>Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does the Sycol Programme Do?

It provides an effective framework to help your school grow and realise its full potential. It provides a step-by-step guide for turning your vision into strategy via effective distributed leadership and the embedding of continuous improvement practices.

What’s the structure of the programme?

Whatever your starting point the Sycol Programme will ensure that your school achieves and maintains outstanding outcomes using our Build, Embed, Sustain plan.

How is the programme delivered?

In 3 ways;

Training & Development

We will train a group of your staff to Lead the work in your school. Wel then support the Lead Team throughout the programme.
Practical Manuals

Your Lead Team will receive Manuals for the implementing the Build, Embed and Sustain content of the programme.
Comprehensive Online Resources

Your school will have access to the Online Members Area with resources to accompany the Manuals. In this area you can record and update your progress on a simple dashboard and share information with other Sycol schools.

What is a Sycol Lead and can anyone become one?

A Sycol Lead works as part of a Team of Leads within your school to embed the practice and culture of continuous improvement. Anyone can become a Lead so long as they have the commitment required to fulfil the role.

What is the duration of the programme?

We encourage you to think about your relationship with us to for a minimum of 3 years.

How is progress measured?

Positive outcomes will be observed as you progress and complete the Build, Embed and Sustain stages respectively.

Your school Leads will keep track of your progress by checking-off completed Focus Points online and Sycol will monitor your progress and support you every step of the way.

In what areas will we see results?

Your school will improve in its ability to improve and will become a self-improving school. The impact of having such capacity will be higher standards and improvements within the Sycol Innovation Areas included in the proramme, namely;

Teaching & Learning
Behaviour & Safety (both of Staff & Pupils)
Continuous Improvement
Environment (both the Learning and Welcoming environment)
Distributed Leadership

What kind of support will Sycol provide?

As a member of a network of Sycol schools you and all your staff can share ideas and resources with other members online. When you reach Tier 3 (the end of the Sustain Stage) you’ll be encouraged to establish yourself as a Model School in order to nurture, support and challenge other schools as a Critical Friend.
During the programme you can access Sycol Online and email support at any point to help you troubleshoot issues as they emerge.
Sycol also provides face-to-face training to schools on any part of the programme, for example, at the beginning of the programme and at the end of Key Milestones.