2.5.3 Supporting improvement

2.5.3 Supporting improvement

Some schools require support in ensuring that they bring about the required improvements in aspects of their provision

Most schools have the capacity to use inspection findings, along with other types of evidence gathered by the school, to plan for and oversee the implementation of the actions needed to address recommendations made in inspection reports, and to improve learning experiences and outcomes for all children and young people. There are, however, a small number of schools that require further supports in ensuring that they bring about the required improvements in aspects of their provision. This support is provided through two processes: School Improvement Monitoring (SIM), which is led by the Inspectorate, and the School Improvement Group (SIG) which is led by the Department’s School Governance Section and includes representatives of the Inspectorate.

Schools with significant weaknesses related to teaching and learning are supported through School Improvement Monitoring by the Inspectorate

The School Improvement Monitoring (SIM) process is initiated for some schools where significant weaknesses that relate mainly to teaching and learning are noted during inspection, and which can be addressed through bespoke engagements with the Inspectorate. The engagements that inspectors have with schools in the SIM process are tailored to meet each school’s individual context. Typical engagements include support and advisory visits, the conduct of specific evaluations, such as an evaluation of provision for pupils with special education needs, and bespoke support in relation to action planning for improvement. Table 2.11 provides an overview of the SIM cases that were processed from September 2016 to December 2020.

Table 2.11: School Improvement Monitoring (SIM) cases in the September 2016 – December 2020 period

	Primary	Post-primary	Total
Active cases in July 2016	6	2	8
Schools referred to the School Improvement Monitoring process (SIM) in the period September 2016 – December 2020	17	12	29
Cases resolved in the period September 2016 – December 2020	10	8	18
Cases referred from SIM to the School Improvement Group (SIG)	4	0	4
Active cases: December 2020	9	6	15

Source: Inspectorate, Department of Education

The Department’s School Improvement Group supports schools with significant weaknesses, particularly in relation to leadership and management

Another level of intervention for schools is the School Improvement Group (SIG). The SIG provides a co-ordinated approach to supporting schools where significant weaknesses in provision are identified, particularly in regard to school leadership and management.

The SIG consists of senior officials drawn from the Department’s School Governance Section and the Inspectorate, and involves officials from other sections as necessary. The SIG provides a forum where serious issues that affect individual schools are discussed, thereby facilitating in-depth exploration of the issues and careful decision-making about how to support the school to bring about improvement. The SIG engages directly with the representatives of Education and Training Boards, boards of management, trustees or patrons of schools as appropriate. It frequently requests action plans from schools for the implementation of specific recommendations, and progress reports on their implementation. A carefully planned inspection programme is also devised for schools in the SIG process to determine progress and to ensure that the requisite improvements are made. A school is removed from the SIG process when these improvements are made.

Figure from page 75

Table 2.12 provides an overview of the SIG cases that were processed between September 2016 and December 2020.

Table 2.12: School Improvement Group (SIG) cases in the September 2016 - December 2020 period

	Primary	Post-primary	Total
Active cases in July 2016	16	3	19
Schools referred to the School Improvement Group (SIG) in the period September 2016 – December 2020	16	12	28
Cases resolved in the period September 2016 – December 2020	14	3	17
Cases referred from SIG to the School Improvement Monitoring (SIM) process	3	8	11
Active cases: December 2020	15	4	19

Source: Inspectorate, Department of Education