How can headteachers ensure that their TAs are making the greatest possible difference? The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has updated its guidance on maximising the use of TAs to support learning (March 2025), reinforcing the importance of strategic deployment and evidence-based practice. Teaching assistants (TAs) are a vital part of the school workforce, yet their…
What VNET school leaders need to know about the Curriculum Review… The Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report has set out its initial findings, which have important implications for our primary schools. While much of the focus is on Secondary and post-16 education, the review highlights challenges that affect our youngest learners. As senior leaders,…
Supporting School Improvement – Case Study School Snapshot Synergy Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a group of 15 schools in Norfolk, that provide education for children from ages 2–18. VNET works closely with the primary phase in this Trust. Timescale Academic years, 21/22, 22/23 and 23/24 Challenge Synergy MAT engaged VNET to support its schools in…
Supporting School Improvement – Case Study School Snapshot Location: Rural North Norfolk, NOR 116, 16.4% of the students are eligible for free school meals. Ofsted: Good (March 2019) Challenge When the new Head was appointed in 2021 the school had no cohesive curriculum. There were no clear progression documents in place and children were taught…
Supporting School Improvement – Case Study School Snapshot Location:Coastal Norfolk, NOR 412, 51.7% of the students are eligible for free school meals. The number of EAL children is (52.9%) with 21 languages spoken. Ofsted:Good (March 2019) Challenge VNET worked with school leaders to identify the steps needed to improve the sequencing of the curriculum to…
Supporting School Improvement – Case Study School Snapshot Location: Rural West Norfolk, NOR 156,14.1% of the students are eligible for free school meals. Ofsted: Requires Improvement (February 2023) Challenge The early learning goal (ELG) of writing was a weak area and a barrier for children getting achieving GLD in EYFS. Timescale Academic year 23/24 Solution…
Supporting School Improvement – Case Study School Snapshot Location: Norfolk, NOR 479, 12.7% of the students are eligible for free school meals. Ofsted: Good (June 2024) Previous inspection: Outstanding (2018) Challenge To improve the attainment of disadvantaged students in reading Timescale Academic Year 23/24 Solution VNET worked alongside the reading leaders throughout the year to…
Supporting School Improvement – Case Study School Snapshot Location: Rural Norfolk, NOR 181, 19.9% of the students are eligible for free school meals. Ofsted: Good (May 2024) Previous inspection: Requires Improvement (September 2021) Challenge This primary school previously faced challenges in delivering a high-quality education, with specific weaknesses in curriculum coherence, staff expertise and pupil…
How a local context in your curriculum provides a window to the world. We all know that a well sequenced, ambitious curriculum is key to a good quality of education. It should be a narrative, with children knowing little at the beginning and knowing a lot more by the end. But how can we make…
The impact of the curriculum lies in whether students have learnt the things you’ve taught them. How do you know whether pupils know what you think they know? This project is intended for primary and secondary headteachers, senior and subject leaders who want to ensure that all pupils benefit from a good quality of education and optimise their learning and outcomes.
