Highfields State Schl Executive Summary
1. Intrductin 1.1 Backgrund This reprt is a prduct f a review carried ut at Highfields State Schl frm 31 March t 2 April 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: 10459 New England Highway, Highfields Darling Dwns Suth West The schl pened in: 1870 Year levels: Prep t Year 6 Current schl enrlment: 754 Indigenus enrlments: Students with disability enrlments: Index f Cmmunity Sci- Educatinal Advantage (ICSEA) value: 5 per cent 6 per cent 1045 Year principal appinted: 2009 Number f teachers: Nearby schls: Significant cmmunity partnerships: Unique schl prgrams: 43.7 full time equivalent Highfields State High Schl University Suthern Qld Leadership Research Institute, Highfields C&K Kindergarten, Fresh Hpe- Family Supprt, Australian Defence Frce- Pastral Care Prgram Speech and Drama Prgram, Strings, Brass and Wdwind Prgrams, Chess Club, Opti- Minds, Cws Create Careers Prgram. 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, Deputy Principals, Head f Curriculum (HOC) and Head f Special Educatin Services (HOSES) Business services manager (BSM) 37 class teachers 18 students including student leaders President Highfields State Schl Parents and Citizens Assciatin (P&C) and a selectin f ther parents Eight teacher-aides Cmmunity partners including principals f neighburing schls and Highfields kindergarten 1.4 Review team Gary Austen Gayle Alessi Beth Everill Internal Reviewer, SIU (review chair) Peer Reviewer Peer Reviewer 3
2. Executive summary 2.1 Key findings The schl has a stated imprvement agenda with a clear fcus n reading, and an emerging emphasis n number and inclusivity. The current schl imprvement agenda prvides a brad framewrk fr actin. Schl leaders, staff and parents are cmmitted t imprvement and indicate an awareness f the wrk the schl is undertaking t imprve literacy and numeracy. Schl leaders wrk with individual staff members and teams t build imprved student utcmes, hwever additinal clarity regarding the rles and relatinships is required. Schl leaders and teams are united in their cmmitment t schl imprvement. Further clarity and chesin abut the interrelated rles and relatinships between schl leaders and teams will enhance whle-schl effectiveness. Teachers use effective pedaggical practices in all year levels. Teachers use a range f effective classrm practices. Further cnsistency f practice acrss all year levels will drive sustainable imprvements in student achievement. Schl leaders value the imprtance f classrm bservatin, feedback, caching and mentring. Schl leaders have implemented frmal classrm bservatin, feedback and caching prcesses in previus years. Plans are in place fr these prcesses t be re-enacted in 2015. Teachers wrk t differentiate instructin fr students, hwever a deliberate strategy t develp and track the perfrmance f high-achieving students is nt apparent. The schl is targeting an imprvement in relative gains fr students acrss different junctures in learning. A deliberate and strategic apprach t drive imprvement is emerging, with a particular fcus n the achievement f mre able students. Schl leaders and teachers discuss a range f data surces that infrm classrm teaching prgrams. Schl leaders and teachers use and discuss a range f systemic and schl data surces t analyse and mnitr student achievement. The schl is targeting the develpment f enhanced data literacy fr teachers. 4
2.2 Key imprvement strategies Sharpen the schl s imprvement agenda t include specific strategies, targets and milestnes fr imprvement that directly relate t student learning gains. Ensure that the agenda is widely cmmunicated and understd acrss the schl. Embed a strategic apprach regarding the develpment f a feedback culture acrss the schl. Align the prvisin f frmalised feedback, caching and mentring t the schl imprvement agenda. Refine the alignment f the schl curriculum plan and pedaggical framewrk t enable the cnsistent delivery and mnitring f learning acrss the whle schl. Build the differentiatin practices f teachers, with a key fcus n assuring the prgress f high-achieving students. Enact a deliberate, schl-wide strategy, fr the teaching f higher-rder and creative thinking. Carefully track and respnd t the prgress f mre able students. Review and clarify the rles f schl and instructinal leaders, within and beynd teams. Ensure clear cmmunicatin f key expectatins fr teaching and learning acrss the whle schl. 5