
Improvement Ethos Three (Level 2 TIP) delivers the Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland’s Level 2 training, Developing a Trauma Sensitive Approach to Practice. This module considers the impact of trauma on brain development, how it influences children and young people’s wellbeing and how schools can, through relational approaches, support the resilience of children and young people. The module also considers how staff can benefit from trauma sensitive approaches and explores the importance of supporting a school ethos which prioritises the emotional health and wellbeing of the whole school community. Schools should have already completed the online Level 1 training, Adverse Childhood Experiences Awareness, which is available on the EA’s C2k network. CHECK IF CORRECT LINK ....
Duration: One day
Delivery: School based
Date: 23/24 dates to be agreed with Schools' Support Officer
Date: 24/25 dates to be agreed with Schools' Support Officer
Date: 25/26 dates to be agreed with Schools' Support Officer
Improvement Ethos Four (Team Building) determines the impact of an effective team on school ethos. Key qualities, behaviours and values that make for effective teamwork are explored, together with reflection on the contribution that each individual makes to the functioning of the team. In considering team relationships the importance of kindness, compassion and connection are explored and participants consider how they can be more intentional in their approach to teamwork and support each other to contribute to and feel part of the school team. The session concludes with individuals contributing to the creation of a vision statement which represents a commitment to how the team aspires to work together.
Duration: Half day
Delivery: School based
Date: 23/24 dates to be agreed with Schools' Support Officer
Date: 24/25 dates to be agreed with Schools' Support Officer
Date: 25/26 dates to be agreed with Schools' Support Officer
