Analysis of School's Capacity for Change (P01126)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : EDU-P-P01126

This course provides a link between the national perspectives and evaluation focus provided in Course 1 and the context of the individual student's school. It will also help to provide the student with a relevant personal learning focus for the comparative study of Course 3. In order to plan and implement a successful work based learning project (to inform courses 5/6) to effect school improvement, the student needs to:

a) Analyse the school's capacity and need for change

b) Construct a school improvement project plan to bring about the necessary operational and strategic changes to support a successful improvement project which has impact on the culture, ethos and practice of the school and which will enhance pupils' experience and achievement.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will understand:

a) The value and purpose of conducting an in depth analysis of their school and how to identify appropriate contextual strategies
b) Some of the key dilemmas in the school improvement literature e.g. social context, attainment v. achievement, compliance v. creativity
c) The importance of involving the whole school community in the process
d) How to make links between their analysis, the comparative study and the detail of the school improvement project plan
e) The importance of school improvement planning in the wider context of the school, the Local Authority and the Scottish Executive Education Department and HMIE.

Students will be able to:

a) Produce a comprehensive analysis of how their school currently functions across a range of operational aspects reflecting the school improvement literature
b) Use the findings from their analysis to inform the focus of a comparative study in Course 3
c) Produce a comprehensive plan for school improvement, which incorporates specific strategies for improving aspects of the functioning of the school
d) Match the plan to the Standard for Headship to ensure competence in all elements can be demonstrated by the end of the project.

Assessment Information

Students must meet all assessment criteria for each course. All assignments must be related to leadership and management at a whole school level and demonstrate impact on staff practice and pupils' experience and achievement.

- Analysis of School's capacity for Change - 2500 words
- Rationale for School Improvement Project - 1000 words
- Project plan for School Improvement - c.1000 words