Silver Phase Action Planning
Where to start:
There is an assumption that all of the Indicators at Bronze level are secure. If any Bronze Indicators still require attention, consider doing these first before embarking on:
- Dimension 1 Commitment: ensure that Indicator 2.1(s) is addressed first. It is the key to this Dimension and underpins the other Dimensions.
- Dimension 2 Planning: ensure that Indicators 4.1(s), 5,2(s) and 5.3(s) are secured – they open the path for the other Indicators in Dimensions 2 and 3.
- Dimension 3 Action: As at the Bronze phase, enable and support small scale enquiries in any of the Indicators 7.1(s) through to 9.2(s). In particular changes in Principle 7 frequently have a pay off in the linked Indicator in Principle 8. The Silver phase is about spreading existing good practice more widely across the school.
- Dimension 4 Evaluation: Indicator 11.2(s) is the key to this phase and an essential precursor for the Gold phase.
The Action Plan Shaping Tool is laid out thus:
In the following Action Plan Shaping Tool, the dark green Indicators in the left hand column are the ‘must start with’ Indicators, the lighter green ones flow from the darker green ones, and the uncoloured ones will come on stream later in the process.
Download it as a pdf or as a spreadsheet:
Download a copy as a pdf Download a copy as a spreadsheet
Key Task
- Use the outcomes of your Audit to populate the Action Plan Shaping Tool.
- Once complete, use the completed Action Plan Shaping Tool to generate an Action Plan – you may choose to use your existing Improvement Plan format, or download the generic one below.
At this phase, typical Action Projects might include:
- Set up a working party to draft emerging ideas about learning into the school’s Learning Framework document. (2.1s)
- Instigate a training programme to develop coaching skills for a classroom context. (5.3s)
- Establish the focus for Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) to be developing and using a language of learning based on the school’s learning language. (7.2s, 8.2s)
- Set up a working party to draw together small- scale enquiry results on progression and draft a map of progression (11.2s)
Download a copy of a Generic Action Plan
Be aware – the Action Plan you create at this point is highly unlikely to address all of the Indicators that have not been highlighted as important starting points. Hence you will probably need a second phase to the Plan to pick up on those indicators that have not yet been addressed.
And once you have completed your action plan, ask yourself . . .
- Is this the complete plan, or just the first phase of the plan?
- How long do you think it will take to complete this plan?
- How will you integrate this plan with the school’s improvement planning processes?
- How will you maintain momentum to ensure that progress is sustained?
- What / who are the potential obstacles to success?
- How will you address / circumvent them?
- Who are the likely supporters? How will you harness their energies?
- Who are the likely opponents? How will you get them on board?
- What do you need to tell Students? Parents? Governors?
Make a note of…
The implications of undertaking this plan of action:
- for senior leaders:
- for phase / subject leaders;
- for classroom teaching;
- for support staff;
- for students.