About Us
The Kirkby Collaborative of Schools is located in Kirkby, Merseyside.
The Kirkby Collaborative of Schools has been in existence in various forms for over twenty years and school improvement has always been at its heart. The Collaborative was in an excellent position to fully grasp the opportunities for its further development that were made available through the 2010 White Paper and the school led self improving schools system. Also at this time Knowsley repositioned itself as a commissioning authority, and reduced its role as a direct provider of school improvement services.
The result is that the Collaborative has been the key provider of school improvement opportunities in Kirkby for six years. The Kirkby Collaborative of Schools offers a complex and continually developing model for school improvement, including an extensive range of commissioned services and training, coordinated and managed centrally, with decision making by all stakeholder schools.
All Kirkby schools are fully engaged in the Collaborative at primary and secondary level with full attendance at all ten monthly Headteacher Collaborative meetings and the annual Headteacher conference. This also includes Meadow Park School, based in Stockbridge Village. This enables a holistic approach to meeting the needs of all children in Kirkby.
Collaborative Aims:
- To work together as a family of schools for the community of Kirkby.
- To further develop our 21st century learning community by working together to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and the highest standards of learning and achievement for all children in Kirkby.
- To improve opportunities for our learners and their right to have a world class curriculum.
- To contribute to the outcome of the most up to date Knowsley Education Improvement Strategy.
- To develop effective programmes and partnerships that will enhance the learning opportunities within the Collaborative.
- To conduct evaluation and challenge based on trust and reciprocity.
- To contribute to the professional development of all staff and disseminate good practice across the Kirkby family of schools.
- To develop effective communication and consultation between member schools.
- To develop effective working relationships with all stakeholders within and beyond the Collaborative.
- To work collaboratively in addressing local and national priorities.
- To support the well being of all staff, pupils, parents and Governors in the Collaborative.
The Kirkby Collaborative of Schools works with a range of partners to provide school improvement support and development opportunities including:
Leadership and management
- Leadership Partner Support to Headteacher including Headteacher Induction
- Primary and Secondary Leadership Programmes
- Deputy Headteacher Network
- Primary Subject Leadership Programmes and Networking Events
- Monthly Leadership Network Events
- Annual Leadership Conference
- Governor support programme
- Annual SENCO conference
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment
- Four Collaborative cluster groups – our tripods – with focus areas including moderation and curriculum innovation
- Knowsley Maths strategy
- Kirkby Power of Reading project
- Developing skills of Teaching Assistants
Personal development, behaviour and welfare
- Development of The Kirkby Child across the whole family of schools
- Kirkby Schools Council
- Development of aspirational work for pupils at Edge Hill University
- Annual Celebration of Achievement event
- Annual Attendance conference and celebration events
- Learning mentor network
- Team Teach training programme
Safeguarding
- Annual safeguarding conference
- Annual programme of first aid, food safety and administration of medicines training
- Bespoke Health and Safety Training
Outcomes for pupils
- Development of mastery and greater depth
- Art In Education Programme – partnership with Kirkby Gallery and art in the community
- Speech and language development – A Chance to Talk in Kirkby programme
Effectiveness of Early Years
- Annual Early Years Conference
Other areas
- Collaborative hub for ITT students and other programmes from Edge Hill University
- Community programmes with Knowsley Foodbank and Kirkby festival
- Website With access to School Improvement training and Resources
- Annual CPD conference for all 12 primary schools
