Writing an effective SIP: planning guide

Be confident that your school improvement plan (SIP) is set up for success. Use our tools to narrow down competing priorities, develop achievable actions and create SMART targets, so you don't risk overburdening your staff and can keep on track with your long-term goals.

Last reviewed on 24 April 2024See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 42346
Contents
  1. Your governors/trustees should have set high-level objectives already
  2. Use our discussion guide to help you write your plan
  3. Write your SIP using our template
  4. Use our checklist to make sure your plan is robust

Your governors/trustees should have set high-level objectives already

You'll have worked with them to develop these high-level objectives that will feed into your school improvement plan (SIP).

This is an important step. As the strategic leaders of your school, it’s your governors/trustees’ role to set these high-level objectives so they can hold you to account for meeting them.

Make sure you remind yourself what these high-level objectives are before you write your SIP, so your SIP aligns with your broader strategic plan.

Use our discussion guide to help you write your plan

If you collaborate with other leaders in your school to write your SIP, use our discussion guide to help you develop your objectives, actions and success criteria. 

KeyDoc: SIP discussion guide DOC, 220.0 KB
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Prioritise which areas for improvement you'll focus on  Keep your school improvement focused on your long-term strategy Develop realistic and achievable actions that won't overburden your staff  Create SMART