Secondary e-newsletter – spring 2010

Using Data for Improvement

A range of new data resources are now available on the National Strategies web area for individual, team, subject and senior leader use. These offer help to schools and LAs to analyse their data when evaluating the progress and outcomes of vulnerable groups. By carrying out more precise evaluation, they can then outline actions to narrow gaps with improved results.

A useful resource is the Venn Analysis tool that can be found as part of Element 6 of Stronger Management Systems on the National Strategies web area. The Narrowing the Gaps section is also a good point of reference.

Narrowing the Gaps: from data analysis to practice – a practical guide (DCSF ref: 00912-2009PDF-EN-01) is a valuable resource for senior and middle leaders which is available on the Narrowing the Gap section of the National Strategies web area. It consists of four data workshops for staff development that can be used flexibly for whole-school training, middle leader development and/or cross-phase workshops:

Workshop 1 provides a cross-phase overview and focuses on developing a shared understanding of good progress and sources of data.

Workshop 2 explores effective use of school-level and pupil-level data, including use of interactive RAISE online, to analyse attainment.

Workshop 3 explores effective use of school-level and pupil-level data, including use of interactive RAISE online, to analyse progress.

Workshop 4 rounds off the process by applying the analysis to pupils in school now.

The Resources section provides resource sheets for each workshop. These include relevant graphs and charts, questions for discussion and space for recording issues and observations.

Spring term 2010 also brings the publication of further e-learning data modules for teachers, middle and senior leaders in schools who wish to use RAISE online in identifying and supporting pupils at risk of under- attainment. These modules will help to assist the learner in modelling analysis, sorting, interrogation and saving of reports.