Summary of Strategic Plan - Prep School

STRATEGIC PLAN SUMMARY

YEAR 2017- 2022

Introduction For any establishment which is aspiring to all-round excellence, a long-term strategic plan is an essential component of accountability. It is an improvement framework, which provides a means for us to clearly identify and communicate how we are working to improve outcomes for all our pupils.

The following is a summary, based on our review of the current Prep School Strategic Plan, (2017 – 2022), as we plan and prepare for our next 5 years, 2022 - 2027.

The following were originally identified as Strategic Priorities (2017 – 2022): • • • • • • • • • •

To build a culture of excellence and achievement.

To establish a growth mindset learning culture.

To develop an aspirational and inspirational curriculum.

To further develop Sherborne Qatar Prep School’s identity.

Strengthening engagement between the school, parents, local and wider community.

Developing and embedding sustainable, high quality and robust leadership throughout the school.

Prioritising excellence in staffing.

Continuing strong financial management.

Improving the school environment.

To build a culture of excellence and achievement Built on the principles of Commitment, Ownership, Responsibility and Trust, not only have we invested heavily in up-to-date, quality staff training, and will continue to do so, we also nurture all our staff to take accountability for their own professional development. We have recruited carefully, knowing what a hugely important role our staff play in the lives of our pupils. Through our culture of high expectations, we evaluate our provision regularly through Pupil Progress Meetings and triangulation of data. This leads to continual reviewing of our curriculum and how we can support and challenge all our learners in a personalised manner, whilst understanding and appreciating the importance we place on our moral values and learning dispositions.

To establish a growth mindset learning culture Above all, we believe very passionately in providing a safe and nurturing environment for all our children, parents and staff. This platform enables children to embrace the challenge of their own learning journey, knowing that as they discover their brilliance, they are supported by caring staff, developing skills for life. Simply put, we live and breathe our Mission: well-educated, well-rounded children, who develop their potential in a happy, nurturing school.

To develop an aspirational and inspirational curriculum With our children at the centre, as a school we have carefully considered what we do and why we do it. We have taken the National Curriculum as a starting point and then looked to enhance it, so that it blends the very best current practice from the UK with transferable skills in an international setting, right across our school day and through trips, fixtures and residentials – we call this The Sherborne WAY. Our thematic, open approach embraces parents, who are then supported through a wide range of opportunities, so they can fully engage in their child’s learning. With our recent introduction of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and The CUBE (Sept 2021), supported by specialist Heads of Department, this will continue to develop quickly over the next few years as we look to become a MicroSoft School.

To further develop Sherborne Qatar Prep School’s identity By developing our pastoral provision for children, which includes a strong, properly relevant (6) House system, (for a whole school model), supported by trained staff including, a School Counsellor and Mental Health / Wellbeing Lead, alongside a team of Designated Safeguarding Leads, we have developed a robust programme that works in parallel with a real, immersive and purposeful curriculum. This curriculum has clear, up-to-date, UK approaches to phonics, Maths and English, working in combination with our thematic delivery. Ultimately, we believe in providing opportunities for all our children, no matter what age, to develop our learning dispositions: Communication, Independence, Creativity, Resilience, Risk-Taking and Curiosity, fused with our moral values: Respect, Teamwork, Kindness, Responsibility, Perseverance and Honesty. The Sherborne WAY.

Strengthening engagement between the school, parents, local and wider community We have acknowledged the importance parents play in their children’s education and through a wide range of opportunities (in-class, 1:1, whole-school, workshops, presentations, remotely, reporting systems), looked to build clear lines of communication on a wide-range of topics. Further enhanced (Sept 2020) with Class Dojo and more recently (Sept 2021) with a more up-to-date version of Parent Notices and the continued development of our online learning journals in EYFS. These have been further supported by regular surveys and questionnaires (fortnightly during the first lockdown) on a wide range of topics and areas.

With a big marketing drive and a new website, we look to reach our wider community and further afield.

Developing and embedding sustainable, high quality and robust leadership throughout the school Through careful recruitment and by working to establish an environment built on professional trust and ownership, we have developed a supportive and continuous Professional Growth Policy (PGP) for all staff. This is the foundation of staff development, with real opportunities for staff, who through their thought and deed, role model qualities that the Sherborne Qatar family of schools hold dear.

Prioritising excellence in staffing Clear policies and high standards provide clear expectations that are regularly reviewed and reflected on, through collaboration in group, department, phase and whole-staff level.

Well-being is high on our agenda, line managers know their teams well and work hard to support them. Our NQTs / ECTs and PGP process is tailored to individual needs, with all teaching staff being part of the PGP process. Numerous CPD opportunities help to upskill all staff. We expect staff to be role models for our children.

Continuing strong financial management Clearer communication with a longer-term plan of requirements and resources (ie technology / renew and replace), has led to clear understanding of budgeting.

Improving the school environment Linked with the above – longer term planning for general upkeep and maintenance, as well as ongoing provision of outdoor environment / classroom environment, so that our children have access to facilities which enhance their learning opportunities eg Multi-purpose Hall, CUBE, EYFS and our (wider) curriculum.