School planning - Module 4 151EPD008
The Department of Education and Training (DET) is a NSW Institute of Teachers endorsed provider of professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence.
This DET course or program is registered professional development under the terms of the NSW Institute of Teachers Continuing Professional Development policy.
For teachers accredited at Professional Competence, completion of this course or program will contribute six hours (1.5 hours for each module) towards Institute registered professional development.
This course or program will address the following Professional teaching Standards:
6.2.1, 6.2.4, 6.2.6, 6.2.7
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Module outcomes
Facilitator’s notes
4A. Why effective planning is critical in Priority Schools
4B. Office of Schools Plan
4C. Elements of the School Plan
4D. School planning processes
4E. Accountability
Frequently asked questions
Related readings and websites
Module outcomes
Participation in this module will provide participants with enhanced understanding of:
effective planning for the appropriate expenditure of Priority Schools Programs funding and allocation of PSFP staffing supplementation within Departmental school planning processes
the key elements of the School Plan and the relationship between the elements
available resources to support the school planning process in Priority Schools.
Facilitator’s notes
It is recommended that facilitators view the entire module prior to presentation in order to select and prepare appropriate materials for the group they are working with. Target groups could include networks of teams from Priority Schools, school planning and evaluation committees, Regional Equity Committees or regional consultants and School Education Directors.
The module consists of core activities which are considered essential to understanding equity. Optional activities provide additional opportunities to explore the issues. All activities are highlighted throughout the module.
All core activities and in particular those marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed by teachers towards maintenance of their accreditation at the Professional Competence level with the NSW Institute of Teachers.
Additional notes for facilitators are included with each of the module activities.
School teams should be asked to provide a copy of their draft School Plan for Activities 4D1 and 4D2. Facilitators may wish to provide a sample School Plan reflecting regional priorities for groups to use if an original draft is not available.
Sample school plans are also available on the Department's website at school plan extract small public school and school plan extract high school.
Facilitators should be familiar with the draft Priority Schools Programs Guidelines before presenting this module.
4A. Why effective planning is critical in Priority Schools
Background information
While effective planning for improvement is important for all schools, it is critical in Priority Schools to ensure that school-based decision making results in actions leading to a reduction in the achievement gap for students from low socio-economic status backgrounds.
Effective Priority School plans clearly articulate how Priority Action Schools (PAS) program funding and/or Priority Schools Funding Program (PSFP) funding and staffing supplementation will be allocated to improve students’ literacy and numeracy outcomes and engagement in learning.
Planning processes in Priority Schools must lead to action that ensures socio-economic status does not predetermine the outcomes of schooling for individuals or groups of students.
It is vital that school plans reflect the strengths and capacities of school communities and embody high expectations of teachers, parents and students. To further explore the importance of raising expectations, go to PSP induction toolkit Module 3.
4B. Office of Schools Plan
Background information
The Office of Schools Plan outlines 6 priority areas that schools will consider when developing their own plans. These are:
Literacy
Numeracy
Student Engagement and Retention
Aboriginal Education and Training
Teacher Quality
Connected Learning.
Priority Schools particularly, must have a clear focus on literacy, numeracy and student engagement in their school plan.
Schools should develop their School Plan according to the School Planning Implementation Procedures provided by the Office of Schools and reflecting the Department’s planning policy.
4C. Elements of the School Plan
Background information
The School Planning Implementation Procedures provide descriptions of the key elements of a school plan to assist in developing a shared understanding among all members of the school community. The School Plan Elements Guide, providing a summary of the key elements, a presentation on School Planning Policy and sample school planning templates are also available on the DET website.
Download School Planning Template A, School Planning Template B and School Planning Template C here.
The descriptions of the key elements are included below with additional comments to support Priority Schools.
Download a PowerPoint Presentation to assist with this section.
Read more about the elements of the School Plan
Activities
Activity 4C1
Read the Facilitator’s notes and the Sample primary school and Sample secondary school examples.
Distribute the Proforma.
Participants need time to look at the examples and then complete the proforma using an intended outcome and target from their draft school plan.
Activity 4C2
Download How can we use PSP funding? and the facilitator's notes.
Facilitators should read the facilitator’s notes for this activity and ensure that they are familiar with the examples provided.
Participants complete the activity individually or in teams and the facilitator invites an open forum discussion of the examples provided.
4D. School planning processes
Background information
The school plan is informed by analysis of student learning data, collegial planning processes in the school, and consultations within the school community. It addresses the local needs and aspirations of the school community and the priorities of the public education system in NSW.
The Educational Measurement and School Accountability Directorate (EMSAD) website provides further information about school planning and software, the School Measurement, Assessment and Reporting Toolkit (SMART) that details information to support specific intervention strategies for improving student learning outcomes.
Activities
Activity 4D1
Participants may have conducted this activity within Module 1, Understanding equity, of the Induction toolkit.
In school groups, discuss your own school’s data, using the SMART software, on student learning in comparison to state data and how it could inform planning for improvement in achievement in literacy and numeracy.
Planning processes in Priority Schools must address the Priority Schools Programs objectives which are to:
improve the literacy and numeracy outcomes of every student.
increase the level of students’ participation and engagement in learning.
improve the quality of teaching and learning.
ensure all students achieve the syllabus standards for their stage of schooling, where appropriate.
raise the expectations of students, teachers, school executive, parents and caregivers.
strengthen partnerships between schools, parents and caregivers and community agencies.
increase the effectiveness of classroom and school organisation.
develop and sustain a positive and inclusive school culture.
Activities
Activity 4D2*
The School planning checklist on the DET website can be used to determine the effectiveness of school planning processes in Priority Schools.
An annotated school planning checklist provides a quick organiser with links to support materials to assist Priority Schools with planning.
Use the modified school planning checklist to evaluate your draft School Plan.
Utilise the links on the annotated checklist to access additional support for refining your School plan.
4E. Accountability
Background information
Accountability and reporting requirements are subject to audit by officers of the Audit and Risk Management Directorate. A Priority Schools Programs audit module is now a routine part of any audit in a Priority School. This process has been implemented as a recommendation of the 2007 Priority Schools Programs audit to address issues arising from the audit.
From 2009, all financial and educational accountabilities related to targeted equity funding, including Priority Schools Programs and Country Areas Program resources, have been integrated into system’s requirements to simplify and streamline processes for schools. These processes also ensure that equity program funds are managed efficiently to support priorities within the school plan.
As indicated in the School Planning Policy and School Planning Implementation Procedures:
School Education Directors will monitor school plans for compliance with accountability requirements including equity or other targeted funding (5.3).
Priority Schools are required to submit evidence that equity program funds have been expended appropriately to improve the literacy and numeracy achievements and engagement of students in learning. School education directors must sight and approve the following documentation by 1 April and 1 December each year. The school education director with responsibility for equity will provide evidence that schools that receive equity program resources have met accountability requirements in a regional return to state office. See the Priority Schools Programs Guideline 2009 for further information
Frequently asked questions
Download frequently asked questions here.
Related readings and websites
Groundwater-Smith, S, and Kemmis, S. (2004) Knowing makes the difference - Learnings from the NSW Priority Action Schools Program. Sydney.
Hill, P. and Crevola, C. (1999) Key features of a whole school, design approach to literacy teaching in schools, Australian Journal of Learning Disabilities. Vol. 4, No. 3, September 1999.
Johnson, N. (1996), School leadership and the management of change, IARTV Seminar Series, No. 55, July 1996, Jolimont, Victoria.
NSW Department of Education and Training (2003), Developing home, school and community partnerships, reflection and planning matrix (p 27).
NSW Department of Education and Training (2005) (reprint) Raising Expectations: Achieving quality education for all.
The Professional Learning and Leadership Directorate website.
