Case Study
Leading the Professional Learning of Support Staff
Overview
A programme of development around ‘Leading the Professional Learning of Support staff’ was designed and delivered in response to three local authorities wishing to develop good practice in performance management and development for support staff in schools.
The programme included four facilitated sessions and intercessional tasks. A range of associate /support staff attended the programme from three local authorities; Doncaster; North Lincolnshire; and North East Lincolnshire.
Outcomes of the programme for participants
- Awareness of the competencies needed to lead others
- Development of some key competencies and associated skills and strategies
- Ability to implement own learning within the working context
- An understanding of professional learning opportunities for support staff, professional standards and performance management and the links between the three elements
Outcomes of the programme for the local authorities involved
- Make progress towards establishing LA/cross LA guidance for the Performance Management and Development of support staff
- Sharing of personal learning and development of participants with others
Participation of Long Toft School, Doncaster
Background
Long Toft School is in a disadvantaged area of Doncaster. The Head teacher, Alison Rahman, is passionate that all the staff work together so that all children in the school have the opportunity to reach their full potential. At the time of the programme the school had six Senior Learning Support Staff and sixteen Learning Support Staff in different areas within the school.
When appointed Alison set about changing the culture of the school by promoting a management structure with equal respect for all. An example of this is that names are in alphabetical order, rather than hierarchical. She introduced a programme on Restorative Practice and this has already played a big part in developing associate staff.
Alison was looking for a cohesive programme that would further develop the Senior Learning Support Staff in understanding performance management and enable them to take responsibility for the Performance Management of the Learning Support Assistants thus giving them status.
Impact on the Learning Support Staff
The evaluation of the programme from the staff was positive.
Alison Rahman said that her Senior Support Staff....
- ‘Are much more confident and skilled´
- ‘Track their own intervention´
- ‘Feel as though they have impact´
- ‘Have real status´
- ‘Feel confident in managing performance management´
This has been achieved by the Head teacher having total commitment to the development of Support Staff and giving them the time and support to develop their skills.
The Senior Support Staff now have responsibility for the Performance management of specified members of staff and undertake joint observations, which are validated by the Head teacher.
The commitment of the Head teacher to develop the support staff has cut the supply budget by 40% and played a part in raising the standards of attainment.
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