Programme for Sustainable leadership, curriculum and teaching in Liverpool

3.1 The Authority is Liverpool City Council (LCC). LCC is the Contracting Entity for this project. The Operational Management of this Contract will be performed by School Improvement Liverpool (SIL). SIL have an established reputation as one of the leading service providers in the North West. Their consultancy, training and professional development allows schools and settings to be the best they can be. SIL offer Early Years, Primary, Secondary and SEND education and also offer a range of services covering school management functions, including HR & Finance. 3.2 On 28 May 2020 Liverpool Local Authority (LA) launched an informal consultation on the draft Educational Priorities for the next three years. Close to 400 responses were received across a wide range of stakeholders. 3.3 City leaders recognise the unique and significant challenges facing Liverpool schools. The large proportion of pupils, particularly from deprived areas, who fall behind during the earliest stages of development rarely close the gap and struggle to keep up for the rest of their educational lives. 3.4 This underperformance impacts on children’s learning in many ways but particularly in their ability to read. Children, pupils and students who are unable to catch-up find themselves unprepared for the next stages of their education. 3.5 Closing the gap in attainment has rightly been identified as a key priority in previous strategies and plans and yet the gap has continued to widen. The priorities in this plan intend to refocus the aims and efforts which, if successful, will bring about the narrowing of the attainment gaps so that all children and young people can succeed. 3.6 We know the importance of high-quality, well-motivated staff in bringing about improved outcomes for all children and young people in Liverpool. To this, there needs to be excellent professional support and training, appropriate career pathways and opportunities as well as fewer obstacles to recruitment and retention. 3.7 We need to make sure that our children and young people with SEND are having their needs met. Many of these pupils are persistently absent, excluded or attend alternative provision. City leaders understand that this is not solely a school issue. However, it is important for schools to play their part in improving the futures of these children and young people. 3.8 These challenges were there before the outbreak of COVID-19. They may only be exacerbated as a result. The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to ensure that we do not just ‘return to normal’. We have to do things differently and better than before. 3.9 93% of respondents agreed that ensuring Liverpool recruits, develops, supports and retains the best teachers and leaders is an important priority for school improvement. Most of the comments regarding this priority were considering how this was to be brought about. These comments raised the importance of improved CPD, greater support for governors and leaders in the recruitment process and consideration of staff wellbeing. 3.10 The most significant factor in successful outcomes for children and young people is being taught by great teachers. Great leaders create great teachers. 3.11 High quality, well-motivated staff are essential to bringing about improved outcomes for all children and young people in Liverpool. To this, there needs to be excellent professional support and training, appropriate career pathways and opportunities as well as fewer obstacles to recruitment and retention. 3.12 This priority is to ensure that we invest in the training, development and well-being of staff and are proactive in succession planning. 3.13 The overall aim is to produce a cadre, across the city, of exceptionally well trained leaders, who have a deep understanding of the contemporary research into educational leadership and educational improvement. These leaders will be well trained in knowledge rich curriculum and will know how to lead departments that are going to be competently aware of the socio-demographic context of Liverpool, the importance of SEND inclusion and also the importance of reading to bring about school improvement. 3.14 The critical outcome from this project is centred around sustainability. This is a requirement for a one off programme which must be sustainable moving forward, to enable those delegates who undertake the course(s) can not only ensure that there is succession planning going on throughout the city, but they also are able to continue their own professional development and lead development programmes themselves without further need for external assistance.