Fifteen Tips for Effective Quality Assurance

1. Keep at the forefront of your mind your commitment to avoiding the “August ‘If only’ regrets” at all costs. Encourage and remind others to do the same.

2. Only accept meaningful data.3. Encourage all departments and subjects to account for progress in a consistent way.4. Keeping good notes and evidence of actions and interventions focussing on impact in

a short a timeframe as possible. Ensure promises are kept!5. Be robust and confident about answering tough questions.6. Be clear and transparent. If it’s too complicated then it’s not working.7. Sift through aspects of the data and ensure the system works. If it doesn’t, challenge

the system robustly.8. Be willing to discuss areas requiring support openly and without fear.9. Be consistent in everything and ensure the process links to all areas of the school.10. Celebrate success weekly. Find some good news whatever is happening.11. Concentrate on pupils as individuals. Publicise mug shots of the pupils especially

those who are in most need of support and intervention. Do everything you can to champion pupils especially if they’re struggling.

12. Keep updating all information and other data.13. Link everything to the cycle of reporting but ensure reporting tells the same story as

that told in the Quality Assurance meetings.14. Involve governors in meetings which demonstrate the successes and challenges and

enable them to ask the kind of questions that will support improving standards.15. Involve parents in creating, modifying and monitoring the effectiveness of

assessment, recording and reporting. Act quickly and appropriately if the system is too opaque.