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Specialist Schools: a model for NI

This article discusses the specialist school concept as a model for school improvement in Northern Ireland. It explores the benefits of identifying and building on existing strengths, the impact on school performance, and the objectives of the specialist school model in NI.

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Specialist Schools: a model for NI

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  1. Specialist Schools:a model for NI

  2. The Context Entitled to Succeed • Revised Curriculum • Entitlement Framework • Wider choice of schools • Pupil Profile

  3. The Specialist SchoolConcept • Whole school improvement • Identifies and builds on existing strength • Broad curriculum not focused on specialism • Develops links with other schools and local community

  4. What makes it work? It is not the particular specialism that makes the difference - it is the process of identifying and building on the school’s existing strength.

  5. How does specialism build school improvement ? • Creates a framework for self review • Ensures developments in the specialist area are used to benefit other curriculum areas • Enhances a sense of purpose and direction within the school and in relationship with other schools and the community • Creates a supportive network of schools

  6. Specialist Schools: the experience in England Research evidence shows: • Improved pupil and teacher motivation • Improved pupil performance • Rise in perceived status

  7.   David Bell, HMI Chief Inspector of Schools   “Being a specialist school makes a difference. Working to declared targets, dynamic leadership, a renewed sense of purpose, targeted use of funding and being a contributor to an optimistic network of like minded schools, all contribute to a climate for improvement and drive forward change.”

  8. Objectives of the NI Specialist School Model • To raise standards and improve performance for all young people. • To promote school/school and school/FE co-operation and collaboration. • To increase the range of school choices.

  9. The application process • A 4 year school development plan • A 4 year community development plan • Sponsorship • Year 1 Support Grant

  10. What will schools get? • Four years designation as a specialist school • £100 per pupil recurrent funding • £100k support grant in the first year • £25k Private Sponsorship

  11. Tailoring specialist schools to the local context • Pilot cohorts will start small • Lessons learned will affect roll-out • Ongoing, organic process

  12. Specialist Schools Pilot Year 1 • Angela Smith announcedNI’s first Specialist Schools on 14 March 2006 • Following a 2-stage process and based on the advice of an independent panel, 12 schools were selected to operate as specialists from Sept 06

  13. Year 1 Pilot Schools • Limavady High School: Arts-Performing • Glengormley High School: ICT • Belfast Model for Girls: ICT • Ashfield Girls High: ICT • St Louise’s College: Arts-Performing • St John’s High School: B&E • St Mary's College: Science • St Cecilia’s College: Arts-Performing • Shimna I C: Languages • St Malachy’s: Music • Lumen Christi College: Science • Ballyclare High: ICT

  14. COHORT II SCHOOLS

  15. Year 2: Objectives • Core objectives of the Pilot have been enhanced to include an additional objective that will ensure schools are taking steps to implement the “Learning for Life and Work” element of the revised curriculum. • The application process has been modified to establish a more explicit link to e2s aims and objectives.

  16. Year 2: Cohort 2Application Process • The application round for the second year of the pilot was announced to schools on 30 November. Successful schools were designated from September 2007 • 13 schools will be designated from September 2007

  17. Changes to the Application Process for Cohort 2 • All qualifying schools will be allowed to submit a full application • Joint applications will also be considered

  18. Changes to the Specialisms • ICT no longer a stand alone specialism for year 2; ICT is developed in all of the specialisms • Engineering has been removed • Flexible definition remains

  19. Changes to the School and Community Development Plans • Equal emphasis has been placed on the School Development Plan and Community Development Plan • Further encourage schools to develop and set targets for their work with other schools, FE and the local community

  20. Timeframe for Cohort 2

  21. Specialist Schools – NI model Q&A

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