Specialist Schools:a model for NI

The Context

Entitled to SucceedEntitled to Succeed Revised CurriculumRevised Curriculum Entitlement FrameworkEntitlement Framework Wider choice of schoolsWider choice of schools Pupil ProfilePupil Profile

The Specialist SchoolConcept Whole school improvementWhole school improvement Identifies and builds on existing strengthIdentifies and builds on existing strength Broad curriculum Broad curriculum notnot focused on specialism focused on specialism Develops links with other schools and local Develops links with other schools and local

communitycommunity

What makes it work?

It is not the particular specialism that makes It is not the particular specialism that makes the difference - it is the process of the difference - it is the process of identifying and building on the school’s identifying and building on the school’s existing strength.existing strength.

How does specialism build school improvement ? Creates a framework for self reviewCreates a framework for self review Ensures developments in the specialist area Ensures developments in the specialist area

are used to benefit other curriculum areasare used to benefit other curriculum areas Enhances a sense of purpose and direction Enhances a sense of purpose and direction

within the school and in relationship with within the school and in relationship with other schools and the communityother schools and the community

Creates a supportive network of schoolsCreates a supportive network of schools

Specialist Schools: the experience in EnglandResearch evidence shows:Research evidence shows: Improved pupil and teacher motivationImproved pupil and teacher motivation Improved pupil performanceImproved pupil performance Rise in perceived statusRise in perceived status

  David Bell, HMI Chief Inspector of Schools   “  “Being a specialist school makes a Being a specialist school makes a

difference. Working to declared targets, difference. Working to declared targets, dynamic leadership, a renewed sense of dynamic leadership, a renewed sense of purpose, targeted use of funding and being purpose, targeted use of funding and being a contributor to an optimistic network of a contributor to an optimistic network of like minded schools, all contribute to a like minded schools, all contribute to a climate for improvement and drive forward climate for improvement and drive forward change.”change.”

Objectives of the NI Specialist School Model To raise standards and improve To raise standards and improve

performance for all young people.performance for all young people. To promote school/school and school/FE To promote school/school and school/FE

co-operation and collaboration.co-operation and collaboration. To increase the range of school choices.To increase the range of school choices.

The application process

A 4 year school development planA 4 year school development plan A 4 year community development planA 4 year community development plan SponsorshipSponsorship Year 1 Support GrantYear 1 Support Grant

What will schools get?

Four years designation as a specialist schoolFour years designation as a specialist school £100 per pupil recurrent funding£100 per pupil recurrent funding £100k support grant in the first year£100k support grant in the first year £25k Private Sponsorship£25k Private Sponsorship

Tailoring specialist schools to the local context Pilot cohorts will start smallPilot cohorts will start small Lessons learned will affect roll-outLessons learned will affect roll-out Ongoing, organic processOngoing, organic process

Specialist Schools Pilot Year 1

Angela Smith announcedAngela Smith announced NI’s first Specialist NI’s first Specialist Schools on 14 March 2006Schools on 14 March 2006

Following a 2-stage process and based on the Following a 2-stage process and based on the advice of an independent panel, 12 schools were advice of an independent panel, 12 schools were

selected to operate as specialists from Sept 06selected to operate as specialists from Sept 06

Year 1 Pilot Schools Limavady High School:Limavady High School: Arts-PerformingArts-Performing Glengormley High School: Glengormley High School: ICTICT Belfast Model for Girls: Belfast Model for Girls: ICTICT Ashfield Girls High: Ashfield Girls High: ICTICT St Louise’s College: St Louise’s College: Arts-PerformingArts-Performing St John’s High School: St John’s High School: B&EB&E St Mary's College: St Mary's College: ScienceScience St Cecilia’s College: St Cecilia’s College: Arts-Performing Arts-Performing Shimna I C: Shimna I C: LanguagesLanguages St Malachy’s: St Malachy’s: MusicMusic Lumen Christi College: Lumen Christi College: ScienceScience Ballyclare High: Ballyclare High: ICTICT

SCHOOL SPECIALISM AREA

Hazelwood Integrated College Arts - Visual NEWTOWNABBEY

Portora Royal Arts - Performing and Visual ENNISKILLEN

Carrickfergus College Business and Enterprise CARRICKFERGUS

St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s College Business and Enterprise CLAUDY

Grosvenor Grammar School Languages BELFAST

Belfast High School Languages NEWTOWNABBEY

St Columb’s College Mathematics and Computing DERRY

Loreto College Science COLERAINE

St Patrick’s College Science MAGHERA

St Mary’s Grammar Science MAGHERAFELT

St Colman’s College Science NEWRY

Dromore High School Science DROMORE

Cross and Passion College Sport BALLYCASTLE

COHORT II SCHOOLS

Year 2: Objectives

Core objectives of the Pilot have been Core objectives of the Pilot have been enhanced to include an additional objective enhanced to include an additional objective that will ensure schools are taking steps to that will ensure schools are taking steps to implement the “Learning for Life and Work” implement the “Learning for Life and Work” element of the revised curriculum. element of the revised curriculum.

The application process has been modified The application process has been modified to establish a more explicit link to e2s aims to establish a more explicit link to e2s aims

and objectives.and objectives.

Year 2: Cohort 2Application Process

The application round for the second year of The application round for the second year of the pilot was announced to schools on 30 the pilot was announced to schools on 30 November. Successful schools were November. Successful schools were designated from designated from September 2007September 2007

13 schools will be designated from 13 schools will be designated from September 2007September 2007

Changes to the Application Process for Cohort 2

All qualifying schools will be allowed to All qualifying schools will be allowed to submit a full application submit a full application

Joint applications will also be Joint applications will also be consideredconsidered

Changes to the Specialisms

ICT no longer a stand alone specialism ICT no longer a stand alone specialism for year 2; ICT is developed in all of the for year 2; ICT is developed in all of the specialismsspecialisms

Engineering has been removedEngineering has been removed

Flexible definition remainsFlexible definition remains

Changes to the School and Community Development Plans Equal emphasis has been placed on the Equal emphasis has been placed on the

School Development Plan and School Development Plan and Community Development PlanCommunity Development Plan

Further encourage schools to develop Further encourage schools to develop and set targets for their work with other and set targets for their work with other schools, FE and the local communityschools, FE and the local community

Timeframe for Cohort 2

30 November 200630 November 2006 Year 2 Application round announcedYear 2 Application round announced

Dec 2006/Jan 2007Dec 2006/Jan 2007 RTU information seminarsRTU information seminars

30 March 200730 March 2007 Application closing dateApplication closing date

April 2007April 2007 Assessment of applications Assessment of applications

May 2007May 2007 Successful schools announcedSuccessful schools announced

Specialist Schools – NI model

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