PROJECT: TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR SMALL SCHOOL MANAGEMENT AND INCLUSION

Project Leader: Churcham Primary School
Schools in Cluster: Churcham, Huntley, Minsterworth, Tibberton

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
· To share, wherever possible, management workload involving reading and writing documentation, attending briefings and training.
· To develop an ICT link between the schools for circulating information.
· To purchase hardware and software resources to enhance inclusion.

Collaboration
· The effect on inter-school co-operation has been excellent. It has enhanced the work of the cluster and given it a clear focus.
· Heads meet once per term but keep in frequent contact – e-pages are a resource bank for staff, governors and secretaries.
· Joint INSET and governor training sessions have been held.
· There has been a very positive impact on administration time and it has been very advantageous for Heads in sharing work load. Similar strategies are planned for teaching staff.
· Secretaries have developed their own network.

REPLICABILITY
· This project can be easily replicated by other clusters. Careful initial planning is required and frequent contact between schools is essential.
· Advice from the LEA ICT consultants will facilitate the setting up of ICT links.

CONTRIBUTION TO STANDARDS
· The ability of Heads to keep pace with change by sharing workload has significantly raised the quality of school management.
· The inclusion aspect of the project has not been fully developed as yet but the purchase of SEN resources is already having a beneficial effect on standards.

SUSTAINABILITY
After initial set up costs the project has little day-to-day cost. In fact, savings have been made particularly in training costs. Time needs to be invested to make the project effective.