Learning from good and outstanding practice

Highlights from school evaluation and improvement

Includes a KeyDoc SIP template

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.
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' (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'.