Service Overview

The Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) online advertising service allows for all schools and settings within the Milton Keynes LA’s boundary to advertise vacant posts on its website

Adverts are hosted on the MKCC website under Jobs in Schools. This service enables you to advertise to a wide audience at a competitive price.

What you can expect

We will:

• Place advert on the MKCC website for each vacant post, within 48 hours of receipt of all relevant information (Monday to Friday)
• Remove advert from the MKCC website after the confirmed closing date
• Invoice in the calendar month following receipt of advert

Please note this is an advert placement service only and we are not responsible for proof reading, copy writing or advising on recruitment processes/issues.

What we expect from you

You will:

• Submit one advert using the online form: Job Advert Template for Schools, which is automatically sent to schooljobadverts@milton-keynes.gov.uk with a minimum 48 hours lead time of advert going live (Monday to Friday). This will generate a unique reference number. This can be used for any enquiries regarding that post.
• Ensure the accuracy of the advert 
• Pay invoices in a timely manner

Contacts

If you have any questions, or would like to submit a job advert, please contact us at: schooljobadverts@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

To provide in house support for school by providing an attendance interview service.

To upskill school staff to give them the tools to investigate and resolve attendance issues.

To upskill school staff so that they feel confident to conduct attendance interviews and know the legal procedures following on from the interview.

What you can expect

Training is currently being delivered at present on the latest legislation – Working together to Improve School Attendance and the New Framework for Penalty Notices.

Book training

To book our training please login to our new MKPDP training portal.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us directly: attendancetraining@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

Governors can be confident that governance regulations are complied with and that governors receive up-to-date information and advice on the relevant legislation and procedures. In the case of personnel matters, this will be given in conjunction with advice from the school’s human resources provider.
 

What you can expect

For staff-related issues we will:

• Take minutes of the hearing/appeal
• Produce and distribute minutes of the hearing, within agreed timeframes, to all appropriate parties (final copy to be agreed by Chair of Hearing/Appeal Committee)

For pupil-related issues and complaints we will:

• Provide a ‘hearings checklist’
• Provide model templates, agendas and letters for use by governors and headteacher/principal.
• Advise governors, the headteacher/principal and any other parties on appropriate procedure for the hearing, in line with governance regulations and current DfE guidance
• Provide a ‘clerk to the hearing’ to take minutes of the hearing/appeal (this is not the same person as the school’s usual ‘clerk to the governing board’)
• Ensure the hearing is conducted within the legal framework
• Produce and distribute minutes of the hearing, within agreed timeframes, to all appropriate parties (final copy to be agreed by Chair of Hearing/Appeal Committee)

Please note: For staff and pupil related issues and/or complaints, the control of the hearing/investigation pack remains with the school/appropriate party. The service will not be held responsible for its contents and compliance with relevant legislation (e.g. DPA 1998 and/or GDPR 2018)which remains the responsibility of the school/appropriate party. 

What we expect from you

For staff-related issues you will:

• Agree the membership of the relevant committees each academic year
• Identify the membership of the committee for specific hearings
• Arrange date, time and venue for the hearing in conjunction with all relevant parties
• Comply with the requirements of the HR checklist, including arranging date, time and venue of the hearing with all relevant parties
• Prepare and provide the investigation report and accompanying documents for the case to be sent out to the committee and other parties within the required timeframe
• Keep a copy of the minutes of the Hearing/Appeal Committee meeting on the employees file appropriate length of time

For pupil-related issues and complaints you will:

• Agree the membership of the relevant committees each academic year
• Identify membership of the committee for the specific hearing
• Arrange date, time and venue for the hearing in conjunction with all relevant parties
• Prepare and provide the necessary statements and accompanying documents for the hearing to be sent out to the committee and other parties within the required timeframe
• Keep a copy of the minutes of Pupil Discipline Committee meeting on the pupil’s file/Complaints Committee meeting on school file

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us at: governorservicesmanager@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

An advice, guidance and support service to explore options and to work through next steps.

What you can expect

• Strategic leads from both teams to attend governing board meetings, as agreed, to provide advice and ensure statutory decisions are minuted
• MKCC Officers will provide support to the Working Party as required, with the preparation of draft documentation and consultation process
• To finalise consultation document, incorporating feedback from governing boards, ensuring it is signed off for online publication
• To publish finalised proposal document, online response form and dates of drop-in sessions on council website
• Preparation of list of all consultation stakeholders
• Email consultation to all stakeholders on the first day of the consultation
• Liaise with schools to ensure distribution of the proposal document to parents and staff and publication on school’s website
• MKCC Officers will attend drop in sessions, as required
• To collate and record all raw responses to consultation and forward to Working Party for consideration
• To undertake analysis of responses and produce briefing note for consideration of the Governing Boards, to include a summary of responses
• To publish decision on the council’s consultation webpage and email decision to any respondents that requested updates
• Specialist advice and guidance on the procedures to establish a federated governing board
• Guidance on composition
• Guidance on drafting the proposal and report
• Recruitment and appointment of governors
• The production of a new Instrument of Government

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us at: governorservicesmanager@milton-keynes.gov.uk for the governance elements or sufficiencyandaccess@milton-keynes.gov.uk for the school sufficiency and access elements. 

Service Overview

It has never been more important for school governors and trustees to access the training and development they need; to ensure that both individually and collectively they are able to carry out their function as a strategic board. Milton Keynes City Council remains committed to offering its highly regarded training and development package to governors and trustees, designed to support them in effectively carrying out their vital role.

The core of the package is approximately 30 courses and briefings, on a wide variety of topics, which are delivered across the year. The package is comprised of a mixture of face-to-face sessions and training delivered virtually via video conferencing, along with access to the NGA Learning Link and a bespoke training session for your board.  

We offer training for those involved in governance in all educational settings and the package benefits from excellent buy-back.

What you can expect

The programme has been designed to be responsive and effective and is available to governors, trustees and associate members.

We will provide: 

• Training for newly appointed governors and trustees and for those that have been re-appointed
• A programme of training courses and briefings on a wide variety of topics 
• Access to online training through the National Governors Association (NGA)
• A two-hour training session tailored to meet local governance needs 

What we expect from you

You will:

• Encourage governors and trustees to attend appropriate training and development sessions
• Liaise with Governor Services to arrange the whole governing / trustee board session
• Provide feedback on the training attended
• Evaluate the outcomes resulting from attending training   

Book Training

To book training please visit our new MKPDP training portal. 

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding these services, please contact us at: governor.training@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

Governor Services provides support and guidance for lay clerks who are employed directly by their own governing or trust board. 

What you can expect

We will:

• Provide a telephone helpline for clerks and headteachers/principals, giving advice and dealing with enquiries about governing or trust board procedures
• Disseminate, via the clerk, relevant information to governors and trustees on national and local issues
• Brief clerks each term to ensure they have up-to-date information on current educational issues
• Distribute the Agenda Briefing termly
• Provide appropriate training for clerks as and when required
• Provide access to GovernorHub and Knowledge, which is password protected
• Provide the lay clerk with a link to a welcome pack for newly appointed governors and re-appointed governors and trustees where the lay clerk advises the LA of new appointment/nomination details
• Administer the nominations, re-nominations and resignations of LA governors on receipt of information from the lay clerk
• Provide the lay clerk access to the Governance Training and Development Programme

What we expect from you

You will:

• Provide up-to-date information relating to the membership of the governing or trustee board

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please get in touch on: governorservicesmanager@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

The continued focus of Ofsted and the DfE on school leadership and governance underlines the value of professional clerking, particularly in relation to the provision of evidence of good governance. Through our four flexible clerking and information packages, Governor Services will provide expert and professional support to ensure your Governing Board is effective.

Our well-informed advisers will deliver a full service to support Governing Boards to fulfil their statutory role in promoting high standards of educational achievement.

Please note: The Governor Support package does not include clerking for hearings. Schools will need to purchase, in addition, the Clerking Support for Hearings package.

What you can expect

We will:

• Provide advice on education law and Governing Board procedures
• Allocate a Governance Professional with expertise in governance issues, an up-to-date knowledge of education law and the ability to advise on good practice
• Give general advice on the Governing Board’s role and responsibilities
• Provide advice and support in drawing up protocols for dealing with issues such as codes of conduct, governor visits and the induction of new governors
• Provide resources and support such as information booklets, model terms of reference for committees, model policies and guidance via the website and GovernorHub
• Disseminate news and information to governors on national and local issues via GovernorHub, the website, termly Agenda Briefing and newsletters
• Issue the meeting agenda (and associated paperwork supplied by the client) to individual governors via email, or uploaded to GovernorHub
• Attend Governing Board meetings, either in person or via an agreed virtual platform 
• Produce accurate minutes which evidence the Governing Board’s strategic role and demonstrate its accountability to stakeholders, including Ofsted
• Distribute minutes to governors within 21 school days of the meeting
• Administer the appointments/nominations and resignations of governors
• Provide a welcome pack for newly- appointed governors and a refresher pack for re-appointed governors
• Provide access to GovernorHub, including Knowledge

Services provided at no charge to schools:

We will:

• Recruit and nominate LA governors for schools in Milton Keynes (maintained schools only)
• Approve and make Instruments of Government, liaising with the diocesan bodies as appropriate
• Establish and support temporary Governing Boards in accordance with regulations
• Provide access to general information on the website and GovernorHub.
   

What we expect from you

You will:

• Inform Governor Services of the election or appointment of new or re-appointed governors and the resignation of governors
• Take responsibility for ensuring that newly appointed/re-appointed governors complete and return their declaration form
• Liaise with Governor Services to agree meeting dates and agenda
• Return draft minutes to the Governance Professional within five school days of receipt
• Maintain regular communication with the Governance Professional to enable him/her to fulfil their role
• Provide the Governance Professional with access to any trust or local governing body portal (where GovernorHub is not used) to enable her/him to perform their role effectively

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: governorservicesmanager@milton-keynes.gov.uk 

Service Overview

Music Service Support

The Music Service can provide support for all schools to increase their ambition for music delivery and participation in their setting.

Our team of highly skilled and experienced curriculum music teachers can deliver curriculum music in your school. We also offer CPD, instrumental projects and whole class ensemble teaching.

What you can expect

Free support: 

• Subject Leader Meetings (Primary, Secondary and SEND)
• An annual meeting with a representative of the music service to discuss music provision
• Live performances
• Events
• Music Mark Membership (for any school delivering an excellent music education)
• CPD (Primary, Secondary and SEND)

Traded services: 

• Whole Class Ensemble Teaching
• National Curriculum music teaching 
• Bespoke CPD
• Curriculum music teaching
• Instrumental Projects
• Nurture Groups
• Musical Apps
• EYFS
• SEND music teaching

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact: music@milton-keynes.gov.uk or see our website www.miltonkeynesmusicservice.com

The Music Service can provide training for all teachers to develop their confidence in delivering curriculum music. See below.

What you can expect

TEACHING ALONGSIDE A MUSIC SPECIALIST 

• Initially the Music Hub teacher delivers demonstration lessons to the class while the class teacher observes
• As the project develops the class teachers gradually take over parts of the lesson, supported by weekly reflection with their mentor
• The class teacher is fully supported at each stage so that confidence is built
• KS1 is 30 mins teaching time and 15 mins discussion
• KS2 is 45 mins teaching time and 15 mins discussion

We suggest that schools purchase this provision for 1 teacher in each Key Stage who can then cascade knowledge to other teachers.

‘This classroom music CPD for class teachers is superb. It systematically builds skills and confidence by working alongside a specialist MK Music Hub Classroom music teacher- observing, shadowing and team teaching. I have found the programme especially effective when there is the opportunity for the class teacher to teach the demonstration CPD lesson again straight after working with the visiting specialist e.g. for 2 or 3 form year groups’ - Lizzie Bancroft, Former Head Teacher, Loughton Manor First School.

CPD SESSIONS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS (Three sessions in total over the academic year)
Term 1 - Using Instruments in the Classroom
Aims: Teachers will:
- Explore beat, rhythm and pitch through a variety of practical activities.
- Learn how to transfer these skills onto tuned and un-tuned percussion with good classroom management.
- Explore the progression of the musical skills, knowledge and understanding from Early Years to KS2.

Teachers will take away with them:
- Knowledge about how to explore beat, rhythm and pitch.
- Practical activities to use in their setting/classroom.
- Practical examples of how to organise instrumental activities.
 
Term 2 - Singing with Confidence
Aims: Teachers will explore:
- Their own vocal health and the health of their pupils.
- Suitable warmups and vocal games.
- Age-appropriate repertoire for children aged 3- 11.
- Progressive singing activities for the Infant and/or Primary age range.

Teachers will take away with them:
- Knowledge about the vocal range of children from Early Years to Upper KS2
- Practical tips on how to teach songs and chants
- A structured overview of progression through singing (including tips on how to teach two-part songs and rounds and those with ostinati or descant)
- Knowledge of repertoire and where to find it.

Term 3 - Composing with Confidence
Composition has been identified by Ofsted as the weakest aspect of curriculum music in Primary Schools.
Aims: teachers will
- Explore practical ways in which children can explore sound.
- Follow a scaffolded introduction to inter-related dimensions of music (elements).
- Be shown how to use the above as components in composition.
- Explore signs, symbols and graphic scores.
- Be shown an accessible way into improvisation.
- Be given some tips as to how they might use instrumentalists in Upper KS2 in their lessons.

What we expect from you

For the 'Teaching alongside a Music Specialist' project, protected time for the classroom teacher to teach sessions and reflect on their delivery.

Once you have purchased the provision you will be contacted by one of our curriculum leaders to arrange
a time for their visit.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: music@milton-keynes.gov.uk or see our website www.milltonkeynesmusicservice.com

Service Overview

The Music Service can offer training for Music Subject Leaders which will help them prepare for Ofsted.

What you can expect

We can offer a whole day (5 hours) or half day (3 hours) and will cover some of the following points:

• Long term planning, coverage of the curriculum and progression
• Expectations for the end of each year/key stage
• Examine the intention, implementation and impact of a sample of lessons across the age-range
• Methods of recording and assessing
• Inclusion
• Links to the Music Service and other partners
• Examine sample questions which may be asked during an Ofsted Inspection
• Adaptive teaching and age-appropriate activities

In a whole day visit we will also be able to cover

• How the school equips its young people with cultural capital and enrichment
• Timetabling – the implementation of music across the whole school
• Singing strategy
• Skills/knowledge audit of staff and suggested CPD    

What we expect from you

A copy of your current School Music Development Plan should be submitted in advance.

Once you have purchased the provision you will be contacted by one of our curriculum leaders to arrange a time for their visit

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: music@milton-keynes.gov.uk or see our website www.milltonkeynesmusicservice.com

Service Overview

This service offers academies, or schools out of MK, a comprehensive review of safeguarding culture, policy and practice conducted over 2 days. Senior leaders (including governors) will receive a valuable external view of the effectiveness of safeguarding in their school or setting.

What you can expect

• Working in partnership with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), an experienced Improvement Partner will:
• Review safeguarding policies documentation, and information about wider safeguarding on the school website
• Review safeguarding practice, approaches systems and culture during an on-site visit to school. Through activities with leaders, staff and pupils this will consider:
  -        Safer recruitment and the SCR
  -        Staff training and knowledge
  -        Systems for managing and recording concerns and for analysing trends
  -        Referrals and partnership working
  -        Safeguarding and attendance
  -        Behaviour, bullying and prejudice-based incidents
  -        Mental health and wellbeing
  -        Alternative Provision (AP), CLA and SEND arrangements
  -        Managing allegations and whistleblowing
  -        Safeguarding in the curriculum
• Write a note of visit that clearly identifies strengths, areas for development and actions that need to be take

What will the Improvement Partner do?

• Talk with the DSL to understand the specific requirements and context of the school
• Ensure that preparation for the review is undertaken thoroughly and that work in school is undertaken as agreed with the DSL
• Commit to reviewing key safeguarding policies and further information about safeguarding on the school website
• Agree with school leaders the date, time, and agenda for the on-site visit to school. 
• Provide a written report (note of visit) after the on-site visit. 
• Signpost senior leaders to other services as appropriate
• Act with integrity and honesty at all times.

What we expect from you

• Provide information, as agreed on the SLA, to enable the Improvement Partner to prepare effectively for the on-site visit
• Be prepared for meetings and activities during the on-site visit as agreed with the Improvement Partner and noted on the SLA
• Ensure that relevant members of staff are available to work with the Improvement Partner during the on-site visit
• Be willing to take on board new ideas and respond positively to the advice and challenge given, understanding that this is offered to support positive and sustainable change
• Ensure that the responsibility for safeguard is understand by leaders, staff and governors as sitting at school level

* If a significant safeguarding concern arises during the review, exploring that issue and talking to leaders about how to address it will always take priority over completing planned work within the 1.5 days. This may mean that schools need to buy extra time to complete the originally planned work.

**For schools outside Milton Keynes, additional travel and accommodation expenses may be charged, depending on location and requirements.

Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact us on: siservicesmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

This service offers a robust evaluation that identifies strengths and weaknesses across all aspects of school provision. As such, senior leaders (including governors) will receive a valuable external view of the health of their school.

What you can expect

Working in partnership with leaders, an experienced Improvement Partner will:

• Collate pre-visit information taking account of published performance data, Ofsted gradings, LA information and wider information. Share this with the headteacher via email.
• Invite the headteacher to provide additional pre-visit information, including the school self-evaluation and improvement plan, and consider this carefully.
• Evaluate: safeguarding; the quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; and leadership and management during a one day on site visit to school.
• Write a detailed Annual Evaluation note of visit that clearly identifies strengths and areas for development thus provides an overall evaluation of effectiveness.

What will the Improvement Partner do?

• Talk with senior leaders to understand the specific requirements of the school and record this on an SLA.
• Ensure that preparation for school visits is undertaken thoroughly and that all work in schools is undertaken as agreed with senior leaders
• Complete pre-visit sections of an Annual Evaluation report and commit to reviewing additional information shared by the headteacher ahead of the on-site visit. (This, with the bullet above is 0.5 days of work)
• Agree with school leaders the date, time, and agenda for a one-day on-site visit to school.
• Provide a written Annual Evaluation report (note of visit) after the on-site visit, carefully considering any additional documentation shared. (This is 0.5 days of work)
• Signpost senior leaders to other services as appropriate.
• Act with integrity and honesty at all times.

What we expect from you

• Provide information, as agreed on the SLA, to enable the Improvement Partner to prepare effectively for the on-site visit.
• Be prepared for meetings and activities during the on-site visit as agreed with Improvement Partner and noted on the SLA.
• Ensure that relevant members of staff are available to work with the Improvement Partner during the on-site visit.
• Be willing to take on board new ideas and respond positively to the advice and challenge given, understanding that this is offered to support positive and sustainable change.

Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact us on: siservicesmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

An experienced Improvement Partner will provide monitoring, support and challenge in relation to all aspects of school improvement, but specifically in relation to:

• Analysis of pupil performance information
• Self-evaluation
• School improvement planning
• Effectiveness of leadership and management
• Quality assurance of all internal judgements
• Evaluating impact of school improvement initiatives
• Ofsted inspection

The package is delivered by Milton Keynes Improvement Partners who have an excellent reputation, locally and nationally, for the quality, rigor and effectiveness of their work.

What you can expect

What will the Improvement Partner do?

• Talk with senior leaders to understand the specific requirements of the school
• Advise on potential delivery options and associated costs
• Agree the focus for consultancy work and dates for school visits
• Ensure that preparation for school visits is undertaken as detailed in the SLA
• Undertake work in schools as agreed with senior leaders
• Provide written summary reports (notes of visits) after each piece of work on the SLA is completed
• Liaise with external parties as required and/or necessary
• Signpost senior leaders to other services as appropriate
• Act with integrity and honesty at all times  

What we expect from you

• Provide school performance data or other information as agreed on the SLA to enable the Improvement Partner to prepare
• Be prepared for meetings as agreed with Improvement Partners
• Be willing to take on board new ideas and respond positively to the advice and challenge given, understanding that this is offered in order to support positive and sustainable change

Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact us on: siservicesmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

The Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) Network offers a comprehensive traded service designed to support schools in securing positive outcomes for pupils from the Global Majority, including learners who use English as an Additional Language (EAL). We work in partnership with early years settings, primary schools, and secondary schools to promote high achievement, inclusion, and community cohesion.

Our centre is equipped with a rich variety of high-quality resources to help schools celebrate and promote the incredible diversity within Milton Keynes. Membership also includes resources relating to newly arrived pupils and families, as well as artifacts on culture and religion.

Our core purpose is to raise educational standards and ensure that all pupils can thrive. We achieve this by providing:

• Specialist expertise and guidance on effective practice for supporting Global Majority and EAL learners
• High-quality professional development tailored to the needs of school staff
• Access to specialist learning resources that enhance teaching and learning
• Ongoing advice and collaborative support to embed inclusive, evidence-informed approaches

What you can expect

The EMA Network interprets and shares local and national initiatives aimed at closing the attainment gap. We offer practical support and guidance across key areas, including:

1. English Language Development

• Beginner English learners
• Newly arrived pupils from overseas
• Planning for EAL/bilingual learners
• Inclusive classroom strategies

2. Assessment & SEND

• Supporting EAL learners with SEND or suspected SEND
• EAL assessment and tracking pupil progress

3. Culture, Faith & Community

• Cultural and faith awareness
• Partnership work with Milton Keynes communities and Supplementary Schools
• Strengthening parental engagement
• Advice for schools on supporting new arrivals and their families

4. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

• Promoting equitable, inclusive practice
• Supporting schools to meet diverse pupil and family needs

What we expect from you

To ensure that the EMA Network’s specialist guidance is used effectively to support improved outcomes for multilingual learners, we ask all schools to:

• Promote collaborative planning and teaching that supports inclusive practice for multilingual learners.
• Provide time and systems for joint planning to embed effective EAL, assessment, and inclusive strategies.
• Work with EMA staff to review and strengthen provision, including support for EAL development, SEND, new arrivals, community engagement, and DEI.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding our services, please do not hesitate to contact us on: ema@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

We provide the mechanism of an online system, EVOLVE, designed to support schools with the planning, management and approval of educational trips, sports fixtures, after school clubs and extra-curricular activities. However, the liability for educational school trips lies with the school (Governors where the school is the employee)

Regularly updated, in line with evolving legislation, EVOLVE ensures schools are using materials that comply with regulatory guidance and best practice.  The system helps schools to reduce workloads by streamlining process and simplifying procedures.  Available via the local authority, this online system is widely used nationally.  In addition, we offer comprehensive training and support.  All training is delivered locally by external experts

What you can expect

• Access to a fully managed online service enabling schools to plan, process, approve and monitor off-site visits, on-site activities, after-school clubs and sports fixtures
• Additional support for more advanced visits such as those involving overseas travel and/or establishment staff-led adventurous activities
• Access to up-to-date policies, guidance and best practice documents
• Checking of visit proposals and scrutiny of arrangements within 7 working days
• 3 training sessions / workshops per year made available for you to attend (first come first served basis) covering the very latest thinking for your Educational Visits Coordinators (EVCs) or Headteachers
• Comprehensive documentation
• Advice and guidance

What we expect from you

• EVCs/Headteachers attend training to ensure you are fully aware of the requirements of the system
• Liaise with the LA in the event of any subscription or service-related concerns
• Sign up to the service by 30 April each year, covering May through April.  There will be no part subscriptions for the year.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: siservicesmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

Governing boards have a statutory duty to adopt and review an appraisal policy, annually. As part of the policy, governors will appoint:

• a panel to undertake the performance appraisal of the headteacher
• an external adviser for advice and support

Local Authority Improvement Partners (IP) can act as external advisers to work on behalf of the governing board, in line with the school’s performance management policy. The appraisal discussion remains confidential and is not shared with the Local Authority

What you can expect

An Appraisal Panel will:

• Appoint a panel chair to contact the external adviser and agree a mutually convenient appraisal meeting date for all parties (headteacher, appraisal governors and external adviser)
• Agree an appraisal process with advice from the external adviser
• Ensure rigor when objectives are set
• Keep a focus on priorities
• Ensure objectives are challenging, achievable and time bound - reflecting a satisfactory work life balance
• Have clearly defined success criteria

An external advisor will:

• Focus on pupils’ standards and progress
• Respect the school’s authority
• Offer professional challenge and support
• Use evidence-based assessment
• Provide an appraisal form template
• Agree arrangements and dates with the panel chair and quality assure the appraisal process
• Provide a detailed outline of process to the appraisal panel Draft the appraisal statement

Interim Review

Best practice is that the headteacher’s appraisal panel would undertake an interim review. External advisers are able to support this process as an additional traded service.  The purpose of the interim review is to:

• Review progress towards achieving the objectives by the end of the cycle
• Identify any barriers, discuss possible solutions and support for the headteacher.

What we expect from you

Governing Board responsibilities

Governors are responsible for:

• Ensuring an appraisal policy, pay policy and current  headteacher job description are in place
• Appointing the recommended three governors to be the appraisal panel
• Securing the services of an external adviser to support the appraisal panel in undertaking the headteacher’s appraisal

NB. Arrangements for headteacher appraisal should be made during the summer term.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: siservicesmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

Occasionally, Governing Boards will need to recruit a senior leader on an interim basis - an Acting headteacher, Interim headteacher or Executive headteacher.  This tailored service offers governors access to the advice, support and guidance required to undertake this crucial aspect of their strategic role.

Delivered by experienced officers, advisers and support staff, the service is designed to equip Governing Boards with information on their responsibilities and the options available to them. Governors will receive high-quality professional advice, guidance and administrative support during all stages of the process.  Governors seeking to recruit interim leaders other than headteachers should contact the School Leadership and Governance Services Team for more details

What you can expect

We will:

• Meet with the Governing Board to understand the requirements
• Advise on potential options and costs
• Advise on the indicative pay and individual pay range
• Draft the person specification, as required
• Advise on the approach to attracting candidates for the role
• Liaise with external parties (agencies, potential candidates), as required for approach taken
• Advise on the content of any supporting materials to be sent to candidates
• Work with governors to develop an appropriate selection process that assesses candidates’ skills, knowledge, experience and, where appropriate, what additional support or development might be needed
• Undertake longlisting and shortlisting activities, as required for approach taken
• Distribute packs to applicants and prepare short listing documentation
• Prepare all interview documentation for the selection panel
• Invite candidates to interview and obtain references
• Arrange a planning meeting for the Selection Panel
• Attend the short listing and interview  to provide educational advice and professional support
• Debrief unsuccessful candidates
• Advise and support with appointment paperwork, as required for approach taken
• If requested, clerk the ratification meeting, where the LA is the formal clerk, including the production of agenda and minutes.

Tailored to you

Every situation will be different and options will need to be explored in detail, however the most usual solutions to fill an interim vacancy are the appointment of an:

• Acting headteacher (a Deputy or Assistant headteacher ‘acting up’ to the role for an agreed period of time)
• Interim headteacher (a substantive headteacher undertaking the role for an agreed period of time)
• Executive headteacher (a substantive headteacher, with responsibility for more than one school, undertaking the role for an agreed period of time)

What we expect from you

The client, working in conjunction with officers, will:

• Agree and formally minute details of the approach being taken to fill any interim senior leader vacancy, ensuring appropriate delegations are in place to allow Selection Panel members to make decisions swiftly, if necessary
• Agree and formally minute details of: the recruitment timeline, membership of the Selection Panel, rationale for decisions in relation to school pay range and headteacher’s salary
• Work with officers to draft and approve, in  a timely manner, all  supporting documentation for the vacancy including role profile and any promotional information for the candidate pack
• Active participation in all meetings
• Ensure at least one member of the Selection Panel has undertaken safer recruitment training within the last three years
• Selection Panel members to agree details of shortlisting and interview events and attend both
• Interview candidates and reach a recommendation
• Document decision, ensure governors are informed and formally minute the Governing Board’s ratification of the decision

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: siservicesmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

This service offers high quality professional advice, guidance and administrative support during all stages of the recruitment and selection process to appoint a head or deputy headteacher. 

Our experienced officers, advisers and support staff will explain the legalities of the process and share best practice, tailoring model arrangements and processes to your own needs.

Our aim is to support and guide governors in undertaking this crucial aspect of their strategic role.

What you can expect

We will:

• Advise on the advert
• Advise on the job and person specification
• Advise on the indicative pay range for the school and an individual pay range
• Advise on the contents of the information pack
• Arrange a whole governing board session to identify the desired attributes and characteristics of the new headteacher or deputy headteacher
• Arrange a planning meeting with the selection panel
• Distribute packs to applicants and prepare short listing documentation
• Advise on the full one-day interview programme
• Prepare all interview documentation for the selection panel
• Invite candidates to interview and obtain references
• Attend the short listing and interview
• Debrief unsuccessful candidates
• Provide copies of: Appointing your new headteacher or deputy headteacher: a toolkit for governing boards purchasing the MKCC senior leader traded service
• Clerk the ratification meeting, where the LA is the formal clerk, including the production of agenda and minutes

What we expect from you

You will:

• Agree and formally minute Selection Panel membership
• Agree the individual school range and the individual salary range for the appointment
• Draft and approve the advertisement text
• Ensure at least one member of the Selection Panel has undertaken safer recruitment training within the last three years
• Provide information about the school and the job for the packs sent to applicants
• Agree the full interview programme and arrangements, interview candidates and reach a recommendation
• Hold a full governing board meeting to ratify the decision

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: siservicesmk@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Service Overview

Our Aims

• Place reading for pleasure at the heart of all that we do
• Foster a love of books and raise attainment in schools
• Provide a wide range of high quality, relevant resources to support teachers and the curriculum
• Provide professional advice and support for the organisation and management of school library spaces

What you can expect

Our Services

Book loans and leasing for library stock

• Subscribing to book loans entitles your school to 3 books per pupil (min 250 for small schools)
• Books selected by our professional team
• Delivered to the school and shelved by our team
• Jacketed for longer shelf life
• Computer data imported into the school Library Management System
• A percentage of the loan stock is exchanged annually
• Extra stock may be leased at additional cost

Project collections for classroom curriculum support

• Bespoke collections of curriculum themed resources specifically selected to your specification
• Each project contains approximately 30 items
• A variety of books, posters, resource packs, DVDs etc
• Delivered and collected free of charge

Advice and practical help in school with

• Library planning and design
• Classification and editing of stock
• Stock purchase and book supply
• Telephone advice and support
• Support of computerised library management systems
• General library routines
• Cataloguing and computerisation of stock
• Repairs, tidying, labelling, and shelving of stock
• Stock exchanges

Storytelling and talks about books

• Storytelling in class and assemblies
• Book discussion sessions
• Storytelling videos

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this service, please contact us on: sls@milton-keynes.gov.uk