Consultants

Profile

The key drivers for improvement have been the training and coaching of governing body members to ensure that they had the skills to hold school leaders to account for the quality of education provided and coaching of leaders at all levels to develop strong subject leadership. Ian also led and managed a whole school review of the curriculum to develop a meaningful and interesting progression of skills and knowledge.
Stapeley Broad Lane is his second headship, having been the teaching head of a small rural school in Staffordshire for five years during which he was responsible for re-establishing the school as a centre of quality learning and the focus of the local community. He also introduced clear procedures and policies to ensure that there was a whole-school approach to the school improvement journey, including clear performance management and appraisal systems to challenge and support members of staff. He has also undertaken an executive headteacher role to lead another Cheshire East school through a difficult financial period. Ian is a school improvement partner and an associate for ECM supporting school improvement.
In 2015, Ofsted noted that ‘Outstanding leadership by the headteacher and other leaders has resulted in decisive and successful action being taken to address gaps in pupils’ skills..’
More recently (November 2019) SIAMS reported that “The passion of the headteacher and his staff for pupils to flourish and succeed is driven by the school’s vision and values. This creates a calm, vibrant and inclusive learning community” and “Highly inclusive, nurturing relationships based on Christian love and hope, infuse all areas of the school community. They provide a foundation upon which pupils achieve their potential”.
He is proud of the quality of education offered in school and ensures that pupils benefit from a wide range of first-hand experiences through both residential and day visits. Decisions made to improve the school are driven by the school’s strapline ‘Where children matter most.” He is a National Leader for Education and has extensive quality assurance experience, recognising the importance of external review as an element of the school improvement process.
Particular areas of strength:
The Ofsted inspection framework, its evaluation process and preparing for inspection; SIAMS inspection procedures and preparing for SIAMS inspection; making clear judgements about the quality of education, teaching and learning and wider school provision; supporting schools with documentation e.g. SDP, SEF; working with governors to develop their ‘oversight and monitoring’ role and developing leadership through coaching at all levels across school