Schools_as_Organisations_Unit1

Unit 1 Schools as Organisations Task 1-5.1/1-5.2 Explain why schools have policies and procedures, and then write a brief summary of the policies and procedures in school relating to the following: All schools need policies and procedures so that governors,staff,children and parents involved in the school are able to work to the same set of rules and guidelines. Every policy and procedure should and will outline its aims,purpose and responsibilities the staff will have. A) Staff Staff have five main policies relating to them: Performance Management Policy, Pay Policy , Grievance Policy,Marking Policy and Health and Safety Policy. These policies are put in place to protect the staff's welfare and rights within the school , and explain the schools expectations. B) Pupil welfare The policies affecting pupil welfare within the school are: Safeguarding Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Behaviour Management Policy, Attendance Policy, Drugs Awareness Policy, Anti-bullying Policy, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education Policy. These policies are to outline what the school expects of them and to outline the protection put in place to safeguard the child in schools. c) Teaching and Learning There are quite a few policies affecting the teaching and learning within schools. These include: Teaching and Learning Policy, Early Years Policy, Curriculum Policy, Homework Policy, Special Educational Needs Policy, Planning and Assessment Policy, Gifted and Talented Policy and Inclusion Policy. These policies are put into place to ensure all children have equal access to the curriculum, and that learning is differentiated to suit each individuals needs. d) Equality, diversity and inclusion The following policies are to ensure that all children regardless of their background, race, religion, beliefs and abilities are treated the same and have equal access to all of the curriculum. These being Equal Opportunities Policy, Inclusion Policy, Race Equality and Cultural Diversity Policy, Disability and Access Policy. e) Parental engagement Parental engagement is thought to have major significance on a child’s well-being, learning and development and therefore schools have the following policies in place: Attendance Policy, Homework Policy and Home School Agreement Policy. These are to ensure that parents understand the schools responsibilities and the schools expectations of them and their child. Task 1-5.3 Evaluate how policies and procedures may be developed and communicated. Schools need to ensure not only that policies are in place, but also that they are revised and updated on a regular basis. It is likely that each policy will be dated and also have a date for its revision. There are a large number of ‘model’ policies available through local education authorities as well as through the internet to assist schools in drawing them up, as this can be a time consuming process. Depending on the policy, the schools senior management team or person responsible for a curriculum area (for example, the literacy co-ordinator) may draft a policy and then have it checked by other staff during a staff meeting. It will then need to be agreed or ratified by the governing body before it takes effect. Although you will not be required to know the contents of every school policy, in particular regarding the: Safeguarding policy Health and safety policy Behaviour management policy. Task 1-6.1/1-6.2/1-6.3 From the research task and group discussions complete the following: a) Write a summary of the roles and responsibilities of the Government for education policy and practice. The National Government are responsible for the education of children of compulsory school age and ensure that the National Curriculum is taught in all maintained schools in the UK. It is the Governments responsibility to the child whether they be in a maintained school or have home schooling and they are also responsible for producing the S.E.N Code of Practice, safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, legislation policies and Ofsted. Its the governments role to also look at ways to develop services available to children under the five outcomes of Every Child Matters. The government have set up school league tables and their role is to administer these. b) Summarise the roles and responsibilities of local government for education policy and practice. Once the Government has finalised all the policies and procedures it is then up to the local government to implement them. The local authority has a duty to find free school places for all children of compulsory school age in their area. They will also provide services to schools in the child’s local area including advice and support. These areas will include: staff training and development, special educational needs, the curriculum, behaviour management, school policies, school management and community cohesion. Central and local government share the responsibilities of the school funding, local authorities work with schools to achieve targets and achieving high standards of education. c) What is the role of schools in national policies relating to children, young people and families' Task 1-5.3 Evaluate how policies and procedures may be developed and communicated. Schools need to ensure not only that policies are in place, but also that they are revised and updated on a regular basis. It is likely that each policy will be dated and also have a date for its revision. There are a large number of ‘model’ policies available through local education authorities as well as through the internet to assist schools in drawing them up, as this can be a time consuming process. Depending on the policy, the schools senior management team or person responsible for a curriculum area (for example, the literacy co-ordinator) may draft a policy and then have it checked by other staff during a staff meeting. It will then need to be agreed or ratified by the governing body before it takes effect. Although you will not be required to know the contents of every school policy, in particular regarding the: Safeguarding policy Health and safety policy Behaviour management policy.