“Consistency lays the foundation and creates expectations. Promoting consistency within any school is tantamount to laying the cornerstone of an effective school, for the consistency which you create, develop, nurture and enhance will eventually permeate your school.” Sura Hara (2008)
Consistency is a common word used by school leaders continuously. It is a word that underpins progress and achievement for all. It is often seen as a ‘no brainer’ in high achieving and excellent schools. Schools are also judged by the level of consistent practice seen across Ofsted’s five key areas:
Effectiveness of leadership and management
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment
Personal development, behaviour and welfare
Outcomes for pupils
Early Years provision
Frequently in many Ofsted’s reports, the language of ‘consistency’ pops up.
Despite the fact that some schools are applauded for their ‘high consistent expectations’, ‘consistent teaching and assessment’, or ‘consistent approach to learning behaviours’, other schools are rebuked for lack of consistent practice across classrooms in teaching, assessment or learning behaviours.
Some teachers would argue that the application of consistency in the classroom kills the creativity of teachers while other say teachers might feel boxed up into teaching practices they do not believe in.
In many cases, the phrase ‘singing from the same page’ is merely taken seriously as some teachers feel reluctant to any adapt their practice to any current research based practices introduced.
Addressing consistent practice should be the number one priority in schools that have been rebuked for a lack of it.
How should consistency be addressed across a school?
The context of every school is different however, in line with a school’s value or culture, a school can create and apply consistent practice across its key stages or departments.
There are two key aspects to think about when creating a culture of consistency.
1. Effective behaviour policy
There needs to be high expectations of behaviour across a school that all stakeholders must adherent to it. It needs to be clear, concise, and displayed in all classrooms. It also has to be used consistently by all staff members without a feeling of confusion or playing teachers against each other because the teacher who uphold the policy appears to be harsh and those who are too lenient appear to be ‘too cool’. This atmosphere seriously undermines the purpose of a behaviour policy which then impacts on achievements and outcomes.
I recently went to #Harris Federation Teaching School, Crystal Palace for #BAMEd Diverse Leaders programme and I couldn’t help admire the clear classroom expectations display. There was an acronym – SWAT, where S means – State, W – Warn, A – Action and T – Transfer.
I was impressed by the simplicity, preciseness and support it would provide for teachers and pupils alike especially if they are new to the environment.
2. Routines
Well thought out routines creates an atmosphere for learning and eliminates transition time problems.
A school with vibrant routine cultures do not assume that pupils know how to behave during certain times but rather pupils are taught and given feedback on routine expectations.
Routines range from what might happen when pupils arrive in the morning to what is expected when it is time to leave school.
In some schools, the pupils might start the day with some fascinating philosophical questions or images whereas some schools might start the day with Early Morning Work (EMW) with a focus on Mathematics, Writing or Reading.
When there is an effective behaviour policy and high quality routines in a school which is applied consistently by all members of staff, the school will then need to focus on high quality teaching, learning and assessment for sustained pupils’ outcomes.
I’m eager to learn about what has worked in your school in regards to consistency.
How have you created the atmosphere of high expectations without compromising on consistency?
Do you have clear, consistent practice in your school?
What has worked really well in your school?
Please let me know.
