The Independent Schools Centre for Excellence (ISCE) is an initiative funded by the Australian Government under the Smarter Schools National Partnership for Improving Teacher Quality. The central aim of the ISCE is to assist schools to raise the quality of teaching and learning throughout the independent sector, thereby enhancing student performance. It facilitates the sharing of high quality teaching practice between independent schools and fosters partnerships across the sector and with Aboriginal communities.
A survey circulated in May 2010 to all independent schools in NSW provided valuable direction for guiding the development of programs within the ISCE. The results identified schools with specific expertise linked to the reform priorities and the types of professional support to achieve improved outcomes for teacher and student learning. ISCE initiatives were designed to match school expertise and identified professional learning needs linked to the reform priorities.
A second survey in 2012 will set new directions, as well as building on previous work.
New ISCE Initiatives in 2012
Teaching in a Multi Age Classroom: Mullumbimby Christian School with 38 students and two teachers agreed to their K-4 class being filmed to demonstrate how a skilled teacher manages the teaching and learning in a multi-age context. The film will be used as the basis of a 2012 professional learning course for multi-age teachers in regional schools.
Teacher Accreditation Schools Support Grants: Independent schools have been able to apply for a grant that will enable an experienced school coordinator of teacher accreditation to mentor a newly appointed or inexperienced coordinator of teacher accreditation. The grant offers both support and leadership opportunities for the participants.
Project for Improving the Quality of Teacher Education Practicum Placements: This project provides grants for action learning projects to support independent schools to collaborate with universities to develop approaches that will enhance the quality of teacher education practicum placements.
Aboriginal Education Network: Plans are underway for a 2012 networking day for members of the executive in independent schools with Aboriginal students. This will be followed by a conference in 2013. There will be more details about the networking day and conference in Term 2.
Paraprofessional Support Grant for Aboriginal Education Workers: Grants may be provided for independent schools to support Aboriginal Education Workers currently employed at their school to pursue additional qualifications. Please contact Lynne Stone for further information: lstone@aisnsw.edu.au
Ongoing ISCE Initiatives
Teacher Accreditation grants: These grants support teachers to achieve accreditation at the higher levels of Professional Accomplishment, Professional Excellence and Professional Leadership. Since June 2010, 16 grants have been provided to schools.
Professional Exchange and Mentoring: Over 50 teachers, librarians and IT Managers across NSW have been involved in mentoring very experienced educators from other schools. These teachers are mostly in smaller, regional schools and many are in their first three years of teaching. The mentors selected for the program are all recognised as excellent practitioners in their field. Many of the mentors are accredited at the level of Professional Accomplishment or are working toward this level.
Building Relationships Grants: Currently 22 schools have received grants to promote collaboration and sharing of expertise that supports teachers to improve their students’ educational outcomes. By building relationships now, the aim is that partnerships will continue to develop beyond the period of the funding and so support sustainable improvement.
In 2012 two Sydney schools are supporting a regional school with 16 New Scheme Teachers, while two schools are collaborating on an iPad project. Using video conferencing, a school is supporting others with insights into Extension 1 and 2 English marking. In collaboration with a university research unit, one school is exploring 21st century learning and will share their work with five other schools.
Many of these partnerships involve schools serving low SES communities and schools in regional areas. The grants contribute to the independent sector’s capacity to make a difference for the students’ learning in these schools.
For more information about the ISCE and progress of independent schools in this initiative refer to the documents on the right hand side of this page.
How can you and your school be involved?
If you would like to become involved in the ISCE or explore the possibilities of funding to support improvements in teacher quality in the independent sector, please contact Lynne Stone, National Partnerships Coordinator at lstone@aisnsw.edu.au