Gone into measures!

“We have just gone into measures…”

As I hurriedly grasped my mobile before it went to voicemail, these were the opening words of a Head at a school based in the North. An archetypal inner-city context with a backdrop of poverty and generation after generation of low aspirational families amongst its challenges.

“I think it’s time for us to have a chat,” he continued.

“Sure,” I said. “When’s best for you?”

“This afternoon! I want to talk to you about that graduate thing…”

And that is how it started.

As we discussed the difficulties some schools often referred to as challenging face, it became clear that he was taken aback by my line of questioning. Rather than dutifully nod and tell him that I would find him an amazing maths teacher with a few days, I started to enquire about the specifics of why high group were not making expected progress. Reasons followed and I began to talk about graduates and how this could be a solution.

“We haven’t got any money,” He interjected.

We then asked the SBM to join us and looked at the cost spent by the school on supply and cover staff, which was approaching £300k.

“I have an idea!” I replied.

Within the first academic year, ten graduates had been placed at the school and the Year 11 outcomes reported an increase of 20% on the previous year, with Progress 8 shifting above zero. This combined with happier teaching staff led to a reduction in sickness absence, fewer resignations and an increase in enrichment programmes for students.

Amount spent on supply teachers: zero!

Reclassification of the school followed, with fourteen graduates starting the following academic year. Whilst it still has a way to go, the school is making great progress. A positive progress 8 and the best exam results in recent times, evidencing the hard work SLT, teachers, graduates and pupils.

“We have just come out of measures. We did it!”

To find out exactly what ‘we’ did click here to find out more.