The Learning Quality Framework – support for strategic leaders in securing Silver criteria

Where to start:

There is an assumption that all of the Indicators at Bronze level are secure. If any Bronze Indicators still require attention, consider doing these first before embarking on:

• Dimension 1 Commitment: ensure that Indicator 2.1(s) is addressed first. It is the key to this Dimension and underpins the other Dimensions.
• Dimension 2 Planning: ensure that Indicators 4.1(s), 5,2(s) and 5.3(s) are secured – they open the path for the other Indicators in Dimensions 2 and 3.
• Dimension 3 Action: As at the Bronze phase, enable and support small scale enquiries in any of the Indicators 7.1(s) through to 9.2(s). In particular changes in Principle 7 frequently have a pay off in the linked Indicator in Principle 8.  The Silver phase is about spreading existing good practice more widely across the school.
• Dimension 4 Evaluation: Indicator 11.2(s) is the key to this phase and an essential precursor for the Gold phase.

Action on dimensions 1, 2 and 3 build on the Bronze phase, but the idea of a progression map is new at the Silver level.

This resource offers support for Dimension 4, and the idea of progression maps, and how 11.2 affects some other indicators.

The idea of progression maps is introduced in the Learning Quality Framework in Indicator 11.2 (silver).

It states that:

The school has developed a broad map of progression in the development of learning dispositions in line with its framework for learning and L&T policy.

Moreover, the impact of this ripples out through other aspects of the Quality Framework. It informs developments in many of the other principles and indicators, and as such is the major stumbling block for schools seeking Silver accreditation. Going further, the lack of coherent progression maps makes achieving Gold accreditation an impossibility.

This resource is designed to support schools in developing their own progression maps and in using them to secure many other aspects of the Quality Framework.

The resource has 4 sections:

1. Getting a handle on progression
2. What a progression map looks like
3. How progression maps impact on other LQF indicators
4. Exemplar progression maps for other learning behaviours