The Great School Framework

The great school has a vision that is clear, set, understood and owned by all.

It is infectiously optimistic and aspirational, based on high expectations of the performance of all members of the school community. Everyone connected with the school is able to articulate and demonstrate their common values and beliefs. Their collective attention is focused on working towards shared goals. All members of the school community believe in the vision; they value it, they feel proud of it and they know that they play a key part in realising and promoting it.

The vision and values are manifested in customs, rituals, symbols, stories and language, creating a unique culture and ethos. They are successfully expressed through the ways that members of the school community (staff, governors, pupils, parents/carers and volunteers) relate to each other and work together. Every key decision made by the school’s leaders is tested against and in pursuit of the vision. The staff and governors hold themselves to account and analyse their practice against the vision and values. The values drive the curriculum, the pedagogy, the learning environment, the language used, the training and development opportunities offered and the quality of learning for both pupils and adults. There is a commitment to excellence, to remaining open to new ideas and to thinking in new ways.

The collective vision permeates the whole school and is evident to everyone who visits.