School Improvement

The DFE / national expectation for school improvement can be found in the following documents:

• KCSIE Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Schools causing concern Schools causing concern - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• LA role  Schools: statutory guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Side by Side is the Buckinghamshire model for a local, school to school improvement system. It aligns with the Buckinghamshire Education Strategy http://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/educationstrategy

Side by Side builds on the established, strong relationships across Buckinghamshire and enables all schools across the county to work collaboratively to support county wide school improvement.  It recognises that it is this wider system that will deliver improvements and as such harnesses and utilises the experience, strengths, and knowledge within our schools, with school leaders and practitioners deployed to support local schools.  The Local Authority’s role is one of a facilitator; identifying areas of strength and those which require development, building expertise capacity, empowering system leaders, and enabling support.

The process for Side by Side is:

• Working collaboratively, the School Improvement team risk assess all Buckinghamshire schools and assign each school to a category of support– Enhancement, Prevention or Intervention;
• For Prevention and Intervention schools where particular vulnerabilities exist, the local authority, in collaboration with the school leadership, brokers support by deploying ‘champions’ from within the Buckinghamshire family of schools to deliver significant improvements;
• Schools work collaboratively to share experience and learning, through both formalised and bespoke relationships;
• The School Improvement team quality assure the work delivered and identify areas for further improvement.

Further information can be found here: Side by Side which includes the Side by Side Strategy document.

For more information on the Side by Side model for school improvement, please contact:

BESST – Buckinghamshire School Support & Training   

As part of Buckinghamshire Council, BESST is uniquely placed to offer a wide range of locally focused school improvement and governor support services. Our services are designed and delivered with a focus on the needs of Buckinghamshire schools. We appreciate the challenges that schools are facing to raise standards and achieve educational goals, so our cost-effective services are designed with this in mind, to help you attain your objectives whilst gaining the greatest efficiencies from your budget. 

The BESST team is passionate about ensuring the very best outcomes for children and young people. We recognise that all educational institutions have unique needs, and we pride ourselves in providing tailor-made school improvement solutions and professional development programmes which work, both with you and for you, to provide maximum impact. 

Our trusted and experienced team of advisors deliver a range of highly effective, quality assured services to schools with the aim of supporting and challenging you to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children and young people in your school. 

The BESST Benefits:

• BESST services are designed and delivered with a focus on the needs of Buckinghamshire schools.
• BESST services are delivered by local experts, both from within the local authority and trusted local partners. 
• BESST services provide excellent value for money, the income from which will support the delivery of school improvement in Buckinghamshire for today and the future.
• The BESST team and partners have a unique relationship with Buckinghamshire schools and are committed to helping you improve the lives of children and young people. 
• The BESST team will ensure that bespoke services are tailored to the needs of your school.
• BESST services are targeted to ensure that they address the most pressing issues facing Buckinghamshire school leaders. 
• BESST will work with the school community to develop, shape and improve our services to meet the evolving needs of the school community within Buckinghamshire. 

Schools Improvement Services Offer for 2025/26

BESST offer a range of traded support to all Buckinghamshire schools for financial year 2025/26.  Our offer includes a range of flexible, pay as you go reviews, support, bespoke training and coaching offer so that you can tailor the exact support required by your school.

Please click here to see the full School Improvement Services Offer brochure for 2025/26

Governor Support Services 2025/26

BESST is pleased to be able to offer a full suite of support to Governing Boards, including Headteacher Performance Management delivered by our team of high experienced School Improvement Advisors and Headteacher recruitment.

In 2025/26 BESST is partnering with both the NGA and Governor Hub to ensure the highest quality and most up to date training and support. This will be supplemented with local county-specific, expert training, advice and guidance

Please click here to see the full Governor Support Services Offer brochure for 2025/26

BESST Training and CPD 2025/26

Continued Professional Development within Buckinghamshire is delivered by BESST, a range of other expert Buckinghamshire Council teams and partner agencies. We offer training for headteachers and senior leaders, governors and all members of school staff. 

The 2025/26 BESST Training and CPD brochure can be accessed here.  Please have a look at the range of training offers in the following categories:

• Leadership Events
• The Buckinghamshire Challenge – Raising Attainment for Disadvantaged Pupils
• Curriculum
• Safeguarding
• Primary Moderation and Assessment
• English as an Additional Language
• Secondary Schools
• Special Schools
• Outdoor Learning
• Admissions
• Early Career Headship