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4 | SHEF F IELD HIGH SCHOOL | SPECIAL REPORT


“WHEN YOU EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE ALL THE AMAZING WORK THAT YOUR STAFF AND PUPILS ARE PASSING THE TEST


Sheffield High School received an ‘excellent’ rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate after its most recent inspection. Valerie Dunsford and Nina Gunson discuss the reasons for its success


In 2008, Sheffield High School was judged to be ‘good’ by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). The school was popular with parents, while pupils’ achievements both academically and in co-curricular activities were commendable. The whole school community knew, though, that it had the capacity to be outstanding. A five-year plan was put into action and in 2013, it achieved an ‘excellent’ rating. Preparing for an inspection can be a daunting


prospect for the best of schools, but it needn’t be. Based on the school’s experience, five key areas a school needs to focus on emerge:


1


Aiming high One of the most important steps a school can


take to boost its inspection rating is to aim high in every area of school life. This approach is particularly effective when it encompasses staff and students. At Sheffield High, graded lesson observation became part of the school’s standard practice. This gives teachers more objective feedback and helps them to gain confidence in the quality of their teaching. Through lesson observation, teachers can be offered support and guidance, helping to counter feelings of isolation in the classroom. Teachers become used to having visitors in their classrooms too, which can reduce anxiety during inspection. Sheffield High also focuses on developing the


leadership skills of both staff and students through coaching, courses and other activities, such as ensuring students have a voice and play a key role in the school’s development. This can really unite a school community in driving standards.


2


Teaching and learning excellence It is vital that schools recognise what makes


an excellent lesson and ensure this is replicated across the curriculum. This is the cornerstone of a successful inspection. Pooling the expertise of a skilled team of teachers can take teaching to the next level. Sharing best practice through discussion groups, learning walks and peer observation are key parts of the training offered at Sheffield High. Having an open door culture where every teacher


gives and takes advice can be a powerful way to encourage good teaching and learning. Not only is this approach a great source of inspiration for designing and delivering consistently high-quality teaching, it means that teachers come to welcome evaluation and are fully prepared when the inspectors arrive.


3


Inspiration from beyond the school gates Collaboration and partnership work have been


an important part of Sheffield High’s development. Teachers learn from each other by carrying out learning walks, both within their own subject area and also across other departments. These short, informal lesson drop-ins are often paired and so promote reflective dialogue between teachers. As part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), the


school has also forged close links with a number of schools. This allows for exchange visits with other schools in the local area – including those which are state-funded – and these are not occasional events: learning walks, for example, take place every day in some form and can help to promote the quality of education being delivered.


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