school improvement team

 The GLA School Improvement Team (SIT)

The GLA School Improvement Team (SIT) was created to enable incisive challenge, accountability and timely support for schools to ensure that all children within the Trust achieve the best possible outcomes and that Trust priorities are met. The core GLA School Improvement Team incorporates a wide variety of skills, expertise and experience from across the Trust.

The GLA Associate Team

The GLA Trust has identified talented practitioners, known as Associates, to share best practice across the Trust. All Associates have a proven track record of success in a specific area and are provided with 9-12 days per academic year, (2 days per term) to support school improvement in their specialist area. Leadership and support provided by the Associates may include delivering CPD, supporting a Targeted Resource Plan or leading an element of a peer review.

Our Operating Model

The EEF Toolkit ‘Putting Evidence to Work’ is the chosen strategy providing precise and targeted plans for implementation, improvement and monitoring of impact. Our operating model is as follows:

Other SIT Functions

Teacher development is another key area managed by the SIT, through aligning school improvement work and staff training, messages are communicated with clarity across the Trust and training content meets the needs of the GLA priorities with fidelity.

The SIT works with Trustees, leaders, teams and individuals to ensure that areas for improvement are swiftly identified and targeted with precision using strategies, principles and practices that are effective and guarantee positive impact.

Peer Reviews take place in all GLA schools every year. They challenge leaders in their evaluations and reflections of their school and also provide perspective on improvement strategies that have been successful or that are at risk of not having the desired impact.

Academy Improvement Board Meetings serve to challenge school leaders and to satisfy the Trust Board that the Trust processes are working effectively.

Our School Improvement Team Strategy 2022/23

Our Team

• Claire Savory
  CEO
  Claire Savory

  Experienced senior leader serving areas with high levels of deprivation, leading schools to outstanding under 3 different Ofsted regimes. Currently the Director of Academies leading on School Improvement across the Trust as well as undertaking regional school improvement work.

  12 years supporting schools in Special Measures and Requires Improvement with rapid impact. Facilitator for the NPQSL and NPQH. Currently leading the Primary Subject Leader network for the Balcarras TSH.

• Danny Barthorpe
  Behaviour and Inclusion Lead
  Danny Barthorpe

  13 years of teaching and leadership experience across Primary, Secondary, Further Education, University and Alternative Provision sectors. Supported in a variety of national schools with school improvement and Ofsted preparations. TES Author for behaviour.

• Cariad Comfort
  School Improvement Team
  Cariad Comfort

  Completed 15 years in education with 7 years' experience in Senior Leadership and Headship (NPQH). An SLE for ITT and the Primary Lead in the Odyssey Teaching School Hub. Experience in supporting schools in various roles and is a qualified coach.

• Jess Hutchison
  School Improvement Team
  Jess Hutchison

  17 years' experience in education including senior leadership, headship and DfE English Hub. Experienced in curriculum development with expertise in early reading and foundation curriculum subjects. Â Â

• Jenn Sills
  School Improvement Team
  Jenn Sills

  18 years' experience in education and senior leadership. Experience supporting teams to improve the quality of teaching and learning. A drive for improving whole school outcomes for disadvantaged pupils including Pupil Premium.

• Laura Spence
  School Improvement Team Lead
  Laura Spence

  16 years' experience in education including senior leadership. Experience implementing trust wide strategies, developing impactful teams, leading on CPD and supporting external NLE work. Accredited in BASIC coaching with a passion for the EEF implementation strategy, teacher development and teaching and learning pedagogies such as Rosenshine's Principles.

• Melody Thomas
  School Improvement Team
  Melody Thomas

  Extensive experience in leadership overseeing curriculum development and redesign, school-wide Oracy programmes, leadership culture and monitoring systems. Professional tutor for the SCITT programme, PGCE and Bed programmes.