2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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