Consilium briefing: Start-up Schools We think you will be dealing with these issues as a start-up school in your pre-opening year (Year 0) and the first year (Year 1) of operation: use these thoughts as a working check list. Apply here for further, free advice from Consilium Education about your Start-Up years
Consilium briefing: Start-up Schools We think you will be dealing with these issues as a start-up school in your pre-opening year (Year 0) and the first year (Year 1) of operation: use these thoughts as a working check list. Apply here for further, free advice from Consilium Education about your Start-Up years
1. Mission, vision and strategy Having these high level statements and plans in place and using them Testing them as the school opens Adjusting the strategy to accommodate unforeseen circumstances
2. Learning, inclusion and admissions Ensuring all children are learning from Day 1, of Year 1 students are at ease and teachers know who is arriving clarity about the curriculum and who it is designed for consistency in pedagogy – “our way of teaching” value added is demonstrated
3. Leadership and organisational structure Ensuring Lines of responsibility are clear before the school opens A sensible meeting schedule covering all areas of operation is in place All staff are held to account for their responsibilities The school community is aware of each level of governance and leadership
4. Staff and training You will be Remembering Finding the best staff for your school Training and retaining your best staff Remembering For a start-up school, this is an intense process Recruitment in Year 0 and Year 1 will happen when student numbers are uncertain
5. Campus, Security and Safety You will be Establishing and testing the simplest routines for the first time Identifying situations of most risk Establishing duty of care as a dominant culture Ensuring supervision of all transitions designing drop off and pick up systems
6. School Community and Partnerships You will be Listening to all sections of the community as you open Establishing routines that help everyone as quickly as possible Ensuring parents are informed as completely as possible before school starts – but remembering that they cannot retain all the information Briefing staff to speak with one voice on all issues – large and small
7. Finance, marketing and resources You will be Collecting deposits and fees Ensuring word of mouth reports reflect marketing claims as operations begin Helping students and families arriving through the year Reconciling school management database numbers with accounting records & receipts Checking basic equipment is in place, tested and safe