Launch of new Bedford primary school network to review each other’s schools

It’s called the Bedford Accelerator Peer Review Network and is funded by The Harpur Trust’s Accelerator Programme, which has been set up by The Trust to support the improvement of educational outcomes in the borough.

Primary schools Carlton, Hazeldene, Kings Oak, Lakeview, Livingstone, Priory, Turvey, Westfield and Wilstead, are the first cohort taking part in the Peer Review programme which will be facilitated over a three year period with further cohorts joining annually, working towards a self-sustaining Peer Review Network of Bedford Borough schools.

Caroline Downing, Head of Education Partnerships at The Harpur Trust, said: “We are delighted to launch the new network, following a successful peer review pilot carried out by the Bedford Borough Council.

“Having a clearly defined and purposeful peer review platform, where local school leaders visit each setting with a fresh set of challenging, yet supportive eyes, is really powerful. It can give senior leaders an opportunity to try new approaches, as well as offer school to school support.

“At the launch session the new network were really engaged with the process. It felt like we were building a real sense of community between the schools.”At the launch event the principles, structure, format and expectations of how to review each other were explored.

Cori Bateman, CEO of the Pioneer Learning Trust, explained: “Peer reviewing is so powerful. Having the opportunity to hold up a mirror to your school and reflect is valuable, but it has to be challenging, curious in nature and non-judgmental.

“At the launch the network of leaders appeared ready to open up the real issues within their schools with their peers, not just to showcase what is working well, but being honest and open to challenges, and forthcoming with suggestions and ideas.

“I’m very excited by the development of the new network and the impact this will have on the pupils in the borough. Emerging evidence shows that by working together in a structured way towards actions and outcomes, teachers and schools can improve faster and more sustainably.

“It enables a culture of continuous improvement and shared responsibility for outcomes across schools. This reduces variation in education provision and helps ensure all children have access to high quality education.”

Judith Lovely, Head of School Improvement for Bedford Borough Council, added: “It’s fantastic to see the leadership development pilot we carried out with a group of primary schools where peer reviewing worked really well, being developed into a three-year programme by The Harpur Trust and Pioneer Learning Trust, which will benefit pupils across the borough. We want to foster an environment with local schools where there is a collaborative feeling of collective responsibility to improve outcomes across the borough.”

Find out further information about The Harpur Trust’s Accelerator Programme at www.harpurtrust.org.uk/accelerator-programme