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Key points of the Rhyddings Business and
Enterprise School SRB raising
achievement strategies.
Employ a Coordinator
Obvious maybe, but our project benefited from a teacher whose sole
responsibility was to set up, run and then develop the Project.
Allow time
The coordinator only ran the Project. He didn't teach anywhere else.
(Luxury perhaps, but it worked.)
Allow flexibility and freedom to try new
ideas
The coordinator was free to organise the Project to fit in with
the needs of all involved: students, parents, teachers, outside
agencies, mentors.
Provide accommodation
When the Project's accommodation was compromised by rooming changes it
deteriorated and students did not achieve as well as they might have
done.
Provide always accessible ICT resources
This was a key feature in helping to raise
achievement.
Publicize the strategies in use.
Make sure
all affected by the Project know what is happening.
Gain the support of
most staff
At Rhyddings Business & Enterprise School the Project had support from most staff. (No new project ever has 100%
support - so allow for this.) And a strong advocate on the SMT is
vital.
Talk to
parents
Keep them informed.
Listen to what they want.
Talk to
students
Listen to what they
want.
Don't stand
still
Keep varying things. Ring the changes. The Project is now extinct but new
projects are slowly replacing it. Try to short-circuit the often
hopelessly ponderous
nature of change in schools. (Shout at SMT! Some will listen; others are
Politicians)
Evaluate what's
happening
If suitable
measures don't exist, create your own so that students' success can be
celebrated.
Remember
that what can't be measured is
probably the most valuable!
One-to-one
counselling / guidance
was the keystone of the Project, but allowing students to help and
counsel each
other was also beneficial to all.
Don't
be afraid of seeming to do nothing
Listening over a coffee or tea, or whilst the student is using a
less-demanding piece of software, often reveals issues you were
ignorant of. Chris Woodhead wouldn't have approved maybe, but he's
long gone now :-)
Allow
students to chill
Have you ever followed a student around school? It can be frantic and
demanding. Half an hour when no demands are being made on the student
can work wonders with some.
Be
available
Let students know they can drop in before school, at break, lunchtime
and after school. Give them a means of contacting you outside of
school hours when they're desperate.
Buy
a kettle
- and use it!
Ignore
all the above
Only you know what works in your circumstances. Be responsive to local
conditions. What worked for us may not work for you.
If
you're looking for the Raising Achievement links page it is now here.
Rhyddings
Business & Community Mentoring Project is here.
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(Updated
01/11/07
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