The A-Z of School Improvement: Principles and Practice

Description

This is not a book about the school system as a whole or how governments can help or hinder school improvement. It is a book about supporting and inspiring leaders and teachers to help schools achieve ever greater success. By combining their extensive experience and knowledge of leading and improving schools, Tim Brighouse and David Woods deliver an authoritative and up-to-date overview of the principles of school improvement detailing the wide range of information, ideas and practices schools need to understand in order to be the best they possibly can. This comprehensive, dip-in A-Z guide introduces the characteristics, approaches and language of school improvement in 138 eclectic and engaging entries, including appreciative enquiry, literacy and student voice. The authors' unending supply of real school stories and experiences are the basis for the quotations, case studies and 'butterflies' (little ideas with big impact) that illustrate the entries and bring them to life. The A-Z of School Improvement is essential reading for any school leader, teacher or governor serious about improving their school, or indeed any parent eager to understand the ways in which their children's schools can be improved.

David Woods was the Chief Education Adviser for London and Birmingham Schools and the London Challenge until 2011, as well as being the Principal National Challenge Adviser for England. He is currently an Education Consultant working with agencies such as the NCSL and OfSTED and is also a visiting professor of education at universities including the London Institute of Education.

A new book from David Woods and Tim Brighouse is always welcomed. Their ability to support, inspire and encourage teachers and others in schools is rightly, legendary. Between them, they have a track record of helping to deliver better life chances for children that is second to none. This book lives up to their reputation. It brings together so many of the ideas they have developed over the years and does so with imagination and ambition as well as sheer common sense. As ever, they combine rigour with creativity. * Estelle Morris, former Secretary of State for Education * '... an intelligent, optimistic, wise and well-informed book by two of the most insightful thinkers - and do-ers - of school improvement. Tim Brighouse and David Woods bring to school improvement high ambitions for every child, an understanding of how schools work and an abiding faith in the power of teaching to transform lives. The A-Z format makes their ideas accessible and usable - very thoughtful and very practical. * Professor Chris Husbands, Director of the Institute of Education, University of London * Brighouse and Woods are the Lennon and McCartney of school improvement - individually brilliant, their work together is amongst the most inspiring and ground-breaking in the field. Their particular talent is to create energy, enthusiasm and a belief that improvement is possible, together with a clear sense of how that can be achieved. In this latest work, they again manage to combine the practical with the thought-provoking, providing a wealth of usable ideas and suggestions while opening up new possibilities certain to extend their readers' thinking. * Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning and former Director General of Schools at the DfE * This is an excellent and innovative book written and organised in a lively and engaging style with many practical ideas and suggestions to inspire all those who work in and with schools. As a school leader I will be able to use the different entries in this book to inform and stimulate discussions and debate as well as to refine our practice and adopt different solutions to accelerate our journey of school improvement. * Dame Sue Johns, Headteacher of Lampton School Academy and Director of the London Leadership Strategy * A brilliant handbook for all Head Teachers and Teachers. It sets high standards for school improvement built on evidence that works. Reading the book encourages reflection on your own practice and creates the enthusiasm to keep reaching for excellence. It is wonderful to have Brighouse and Woods to inspire us once again. * Sue Barratt CBE, Primary Head Teacher *