Programme Overview
The going for great programme has been created for schools that are Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ to support them on their journey to becoming world class. This programme allows schools to share and build on outstanding practice and what is currently working well in schools, enabling them to demonstrate sustained school to school leadership.
The Programme Structure
- Two leaders from each of the G4G schools meet once a half term for a seminar in a venue in central London at which eminent speakers give presentation on the features of Great Schools. Previously guest speakers have included Tim Brighouse, Steve Munby, Alistair Smith, Alma Harris and Estelle Morris.
- Seminars usually take place between 9am -1pm and are followed by lunch and networking. The networking opportunity is a good forum for colleagues to explore the nature of greatness in schools, to share and discuss research and to recommend useful reading materials.
- Visits take place between the schools on the programme to share great practice between outstanding schools.
- Each G4G school will write a case study of an area of great practice in their institution which is included in an annual G4G publication circulated to schools in London.
Aims of the Programme
- To encapsulate key features and qualities of schools which are consistently outstanding, in order to better understand how outstanding schools become great schools.
- To share exceptional practice demonstrated in outstanding schools and by the leaders of outstanding schools to support all schools on the G2G programme in moving towards becoming great schools.
- To support schools rated outstanding by OFSTED in maintaining this designation in subsequent inspections.
- To support outstanding schools in maximising their impact on the local, national and/or international community, through effective systemic leadership.
- To ensure that outstanding schools are helping to make education in London world class, contributing to the vision of London as the leading urban education service in the world through having system wide impact.
- To support succession planning both in outstanding schools and those that they are working with.
Impact
Four of the 24 G4G schools are in the first cohort of Teaching Schools (out of a total of 15 London schools from all phases)
There were over 55 school to school visits in the 2010-11 academic year.
April 2012 (cohort 3 school leaders) comments
The programme has been high quality throughout. The opportunity to meet other colleagues, visit their schools and discuss ‘greatness’ has consistently provided inspiration
A truly brilliant course. Thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a lot
This course has been a fantastic opportunity and a great learning journey