Introduction
Councils have a duty to ensure that the schools in their area
provide a good standard of education. School improvement
managers monitor, challenge and support schools in order to raise
standards. They work for county, unitary. metropolitan
councils or consortiums. They are known in some councils as
education development managers.
Work Environment
School improvement managers are based in offices however due to
the nature of their work spend a lot of time visiting schools and
attending meetings with other educational professionals.
Daily Activities
School improvement managers are usually responsible for a group of
schools. They manage a team of school improvement advisers who are
each allocated a number of schools within the group. The School
Improvement Manager is required to support the implementation of
the school improvement strategies of their local authority or
Consortium. The number of visits that each school may receive each
year will vary depending on the degree of support required. .
Where weaknesses are identified, school improvement managers may be
required to provide advice to governing bodies and Headteachers in
developing an action plan. This may occur specifically following an
ESTYN inspection.
ESTYN inspectors may class a school that they regard as not
providing satisfactory education as underperforming i.e. in need of
significant improvement or in special measures. Schools and
education departments have to undertake to put matters right and
depending on the severity of the grading must produce a number of
reports, assessments and action plans within a set time period.
They then have a fixed time scale for implementing the action
plans, before a further inspection is carried out.
School Improvement Managers may also act as advisers to head
teachers and school governors on a variety of matters - including
selection of head teachers. When a headship becomes vacant they,
will assist the governors in drawing up a shortlist of suitable
candidates and sit on the interview panel. Legally, they have only
an advisory role, but should the governors appoint someone who in
their opinion is unsuitable, they advise the governors in writing
of their reservations.
School improvement managers also spend time reading educational
reports, documents and keeping up to date with changes in education
policy and changes in the law that affect schools.
Skills & Interests
School improvement managers must:
- have excellent communication skills;
- be able to gain the confidence and trust of head teachers and
teachers;
- be good leaders;
- possess negotiating skills;
- be diplomatic and persuasive - and firm when the occasion
requires;
- enjoy working in a team;
- be good organisers and good time managers, able to balance
conflicting demands on their time.
Entry Requirements
The basic requirement is an initial degree and qualified teacher
status.. Many require higher level postgraduate qualifications such
as masters degrees or advanced diplomas in education. Since
school improvement managers must have a high level of credibility
with teachers, governors and parents, many are former teachers,
(often head teachers). Many also have experience as school
inspectors. Others have experience in educational
administration in councils' education departments.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Some authorities may employ up to two School Improvement Managers
(one for Primary the other for Secondary). A Consortium
arrangement may employ more. 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.