Improving Together Network
Advisory Service Kent & Clusters in Partnership: Home Page

• Improving Together Network 2009/10 Brochure Word Version

The remit is for Advisory Service Kent and clusters to work in partnership to raise standards in schools and be the champions for all children and young people by providing support, advice and professional development on all aspects of school improvement, leadership and management and curriculum development.

We carry this out in the context of the New Relationship with Schools and our focus is summarised by the following:

"the new relationship will build the capacity of schools to improve, with rigorous self-evaluation, stronger collaboration and effective planning for improvement."

The context of Every Child Matters and the five outcomes for children gives the overall strategic framework in which we are working. In Kent the Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP) brings together key priorities which support early years settings, schools and clusters to raise standards and expectations. We aim to support all staff, both teaching and support staff, in settings, schools and clusters in meeting the challenges through our advisers, consultants and other associate trainers who offer the highest level of expertise in specialist areas.

In many clusters there are already key cluster networks for the sharing of good practice and the ITN programme has been developed in liaison with LCSPMs (Local Children's Service Partnership Managers) to enhance local provision. This enables the programme to be planned to meet local needs as well as being a key vehicle for communication and development around national and local priorities.

The programmes we offer have been constructed to reflect the different stages of a teacher's career and the relevant National Standards. The focus is on professional development, which meets the needs of settings, schools, clusters and staff and is developmental over time. There is also the opportunity to develop bespoke training and development to meet particular needs and the context in which you are working. Often the programmes are supported through coaching and mentoring strategies and follow-up sessions to share good practice. We also run a major conference programme with national speakers and a range of workshop opportunities as well as promoting action research, local learning groups and specialist networks.