SUBJECT SURVEYS

For a variety of reasons, the senior managers in schools are often more effective at leading and managing than staff in middle management positions. Yet, judgements about leadership and management reflect the effectiveness of all staff in positions of responsibility – since all impact on the outcomes for pupils’ and on a school’s overall performance. Illumine’s Subject Surveys have been devised in a way that strengthens the self-evaluation skills of middle managers, as well as supporting overall school improvement and contributing to the evidence you are able to provide for your OFSTED inspection. You might choose to undertake our subject survey for your core subjects and / or for any subjects where you are aware of possible underperformance or a lack of rigour in middle managers’ self-evaluation records.

The purpose of Illumine’s Subject Surveys is to determine and provide specific evidence of how effectively your provision impacts on pupils achievement and development. Our survey closely reflects the model used for the OFSTED subject surveys that are being conducted across the country. Completing the Illumine Subject Survey and having it analysed by an Illumine consultant provides you with strong documentary evidence of your school’s effectiveness in the particular subject. It also gives you insight into how you might improve or fine-tune your existing provision.

Using this service provides you with evidence of:

• how effective your school’s provision is in the subject;
• how well the subject is led and managed;
• the progress, enjoyment and achievement of pupils in the subject;
• the quality of teaching and learning;
• how well your curriculum in the subject meets the needs of different groups of pupils.

Taken together, the completed survey, our subject consultant’s analysis and recommendations, and any follow-up action you decide to take provide powerful evidence of the rigour of your school’s self-evaluation. The findings of this survey will also contribute significantly to your SEF.

How this service works:

• On receipt of your booking form, we send you a self-evaluation questionnaire.
• You complete the questionnaire and return it, together with a copy of your latest PANDA, to Illumine for analysis.
• You receive a written critique and recommendations for action, produced by a consultant who is specialist in the subject.
• You take any necessary action to develop your provision or strengthen your monitoring / evidence base.
• You include the survey and a record of your response to it in your self-evaluation evidence base in preparation for your inspection.
• Undertaking this sharply focused self-evaluation activity develops the leadership and management skills of the staff involved.