VIG International Research Conference Dundee, June 2006

1
VIG International Research Conference Dundee,
June 2006

• Using VIG to support school improvement
• Presentation by Cathy Byron
• Hampshire Educational Psychology Service

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Preliminary remarks

• permission to show this work
• confidentiality
• VIG seen as one strand of support to the school
  alongside others
• collaborative venture

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Purpose of project

• to work with the School Improvement
  Manager/Attached Inspector to develop the
  schools capacity to
• provide a quality experience for children
• improve strategically

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Aims

• to develop a stronger and more effective
  leadership team
• to improve the quality of interpersonal
  relationships
• to improve the quality of teaching and learning
• to raise staff morale and confidence in their
  skills

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Rationale for the project

• arose from schools need to improve
• need for a coherent system of support to be in
  place
• need for systemic approach
• need for an approach that staff would be
  receptive to
• need for a positive approach that could support
  and challenge

6
Steps in the development of the project

• 1 multiagency meeting concerns raised
• 2 liaison between BST and EP service
• 3 meeting between EP, BST, AI and BIP fund
  manager
• 4 proposal for VIG project to whole staff
• 5 liaison meeting at school to outline
  project
• 6 start of project Jan 06 INSET to whole
  school

7
Timescale and funding for VIG project

• bid for funding accepted by Behaviour Improvement
  Project 9,850
• EP time 21 days _at_ 350 per day
• Behaviour Support Team time 10 days _at_ 250 per
  day
• additional time from BST core service time 10
  days funded by BST
• original timescale - Jan 06 to July 06

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My approach to the work

• start by establishing relationships with team
• ascertain client's goals and self ratings
• focus on head and deputy as the key clients
• film leadership team meetings
• follow up with feedbacks on individual basis
• be available for informal conversations and point
  of contact
• maintain morale of group via deputy

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Issues that emerged

• frustration from all parties with the way things
  were
• sense of hopelessness engulfing individuals but
  desire for change
• habitual patterns of behaviour stemming from the
  history and culture in the school and
  individuals interactional style
• lack of identity as a group

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Headteachers helping questions

• How can I improve the group dynamics so people
  are more open, proactive? Im hoping to learn the
  skills to bring out that interaction.
• How can I improve my listening skills, manage
  silences better?

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Deputy headteachers helping questions

• How can I improve my interactions with others to
  facilitate group participation?
• How clear are my verbal communications with
  others?

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Observable changes

• at an organizational level
• at an Interpersonal Level
• at a group level

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Changes at an organizational level

• structure of meetings established and roles
• forward planning and review of meetings

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Changes at an interpersonal level

• more positive reception of and responses to
  initiatives attentiveness through eye-contact,
  nodding, smiling, turning towards others, active
  listening
• better turn-taking more sharing of turns, fewer
  interruptions
• better facilitation of others involvement

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Changes at a group level

• better posture
• more relaxed interaction
• adoption of more formal dress code
• greater confidence in making contributions
• sense of group identity and purpose

16
Barncroft Leadership Team meetings

• Evaluation data

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Evaluation pre Jan 06 to post April 06
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Mid-project evaluation from the headteacher
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