Wndall Heights State Schl Executive Summary
1. Intrductin 1.1 Backgrund This reprt is a prduct f a review carried ut at Wndall Heights State Schl frm 15 t 19 May 2015. It prvides an evaluatin f the schl s perfrmance against the nine dmains f the Natinal Schl Imprvement Tl. It als recmmends imprvement strategies fr the schl t cnsider in cnsultatin with its reginal ffice and schl cmmunity. The review and reprt were cmpleted by a review team frm the Schl Imprvement Unit (SIU). Fr mre infrmatin abut the SIU and the new reviews fr Queensland state schls please visit the Department f Educatin and Training (DET) website. 1.2 Schl cntext Lcatin: Educatin regin: Wndall Rad, Many West Metrplitan The schl pened in: 1966 Year levels: Prep t Year 6 Current schl enrlment: 678.4 Indigenus enrlments: Students with disability enrlments: Index f Cmmunity Sci- Educatinal Advantage (ICSEA) value: Year principal appinted: Number f teachers: Nearby schls: Significant cmmunity partnerships: Unique schl prgrams: 6 per cent 8.8 per cent 1024 2014 (acting) 27 (full-time equivalent) Lta State Schl, Wynnum West State Schl, Wynnum State Schl, Manly State Schl, Wynnum High Schl, Brisbane Bayside Cllege Wynnum Manly Cricket, Wynnum Many Rugby League, Rtary, Bunnings The Arts 2
1.3 Review methdlgy The review was cnducted by a team f three reviewers. The review cnsisted f: a pre-review audit f the schl s perfrmance data and ther schl infrmatin cnsultatin with the schl s Assistant Reginal Directr a schl visit f three days interviews with staff, students, parents and cmmunity representatives, including: Principal and three members f the leadership team 26 classrm and specialist teachers Fur staff frm the intensive supprt team Three nn-teaching staff Business Services Manager (BSM) Ten teacher-aides 20 student leaders Parents and Citizens (P&C) assciatin president and treasurer Lcal high schl principal 12 parents The lcal member 1.4 Review team Michelle D Nett Matthew Glen Jhn Cllins Internal reviewer, SIU (review chair) External reviewer Peer reviewer 3
2. Executive summary 2.1 Key findings The leadership team lead a strng imprvement agenda. The schl imprvement agenda has fur stated pririties: reading, writing, prblem slving and differentiatin. The newly develped leadership team is managing changes in structures and prcesses and aligning these t the imprvement agenda. The cmbinatin f structural and pedaggical changes has been significant. Resurces are well aligned t the imprvement agenda t maximise learning. Significant human resurces are cmmitted t supprting schl pririties, strategic interventin and develping teacher capability. Great Results Guarantee (GRG) funds are allcated t the purchase f additinal teacher-aide hurs and tw part-time pedaggical caches. Caching and mentring are in a develpmental phase. Minimal evidence existed f any significant impact f a structured caching and mentring prgram acrss the schl. This has been recgnised and addressed by the schl. The leadership team cnduct classrm walk-thrughs. Explicit instructinal practices in the schl s pedaggical framewrk are incnsistent acrss classrms. The schl leadership team encurages the use f research-based teaching practices, hwever there was limited evidence f explicit instructinal practices embedded acrss the schl. This has been recgnised and is being addressed by the team. The special educatin prgram delivers a respnsive and supprtive envirnment. A team f dedicated teachers and specialist aides prvide a cmbinatin f interventin and supprt prgrams, which includes bth in-class and fcus grup withdrawal lessns. The prgram is grwing significantly, in size and cmplexity. The schl has a well-dcumented curriculum and assessment framewrk. The curriculum and assessment framewrk and delivery plan prvide clear directin fr time allcatins, cntent and assessment strategies acrss all key learning areas drawn frm the Australian Curriculum and the Queensland curriculum. The schl has a cmprehensive perfrming arts prgram. The perfrmance arts prgrams are exemplary and have a psitive impact n the culture f learning and schl-cmmunity partnerships. The schl cmmunity have pride in their schl. 4
2.2 Key imprvement strategies Narrw and sharpen the imprvement agenda and review the timelines and pace f the implementatin prcess. Enhance teacher capability in using explicit instructin practices t imprve the cnsistency f its use acrss the schl. Design an peratinal structure fr the intensive supprt team. Review their rles and respnsibilities and cmmunicate this t schl cmmunity. Develp effective caching and feedback prcesses aligned t the imprvement agenda. Develp links with the early childhd prviders t enable a smth transitin t Prep. 5