Planning For a New Term

 

Not planning, as most people believe, is planning to fail. If as a school leader, you start planning at the beginning of a term, then you are late and heading for a non focused journey. The role of planning, especially for a new term, cannot be underplayed, because there are a whole lot to consider before activating the calendar of the new term.

Apart from the general operation of a school system, which in itself should be a major factor, there are other things that tighten the grip of any school on their clients. Some of these factors call for serious planning before the start of a new term.  Let's consider some of them:

1.      Curriculum: Most parents like to know if they can entrust the academic lives of their kids into the hands of your school. So as a school leader, there is a need for you to always review your curriculum. Is your curriculum in line with the vision of your school? Is it helping you raise the kind of kids you desire to breed? Is the support provided really working? If not, what do you do to make it work?

2.      Structure: A school without a structure cannot be trusted in terms of sustainability. Structure is like the several branches of a tree that remains green, because they are rooted deeply. Is your school strong enough to maintain a system, in spite of any odd? What can you do differently, to give your school a deeper root? Whatever you do, maintain a system. It makes your clients, believe in your school, even when you are not saying a word.

3.      Consistency: Being inconsistent reveals a weakness that you are indecisive and unstable. A school leader should be visionary enough to see through obstacles and remain focused. So, what is your strategy of remaining focused? How do you still hold your grip on a system, when it is threatened by the resignation of valued teachers, the bad result of a hasty decision, accruing bills, and work pressure?

4.      Standard:  personally, I believe that a good school always sells itself. What are your standards, and how do you measure them? Always compare your school with schools that are ahead of yours in terms of structure, growth and experience. Raise the bar of your school high and you will attract clients who are looking for excellence or nothing else.

5.      Competition. If five top schools are mentioned in your neighborhood and your school is not on that list means that you are not competitive. Most parents who can afford it, take their kids to the school they believe are the best. Note that a school is not good, because of its structure it size, but because it meets the academic needs of learners and makes them better. Be intentional therefore, on the activities that make you measure up to the good schools around you.

6.      Professional development. The primary reason of taking kids to school is so they can be taught by teachers and learn. In other words, teachers are a major factor to be considered at the close of every term. How do you intend to improve on your man power? Trained and competent teachers can sell a school any day, because they spend more time with the kids in school and parents know that. So, train, train and keep retraining your teachers.

7.      Target: If you are looking at result, then you should have targets. What are your academic expectations across the grades? You should set a working system in place for tracking the progress of your learners, and providing new support if targets are not met.

Pay attention to these areas as you plan to advance your school every term,  and you would be glad you did.