SDPI Summer School

School Improvement

A case study of an Irish school

22nd June 2010

Solution Oriented Schools Project

Worked with NBSS over a period of 3 years In year 2 the school was selected as part of the

Solution oriented schools project.

4 Facilitators received training in the SOS approach

Principal also received training

Further training for both in year two

Ongoing support from NBSS to disseminate the ideas to the staff

What are Solution Orientated Principles

1. If it works, do more of it; if it does not work, do something

different

2. People have the necessary resources to make changes

3. A small change in any aspect of a problem can initiate a solution

4. A focus on possibilities and solutions enhances change

5. No sign up – no change

6. Co-operation enhances change

7. The problem is the problem; not the person

8. Possibilities are infinite

9. People have unique ways of solving their unique problems

10. Keep one foot in pain, and one in possibility

Good schools…

have a clear vision (are vision-centric) have systems that deliver the vision (not doing

it, doing it)

have managers that work ON a school, not

IN a school they focus on opportunities not on solving

problems

Considerations in a review of the Code of behaviour?

• The importance of a whole school approach to behaviour.

• Consistent ethos, policies and practices.• An inclusive and involved school community.• Identifying the aspects of school life most likely to

affect behaviour in the school.• Checking that these aspects of school life are

working to promote good behaviour.• Providing staff, students and parents the

opportunity to work on whole-school approaches to behaviour.

VISIONCPP

The Core Professional Purpose Statement For School x

What format will it take ?

It will be a short memorable statement which captures our vision for School x and represents what we want to deliver as a school.

Our collective Vision should be described as a

Core Professional Purpose (CPP)

It’s what we deliver

CPP

A CPP is a vision, written in purpose terms, providing a memorable and easily communicated message.

What examples are there of CPP’s in use ?

What examples are there of CPP’s in use ?   Supporting Statement:Dreams inspire us to create innovative products that enhance mobility and benefit society.Mission Statement:Maintaining a global viewpoint, we are dedicated to supplying products of the highest quality, yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction.Operating Principles:Honda Motor Co., Ltd. operates under the basic principles of "Respect for the Individual" and "The Three Joys" — commonly expressed as The Joy of Buying, The Joy of Selling and The Joy of Creating. "Respect for the Individual" reflects our desire to respect the unique character and ability of each individual person, trusting each other as equal partners in order to do our best in every situation

Supporting Statement:We believe in the potential of every child and young person, no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through.

Mission Statement:Barnardo’s mission is to challenge and support families, communities, society and government to make Ireland the best place in the world to be a child, focusing specifically on children and young people whose well-being is under threat.

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Define a great schoolTake the finished product apart in terms of its sensory components:

Visual – what will it look like?

Emotional – what will it feel like?

Functional – how will it work? what will it act like? be like?

What elements will it contain ?

It will encapsulate the essence of our vision words (Great school activity) and will also complement our school mission statement.

As a “brand name” it will be known to all – evident everywhere in sight and

sound.It will appear on :

School Letterhead School Journal Code of Behaviour Wall Mural in front foyer Headers/Watermarks for Powerpoint

Presentations

Group Task- Write a CPP

Each Group uses their vision words to write a draft CPP (Refer to School’s Mission Statement to ensure they complement each other).

Groups write their CPP on the large sheet of paper provided.

One member of each Group will present their CPP to full staff group.

What purpose will it serve ?

It will provide School with a

“brand image” unique to our school.

Being a short memorable statement it can be

easily internalised pupils teachers and parents.

Having shared ownership, it will provide a

cohesive driving force in delivering the vision /

experience for the whole school community.

School x CPP

Enabling Enhancing Educating

Our school

Principles

are the standards, against which we deliver the CPP

Principles

Few What people believe in What drives the staff The standards by which all systems,

protocols, policies and actions are written, developed and measured

Evident in all the schools systems Are solution oriented and known to

all

Principles

These support the CPP They should be solution oriented They should describe the school

communities “view” and are reflected in what is “done” within the school.

Principles in school x

Encourage lifelong learning for all Believe that every child has the ability to

experience success in school Provide for a safe clean and caring

environment Strive to recognise and achieve the full

potential of every individual Believe in educating and nurturing the

whole person Believe that every day is a new beginning Believe in respect for all

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SYSTEMS

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How SOS uses this approach…

Focus Area

Works very well:

Can Be Kept As Is

Works well:Kept,

Extended and/or

Improved

Not working

well:Discard (for now)

New Ideas generated

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Our

Systems

are all that we do,

they must reflect our Principles

and deliver our CPP

Leadership

Passion Purpose Practise

Leaders role is to integrate the vision into daily practise