School Development Planning
Every School a Good School – A Policy for School Improvement emphasises that school improvement is first and foremost the responsibility of the school. It is based on the premise that schools themselves are best placed to identify areas for improvement and to implement changes that can bring about better outcomes for pupils. Self-evaluation leading to sustained self-improvement is therefore at the core of the school improvement policy. Effective self-evaluation, and the actions that flow from it, should deliver improved educational outcomes and experiences for all pupils. Self-evaluation must be an integral part of the school development planning process with the resulting actions and targets captured in School Development Plans (SDPs).
The SDP is a strategic plan for improvement. It should bring together, in a clear and simple way, the school’s priorities, the main measures it will take to raise standards, the resources dedicated to these, and the key outcomes and targets it intends to achieve.
Article 13(3) of the 1998 Education Order places a duty on Boards of Governors, through the scheme of management, to prepare, and periodically revise, a SDP. In doing so, Boards of Governors are required to consult the principal and consider any guidance provided by the Department, the Education & Library Boards, and, in the case of Catholic maintained schools, CCMS, and also any inspection findings.
The Education (School Development Planning) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 set out the detailed requirements relating to the preparation of SDPs and the matters they should include. The Regulations apply to all SDPs prepared after 24 January 2011. The Regulations are available via: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2010/395/contents/made.
Every School a Good School – School Development Planning
Guidance
Guidance on School Development Planning has been prepared to support schools in working through the process of self-evaluation and development planning. The guidance material, and supporting annexes, are available below:
ESaGS School Development Planning 2010 Guidance - English Version PDF 1.9MB
ESaGS School Development Planning 2010 Guidance - Irish Version PDF 790KB
Annex A
The Education (School Development Plans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 PDF 45KB
Annex B
Every School a Good School: Indicators of Effective Performance PDF 20KB
Annex C:
Annex D:
Guidance on the Effective Use of Data PDF 24KB
Annex E:
Key DE Policies for Education PDF 16KB
Annex F:
Resources to Support Self-Evaluation & Development PDF 24KB
Annex G:
Education for Sustainable Development PDF 32KB
Annex H:
Accounting For Targeting Social Need (TSN) Funding PDF 20KB
Annex I:
SDP Template Action Plan PDF 12KB
SDP Template Action Plan WORD 68KB
A number of case-studies, illustrating how some schools have used the school development planning process to support their improvement, have also been developed and are available via: School Development Planning Case Studies PDF 105KB
Further Information
Circular 2010/22 School Development Planning - Regulations & Guidance sets out the requirements for the Boards of Governors of grant-aided schools to prepare and from time to time revise a school development plan in accordance with the regulations.
Circular 2010/22 SDP Regulations & Guidance - English Version PDF 90KB
Circular 2010/22 SDP Regulations & Guidance - Irish Version PDF 95KB
Circular 2010/22 SDP Regulations & Guidance - Bilingual Version PDF 120KB
Related Documents
Circular 2011/21 School Development Days 2011/12 to 2014/15 PDF 75KB
This Circular sets out the arrangements for schools to take up to five School Development Days in the 2011/12 - 2014/15 school years (inclusive) to provide additional non-contact time to devote to school improvement matters.
Chiorclán 2011/21 Laethanta Forbartha Scoile Scoilbhlianta 2011/12 Go 2014/15 PDF 75KB
Leagtar amach sa Chiorclán seo na socruithe faoina gceadófar do scoileanna suas le cúig Lá Forbartha Scoile a ghlacadh sna scoilbhlianta 2011/12 – 2014/15 (an dá bhliain sin san áireamh) chun am neamhtheagmhála sa bhreis a sholáthar le díriú ar chúrsaí forbartha scoile.
