Embedded Files
Preparing for Change
Preparing for Change
‘A map tells you were you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going – in a sense it’s three tenses in one’. Peter Greenaway
‘A map tells you were you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going – in a sense it’s three tenses in one’. Peter Greenaway
Transformation is often described as a journey and Boards of Governors may have different reasons for embarking on that journey. For some schools which have a long history of mixed enrolments, Transformation can be about formalising and developing what already exists. In other cases governors may be responding to a parental lobby or looking to the future and thinking strategically about ways to consolidate the school’s position in the local area.
Regardless of the reason, the Governors’ decision must be underpinned by a vision for a vibrant and sustainable school which demonstrates a clear intention to develop an Integrated ethos. Achieving this requires governors and school leaders to engage in open and honest self-reflection alongside robust planning and organisation.
All schools are aware of the importance of good planning. It is best evidenced in the School Development Plan (SDP) which focusses on the school’s priorities over a three-year period and identifies what is required in order to ensure that key targets linked to school improvement are achieved.
Transformation is a significant change for any school, this is why it requires the submission of a Development Proposal along with a detailed Transformation Plan.
The approaches used to create the Transformation Plan, which include a strong element of self-evaluation, mirror those used in effective School Development Planning.
Ultimately the Transformation Plan must be embedded in the School Development Plan of any school undertaking the Transformation process.
Click here for a selection of Templates
Click here to access Guidance Documents
The Department of Education, in its publication Integration Works - Transforming your School, identifies three main phases in the planning and taking forward of Transformation but acknowledges that the exact pace, timing and nature of each phase will vary depending on a school’s individual circumstances.
However it is expected that schools will invest the appropriate amount of time in the preparation, development and implementation of the Transformation Plan as befits its status as the delivery mechanism for whole-school change.
Integration Works - Transforming your School December 2017.pdf
The EA Sectoral Support Team takes the lead role in supporting schools through the three phases outlined above but works closely in partnership with NICIE to ensure that schools benefit from the collective experience within both organisations.
The videos below summarise the processes recommended by EA and NICIE for schools engaged with each of the three stages identified above.
Phase 1 - Initial Exploration (Assessment of Readiness)
Phase 1 - Initial Exploration (Assessment of Readiness)
This is a period of information gathering, dissemination, awareness raising and discussion within the broader school community. The ultimate aim is to develop a clearer understanding of:
The level of support for Transformation within the school community; and
The type of changes that would be necessary within the school to transform successfully.
(Integration Works – Transforming Your School DE 2017)
Initial Exploration narrated v2.mp4Phase 2 -Developing the Transformation Plan
Phase 2 -Developing the Transformation Plan
In a clear and simple way, the Transformation Plan should bring together:
the school’s priorities;
the main actions it will take to implement Transformation;
the resources dedicated to these actions; and
the key outcomes it intends to achieve over an initial three year period.
(Integration Works – Transforming Your School DE 2017)
Phase 2 Developing the Transformation Plan narrated.mp4Phase 3 - Starting the Change Process
Phase 3 - Starting the Change Process
To maintain the momentum of the Transformation Process ....... before a formal decision is made on the Development Proposal, schools should start the process of cultural and operational change.
(Integration Works – Transforming Your School DE 2017)
Phase 3 Starting the Change Process.mp4Page updated
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