Action plans are an essential part of being an effective subject leader. An action plan provides direction for the subject, ensures it is well-managed and organised, and that the needs of staff and learners are met.

 

Subject leaders are responsible for securing high standards of teaching and learning in their subject. They play a key role in being an advocate for their subject through supporting and motivating staff members.

An action plan should:

• Be integral to the School Improvement Plan
• Be clearly focused on raising attainment and achievement
• Incorporate evaluation and monitoring to inform future planning
• Identify areas of development with clear and specific success criteria,
• Include time and resources needed to implement the plan successfully
• Be a collaborative working document
• Lead to improvement in the quality of teaching and learning
• Lead to changes and adaptations in curriculum design
• Demonstrate how the subject contributes to school priorities
• Be regularly updated and reviewed
• Consider staff training needs and subject specific pedagogical approaches
• Have SMART targets – see below

Specific:

• What do you need to achieve? Are you clear on the outcomes?
• Have you provided enough detail that ensures clarity and common understanding of what is to be achieved?
• What is the expected result?

Measurable:

• Could this be measured and decided without argument that the result has been achieved?
• How will you know the objective has been achieved?
• What indicators will you look for to measure progress and success?
• What data is available? Do new measures need to be identified?
• Think about quantity and quality measures.

 Achievable:

• How does this objective fit with the school’s strategic priorities?
• Does the achievement of this objective contribute to the school’s overall objectives?
• In what way is this objective significant?
• What would be the impact to the subject and school if the objective were not achieved?

Relevant:

• Are the objectives appropriate for your role and responsibilities?
• Are the objective appropriate for the school priorities?
• Can you achieve the objective with the resources available? If not, how can this be addressed?
• What help will you require as a subject leader?
• Do you have the relevant skills and knowledge to complete the objective?

 Time:

• Are there clear time frames attached to the objective?
• Have you set milestone dates?
• Are there any other objectives which will depend upon this one?
• What could impact / compromise the deadline?
• Is the deadline realistic?

Did you know that Schoolaspect is a centralised online solution which allows subject action planning to be clearly linked to the school improvement plan?

This blog was written by Bretta Townend-Jowitt, Education Consultant and Trainer.