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School improvement and inspection : Strategies for improvement : Learning from good and outstanding practice

Learning from good and outstanding practice

Highlights from school evaluation and improvement

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  • Case study: moving from 'requires improvement' to 'outstanding' Hugh Myddelton Primary School moved from an Ofsted judgement of ‘requires improvement’ to ‘outstanding’ in the space of 2 years. We spoke to the SLT about the school’s journey to achieving this outcome, including the processes they followed and the key changes they made to their practice.
  • Developing teaching from 'requires improvement' to 'good': case studies and examples Are there examples of schools that have progressed their teaching to 'good'? We look at case studies showing how teaching school alliances have supported schools to develop their teaching from 'requires improvement'. We also link to Ofsted reports from schools that have done this.
  • Developing teaching from 'requires improvement' to 'good': strategies How can we develop our school's teaching so that Ofsted judges it 'good'? This article summarises suggestions from two of our associate education experts on how schools can progress their teaching from 'requires improvement'. It also links to guidance on teaching strategies from the Sutton Trust.
  • Features of an 'outstanding' EYFS setting Are there examples of excellent nursery and reception classes? This article features an Ofsted good practice video and a case study from an 'outstanding' nursery school. It also cites comments from inspection reports referring to 'outstanding' early years provision.
  • Features of an 'outstanding' school: primary What has Ofsted said about primary schools rated 'outstanding'? In this article, we look at Ofsted reports from four 'outstanding' primary schools and summarise some of the inspectors' comments. We also link to another article with examples of 'outstanding' early years provision.
  • Features of 'outstanding' teaching: case studies and examples Are there examples of schools with 'outstanding' teaching? We look at a case study of a teaching school, focusing on how it ensures consistency via its teacher development programme. We also relay examples of inspection reports from 'outstanding' schools with comments on certain aspects of teaching.
  • Leadership in 'outstanding' schools What kind of leadership makes a school ‘outstanding’? We look at the School Inspection Handbook, which includes the criteria for ‘outstanding’ leadership, and an annual report from Ofsted. We also highlight comments on leadership in inspection reports from ‘outstanding’ schools.
  • Making a school 'outstanding': examples of strategies Have a look at advice from 2 of our associate experts on what makes a school 'outstanding' and how you can get there. You can also learn about the strategies one school used to move from special measures to ‘outstanding’ in the space of 3 years.
  • 'Outstanding' interventions: guidance According to Ofsted, what are ‘outstanding’ interventions? We relay advice from Ofsted explaining that it does not evaluate individual interventions. We also link to recommendations from a National College report, and relay examples of how 'outstanding' schools conduct interventions.
  • Outstanding practice in alternative provision What makes outstanding alternative provision? We look at best practice advice from the DfE and the NFER. We explain that alternative provision (AP) is inspected by Ofsted under the section 5 handbook, and link to examples of 'outstanding' inspection reports from two AP free schools and a pupil referral unit (PRU).
  • Progressing teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding' (EYFS) How can we move teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding' in the EYFS? One of our associate experts suggests ways that schools can improve the quality of their teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We also include good practice resources from Ofsted on good practice in EYFS settings.
  • Progressing teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding' (primary) How do I improve teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding'? Three of our associate experts suggest how to make a primary lesson 'outstanding'. We also link to examples of inspection reports from schools which have moved from 'good' to 'outstanding' in Ofsted's judgements on their teaching.
  • Progressing teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding' (secondary) How can a school improve its teaching to 'outstanding'? We look at how to improve your quality of teaching, including what Ofsted says, and how pupil progress influences this judgement. We also link to The Key’s CPD Toolkit module on excellent teaching.
  • Progressing teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding': special schools How can a special school progress teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding'? We relay advice from two 'outstanding' special schools and one of our associate education experts. We also look at Ofsted inspection reports containing advice to improve teaching from 'good' to 'outstanding'.