This document provides information about using an Action Learning Network (ALN) and leading a school self-evaluation (SSE) process focused on literacy and numeracy. It discusses establishing an ALN team to coordinate and lead the SSE, identifying which data collection instruments will be used, and developing an improvement plan based on strengths and areas needing improvement identified through the SSE process. A calendar of ALN module dates and details is also included, with Forbairt offering support throughout the ALN and SSE process.

1. Forbairt
Action Learning Network (ALN)
a tool for
Leading School Self – Evaluation (SSE)
of Literacy & Numeracy (L&N)
What?
Why?
When?
How?
21st Century Leadership

2. School Leadership, ALN and SSE
Two Key Questions for School Leaders:
• How might we lead an ALN on Literacy or
Numeracy (L/N) in our school?
• How might we utilise SSE to identify and
support an ALN project on L / N in our school?

3. Three Leadership Questions
In Your School:
• Which self-evaluation processes are going to have
most potential impact on pupils’ learning (L/N)?
• Who within the school community can take
responsibility for carrying out these processes
and identifying improvement actions from these?
• What structures (eg team-based approaches) will
support this?
Dimeck, NCSL, 2006

4. Data Gathering Instruments (DES)
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Self reflection by
individual teacher
Group reflection by
teachers/subject
department/ Team
planning and teaching
Collaborative teaching
and review
Peer dialogue/sharing
experience
Observation of teaching
and learning / Peer
observation/review
• Assessment data –
formative and summative
• Learner and parent surveys
(student/parent voice)
• Focus group discussion
• Interviews
• Whole-school reflection
• Review of students’
copies/files

5. Data Gathering:
DES Instruments
for data gathering
• Which instruments might you use in your
school and why?
• What data will you collect using these
instruments?
• What will you find out about your school
from using these instruments?
• What challenges/opportunities are presented
in using these instruments in your school?

6. H
HOW might we lead the SSE process?
• Who? (Link Teacher and ALN team)
• Identify who will be responsible e.g.
•
•
•
•
•
co-ordinating the overall process
gathering and analysing evidence
writing quality statements
developing targets for improvement
implementing improvement plan
• How / When?
• Agree process and timeline (PDST Project Planner)
Forbairt will assist through the ALN process

7. School Improvement
Plan
Our School Improvement Plan
Summary of main strengths as identified in
last SSE:
Summary of main areas requiring
improvement as identified in last SSE:
Improvement Targets
Required actions
Persons responsible
Timeframe for action
Success criteria/measurable outcomes
Review date(s)

8. Describing the
issue / topic
Reflecting on the
process
THE
ALN
PROCESS
Reporting back to the
group on the results of
the action
Receiving
contributions from the
group in the form of
questions, suggestions
and feedback
Reflecting on the
discussion and deciding on
a course of action

9. Agenda for first group meeting
• Introductions and contact details.
• ALNs
• Each school will introduce its planned project,
including
–
–
–
–
reasons for the project,
actions to date,
issues to be addressed,
supports accessed or required.
• General discussion on each project.
• Individual school planning.

10. How is an ALN conducted?
• LDS team member/Associate organises the venueEd.Centre/date/time/agenda.
• Based on the needs of the school: SSE, L&N.
• Sharing of experience and data.
• Openness to ‘other' ways of working.
• Genuine dialogue among professionals.
• Distributed Leadership in action.
• Develop good working relationships and form
networks.

11. Forbairt Calendar ‘12/13
• Module 1: Residential P.&D.P. Sept 2012, Cavan; Oct 2012,
Charleville
• Module 2: Evening/Ed.Centre-Week of Nov 5th . -four
participants (P, DP +2)
• Module 3 Residential Jan 2013 (Cavan) /Feb 2013 (Ennis)
P&D.P.
• Module 4: Evening/Ed.Centre-Week of Mar 4th
-four participants
• Module 5: Sept 2013-all of the team
Forbairt Support (ALNs + School visits) throughout the life of
the project.

12. ALN
• Questions, Concerns, Comments???