Courageous leadership for professional accountability: Developing an innovative culture of learning

This case study from Acklam Grange School showcases their journey when faced with a ‘requires improvement’ judgement. The school made significant changes to develop consistent teaching methods and a collaborative professional learning culture. The ‘Acklam Grange Way’ and ‘AGS Inspire’ initiatives were instrumental in driving consistency in teaching and fostering a vibrant, learning-focused environment. Emphasising high expectations, mutual respect, and a commitment to professional growth, these strategies led to marked improvements in the quality of teaching and learning. Departments named in the original report significantly improved due to the consistent approaches and support. Progress data indicated the approach improved students’ progress with strategies such as a sharper focus on marking to inform students on how to improve their work. This study illustrates the power of focused, principled efforts in transforming school culture and elevating educational standards.