The process of action planning helps teachers focus on the detail of what needs to be done and the resource implications. Action points are vital for monitoring and evaluating progress and need to have clear, appropriate and achievable success criteria. Action planning is an ongoing process and plans should be kept under constant review.

Points to consider when drawing up an action plan

Clarity and appropriateness Are action points clear and specific? Is there sufficient emphasis on the most important issues?
Do the action points clearly relate to the outcomes of the departmental audit and to the school improvement plan?
Are the action points expressed in terms of improving standards of pupils' performance and the quality of teaching and learning?
Is it clear how actions will be achieved? Who is responsible for what and by when? What resources are required?

Resources

Is each action costed?
Have sources of funding been identified?
Is teacher time included?

Monitoring

How will the development work be monitored?
How will data and information be collected systematically so that it can be used to inform evaluation?
Are monitoring personnel named? Are senior managers, governors or external consultants involved?
Is there a schedule for monitoring each action point, which is linked to milestones for each of them?

Evaluation

Are there clear criteria for measuring success? Are they expressed in terms of pupils' standards and the quality of teaching and learning?
Who will evaluate the impact of the plan? Are there named senior managers, governors or external consultants?
Are methods for evaluation specified?
How and when will evaluations be reported, and to whom?

Further guidance on action planning is available on the DfES Standards website: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/keystage3

Click here to access the Thinking Skills PowerPoint presentation.