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St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School

Forward in Christ

Policy & Summary Of:

Shared & Distributed Leadership

Session 2012 / 2013

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St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School

School Leadership Summary

Contents

H.T. Statement

School Vision, Values and Aims

H.T. Remit

D.H.T. Remit

P.T. Remit

B.M. Remit

C.T. Remit

L.A. Remit

S.Q.I.P. Arrangements

Self - Evaluation Arrangements

Working Groups

Leadership Opportunities Staff

Parents

Pupils

Community

Shared Vision

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Shared and Distributed Leadership: Head Teacher Statement

Underlying Principles

Successful leadership in education demands among other things:

Clarity of purpose and the ability to communicate that purpose

The capacity to cut through complexity

A desire to learn and to inspire learning at all levels

Effective use of available resources

Constant focus on impacts and outcomes for each learner

Developing leadership is also about releasing the energies of every member of staff and every

learner and about giving each of them a sense that their contributions are valued. Ultimate

responsibility rests with the head teacher but all members of staff must be committed to and feel

accountable for their own development and performance.

Leadership for Learning - May 2007

Shared and Distributive Leadership: Headteacher Statement

My Vision, Values and Aims for St. Mary ’s R.C. Primary School are:

To create a culture where there is strong leadership at every level of our school and every member of

the school community shares the school’s vision. Features of this culture will include:

high expectations on the part of all members of the school community – staff, pupils, parents and

the wider community

effective management systems including rigorous analysis of attainment and performance data and

appropriate response to this data

opportunities for staff and learners to be involved in developments and to lead tasks

regular staff group and team meetings and discussions

effective use of funding and timetabling

teamwork, partnerships, collaboration and networking to bring benefits to learners through joint

improvement activities

all leaders in the school work in supportive and complementary ways

To provide the leadership, management, vision, values, aims and resources that will enable every pupil

and member of staff to fully realise their potential in all that they do. I believe leadership in primary

schools is both individual and shared and everyone’s involvement is crucial to success in the, ‘Journey

to Excellence’.

To offer and support leadership responsibilities through, ‘Leading Learning’ for all staff to ensure

improvement for children’s whole school experience.

To fully involve everyone in decision making by empowering staff and by implementing a collegiate

approach to management.

To extend our achievements and aim for excellence in all that we do though a process of continuous

self evaluation and school improvement which is agreed, led and evaluated by staff, pupils, parents and

other stakeholders

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My Leadership Role as Headteacher is to:

Ensure that all members of the school community share a common vision for the school’s continuing

improvement. Staff will be able to articulate the progress that the school has made and its next steps in

improvement and will share a common purpose.

Ensure that leadership at all levels has a positive impact on pupils’ learning and experiences

Lead by example and advise stakeholders on local and national directives, priorities and guidelines.

Encourage, support, nurture and guide staff, pupils, parents and working groups as they lead specific

areas of school improvement to benefit children’s learning in line with, ‘Curriculum for Excellence’

and provide them with constructive feedback through adopting a coaching and mentoring approach.

Allocate the resources necessary for working groups, staff & pupils to lead school improvement in

which sustainability is a crucial factor and recognise that the school’s most important resource are the

people in its community.

Encourage and support children as a class and individually through creating opportunities for them to

develop and use their leadership skills in the choices they make in their daily lives, the choice to be

members of different pupil groups, their choice in their approach to learning and the way they influence

others around them.

Work with parents as partners through the Parent Forum to ensure the best possible quality of education

is provided for our children.

To support and involve the Parish and local community in the life of the school.

I shall do this by:

Implementing a collegiate style of leadership and management where stakeholders are fully involved in

the decision making process at regular Staff Meetings, Pupil Council Meetings and Parent Council/

Forum Meetings.

Ensuring decisions are open and transparent.

Managing Risk

Monitoring and evaluating practice through self evaluation and professional review and identifying and

agreeing areas for improvement which benefit pupils.

Planning systematically for change and by leading change and improvement at an appropriate pace.

Ensuring school improvement is agreed by stakeholders and is led by working groups.

Delegating areas of responsibility, taking account of staff’s skills, aptitudes and interests, to lead school

improvement and also provide opportunities for career development.

Ensuring successful completion of tasks will enhance provision within the school.

Ensuring appropriate resources are available and used effectively.

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School Vision and Values:

We will endeavour to create an educational environment of the highest quality which:

(i) provides children with the necessary skills for life: Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and

Integrity

(ii) values and respects each individual and

(iii) works in partnership for the good of all.

We will believe and achieve through a passion for success, the promotion of collaboration and a sense

of personal responsibility.

We are committed to and follow the mission set out in ‘A Charter for Catholic Schools in Scotland’.

School Aims:

Within the context of a school with Catholic values we aim to promote religious principles for living

appropriate to children of all faiths. These principles will influence the children in school and beyond

and will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

We aim:

to ensure that all learners experience a stimulating and challenging Scottish curriculum

that delivers skills for learning, life and work.

to provide a variety of active learning experiences in real life contexts where high

achievement is recognized and celebrated.

to provide effective, integrated support which ensures the health, well being and holistic

development of all pupils.

to nurture the faith in our catholic pupils and to celebrate the cultural, ethnic and

religious diversity of all. Our Christian faith and values will inspire us to provide a

welcoming, safe and caring environment.

We also aim to follow the Principles for Curriculum Design outlined in ‘Curriculum for Excellence’

which are to provide:

Challenge and Enjoyment

Breadth

Progression

Depth

Personalisation and Choice

Coherence

Relevance

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St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School Staff Remits

The remits in this document reflect staff duties and responsibilities as of school session 2012 -2013.

Staff remits will be reviewed and revised on a regular basis.

Senior Management Team Remits

School Session 2012 - 2013

Head Teacher:

TASK DESCRIPTION

Overall leadership & management in all areas

Ethos

Discipline, Pastoral care

SQIP

Effective learning & teaching

Absence/Supply cover

Monitoring & evaluation – P1 – P4

Resources P1 – P4

Staffing & Budget Planning

National targets

Achievement & Assessment

Tracking – P1 – P4

Quality assurance

Deployment of Staff

Professional review – P1 – P4

Timetables

Partnership with parents

Partnership with Education Dept.

Parent Forum

Child Planning Meetings

CAT planning & implementation

Promotion of the school

Cluster development

Community & Outside agency links

School Policies

Numeracy Co-ordinator

Modern languages Co-ordinator

Newsletter

ASL Overview

Pupil Council

Assemblies

Depute Head Teacher

TASK DESCRIPTION

Deputise for AHT

Ethos

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Discipline, Pastoral care

Effective learning & teaching

Development planning

Absence/Supply cover

CAT planning & Implementation

Monitoring & evaluation – P5 – P7

Professional review – P6/7, P7

Partnership with parents

Achievement & Assessment

Tracking – P5 – P7

Child Planning Meetings

Residential Experience

Promotion of the school

Resources – P5 – P7

‘Buddy’ Co-ordinator

Timetables

Community & Outside agency links

SQIP

ICT Co-ordinator

ECO Co-ordinator

Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator

Assemblies

Transition P7 – S1

Principal Teacher

TASK DESCRIPTION

Deputise for ADHT/HT

Ethos, Pastoral Care

Discipline

Effective learning & teaching

Probationer Support/Student Placements

School website

Global Citizenship/International Schools

Assemblies

Professional review P5

Business Manager TASK DESCRIPTION

FINANCE Devolved School Budget

School Fund Management

SMT Management Meetings

SQIP (Non – Teaching Staff)

STAFFING Managing Staffing Entitlements

Recruitment & Selection

Absence Management

Professional Review (Non-Teaching Staff)

Line Manager to support staff

Classroom cover

CPD – course bookings

FACILITIES Property Maintenance Management

Building Risk Assessment

Fire Drill Procedures

Health & Safety

Security Management

Accommodation co-ordinator – lets etc.

ADMINISTRATION Secretarial & Clerical Systems Management

Support Staff Meetings

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Class Teacher:

TASK DESCRIPTION

To work in partnership with the Head Teacher to implement Curriculum for

Excellence.

To plan and prepare lessons

To deliver high quality learning & teaching

To support pupils in their learning

To assess pupil progress

To mark pupils’ work, evaluate pupil performance and identify next steps in learning

To maintain records of pupils’ progress

To prepare reports on pupils’ progress

To consult with and work in partnership with parents, colleagues in school and other

agencies

To work in partnership with the Senior Management Team towards successful

implementation of the School Standards Quality and Improvement Plan

To make optimum use of national agreement time in terms of personal development

and whole school development

To participate in ongoing professional review and development

To identify and take part in appropriate continuous professional development

To be involved in shared and distributed leadership of the school.

SFL Teacher

TASK DESCRIPTION

Direct support for pupils – planning, teaching, assessing, evaluating,

recording and reporting

Diagnostic assessment/standardised testing

Referrals of children for outreach / outside agency support (OT, SALT, Ed.

Psych.)

IEPs/ASPs/CSPs

Use of ICT to support pupils

Involvement in Pupil Support Group

Preparation of reports for SFL pupils

Preparation of SFL policy with Head Teacher

Work with HT on ASL compliance and updates

ASL audit

Liaison with and advice to class teachers and Learning Assistants

SFL Teacher meetings

Wind Instrument Music Specialist (Wednesday mornings)

TASK DESCRIPTION

Wind Instrument Instruction

General musical support for school performances etc

The Learning Assistants in St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School are an integral part of the school

team and contribute greatly to the process of learning and teaching.

LEARNING ASSISTANT

TASK DESCRIPTION

LEARNING & TEACHING Care and welfare of pupils

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Liaise with colleagues in planning and developing systems

Work directly with pupils to deliver effective learning and teaching

Support/promote pupil’s social skills

Literacy & Numeracy programmes

Computer programme (Type to learn & Clicker) Trained

Dyslexia programme-Trained

Maintain/update resources

CLASSROOM ADMINISTRATION

Photocopying

Laminating

Spine binding

Filing

Learning Journey Folders/Scrapbooks

Collect and return classroom/teacher resources

Mounting of work for display purposes

Classroom displays

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Photocopying

Filing

GENERAL

Playground Supervise morning/lunch breaks

Follow implement behaviour policy

School events

Assist in running of book fair

Setting up for Christmas parties/Events

School camp (not every year)

Escorting/supervising small groups

Meadowbank Interscholastic

Commonwealth pool swimming competitions

Staff Tea monies

Resource Bases Organise/upkeep of resources areas

Co-ordinated/organised/ordered new topic boxes

Finance

Cash handling - Collection/receipt/recording

Cash handling - Daily dinner money

Cash handling - Milk money per session

Cash handling - Outing/trip money

FIRST AID/OTHER

First Aid Trained

Child Protection – in house trained

PARENTS AND PUPILS

At St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School we value the contributions made to the life and ethos of the

school by our parents and pupils and see them as valuable stakeholders in our consultation

process.

It is seen as Very Good practice that:

‘Our parents play in an important part in their children’s learning and development and engage

with us with confidence’.

‘Our learners know that their views are sought and acted on and that they are responsible and

contribute actively to the life of the school and wider community’ HGIOS 3 – March 2007

We embrace this ideal and actively try to engage both parents and pupils in key decision making

and consultation exercises. We hold regular parent meetings, workshops and parent council

meetings. The members of our Parent Council and wider parental body contribute regularly to

school events and fundraising activities.

Both our Parent and Pupil Councils have written and agreed constitutions which have been

included in Appendices 3 and 4 of this policy document.

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LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Parents take lead responsibility for:

Parent Council / Parent Forum

Fundraising

Library Development

Garden Development

Pupils take lead responsibility for:

Pupil Council

Fair Trade

Playground Games

Playground support for younger pupils

Support for Transition

Fundraising Activities

International Development & Citizenship

Standards Quality and Improvement Plan (SQIP) Arrangements

All staff audit Current SQIP in term 2 and end of term 3

Successes are recognised and priorities for new SQIP are identified

Draft SQIP is produced by SMT and discussed with staff at May in-service

day.

Draft SQIP is shared with Parent Council and Pupil Council

Final SQIP is agreed and aligned with cluster SQIP

Ongoing review of progress with implementation of SQIP takes place

throughout school session

Staff are fully involved in all of the above procedures and take a lead role

where appropriate

Self Evaluation by School Management Team (SMT)

The school management team distributes leadership to staff through involving

staff members in quality assurance procedures as follows:

Staff receive written feedback to their forward plans and there is a meeting

between SMT member and staff member to discuss the feedback

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Staff and pupils receive written feedback when the SMT samples pupils’

work and there is a meeting between SMT member and staff member to

discuss the feedback

SMT meet with pupils to discuss their learning and gauge how the children

feel about how their learning and teaching is progressing

Staff receive written feedback after shared classroom experience visits

involving both SMT and staff members and there is a meeting between SMT

member and staff member or staff member and staff member to discuss the

feedback

Staff carry out City of Edinburgh close look audits using CEC Toolkit and

HGIOS 3.

Head Teacher provides staff with questionnaires to enable them to evaluate

developments of new school initiatives.

All staff (Teaching & Non – Teaching) participate in the City of Edinburgh

Professional Review and Development procedures on an annual basis.

Staff Involvement in Working Groups

Staff are involved in school development work both as individuals and working

groups. Staff are involved both as participants or in a lead role. Individuals

doing development work or as part of a working group are currently operating

in the school.

Leadership Opportunities

Staff currently have the following leadership opportunities:

Mathematics & Numeracy Development

International Development & Citizenship

Science

I.C.T.

School Website

Modern Languages

ECO Schools

Fair Trade Accreditation

Road Safety

Playground Activities

Outdoor learning

R.E.

St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School Wider Community

We aim to work with the Parish and local community to ensure the surrounding

environment is safe and secure for pupils, parents, staff and residents.

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Feedback on all aspects of our school from the community is welcomed,

appreciated and acted upon and is an integral part of school life at St. Mary’s

R.C. Primary School.

Events which support the community and the school will be organised and

promoted locally.

St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School values the work of the Parish and community

and will support and involve this community whenever appropriate and possible.

Shared Vision

The Head Teacher shares the school vision with staff, parents, pupils and

community through:

Staff meetings (Teaching & Non-Teaching)

SQIP procedures

Fortnightly Newsletters

School Assemblies

Audit of Practice using HGIOS 3

This policy is accompanied by the following appendices.

APPENDIX 1

Comparative sheet showing job remits of school management team in detail as

well as overview of teaching staff devolved responsibilities.

APPENDIX 2

Extract from QI 7.2 within HGIOS 3 entitled ‘Staff Development & Teamwork’

which forms the overall vision of this policy.

APPENDIX 3

Copy of constitution of Parent Council and Parent Forum in line with legislation

of Parental Involvement Act.

APPENDIX 4

Copy of constitution of Pupil Council which meets on a fortnightly basis.