Welcome

Introduction
School improvement teams in local councils provide advice and support to schools in a range of areas including: school management and leadership; curriculum and assessment; school improvement; and professional development of staff.  The remit of a school improvement adviser is to support, advise and challenge the school in its drive for continuing improvement through a programme of visits throughout the year.  School improvement advisers work for unitary, county and metropolitan councils.

Work Environment
School improvement advisers are office-based, but spend a lot of time visiting schools and attending meetings with other professionals.

Daily Activities
School improvement advisers work closely with a designated group of schools in the local area providing appropriate support, challenge and intervention.  A visit to a school might include some of the following tasks:

• observing lessons and suggesting ways to improve teachers' performance;
• evaluating pupils' progress and attainment;
• organising in-service training for teachers and head teachers;
• providing support in the lead-up to ESTYN (the office of Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales) inspections;
• drawing up post ESTYN inspection action plans based on identified areas for improvement;
• using school and comparative data to help schools set achievable, but demanding targets in pupil attainment, teaching and learning, leadership and management, resource planning, and professional development;
• monitoring a school's progress against targets;
• promoting any council initiatives such as literacy schemes, or special needs programmes;
• providing strategic direction;
• advising Governing Bodies on school performance, improvement strategies and Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher appointments; 
• conducting reviews in and provide support for specific schools in difficulties.

School improvement advisers might also get involved with a range of other activities related to the council's children and young people and education policies, such as:

• writing reports and recommendations indicating how far standards and targets set by the Government are being met by the council and its schools;
• liaising with ESTYN inspectors;
• working with local universities and training providers to develop training materials for teacher training;
• assessing trainee teachers. 

Skills & Interests
School improvement advisers need:

• excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build relationships with a range of different people, from pupils, teachers, head teachers to governors and other professionals; 
• drive to achieve continuous improvement in schools;
• an understanding of how schools and the education system work;
• good listening skills;
• an ability to assimilate and interpret information quickly;
• good report writing skills.

Entry Requirements
The basic requirement is an initial degree and qualified teacher status.  Experience of working as a teacher is essential however senior management experience may also be required.

Future Prospects & Opportunities
There is a clearly defined promotion path to senior and principal improvement adviser.  There could be possible promotion routes to chief education officer, or head of children's services.  There are also opportunities in related areas linked to specific initiatives and specialisms such as Early Years Education, Literacy and Numeracy.

Further Information & Services
Association of Professionals in Education and Children's Trusts www.aspect.org.uk
Department for Education www.education.gov.uk
Education jobs www.eteach.com
ESTYN  www.estyn.gov.uk
General Teaching Council for Wales www.gtcw.org.uk
Welsh Government. www.wales.gov.uk  

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers office or school careers library.