School Improvement Service

Schools are responsible for their own performance and improvement, with Bedford Borough Council providing support to ensure high-quality education and safeguarding. 

If necessary, the local authority will intervene if concerns about provision arise.

In line with government expectations, maintained schools rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' in all judgement areas by Ofsted will have a core offer from the local authority, whilst maintained schools requiring intervention, will receive an agreed package of support to address the identified areas for improvement. 

Standalone Academies and Academy schools in MATs have the option of spot purchasing CPD and or support.

School Improvement Advisers

Our School Improvement Advisers play a crucial role in supporting schools to enhance outcomes for all students, including those facing barriers to achievement. 

They work closely with school leaders and governors to assess performance, develop improvement strategies, and provide ongoing support.

Key areas of focus include leadership development, curriculum guidance, pedagogy, assessment practices, and professional development opportunities for staff. The advisers also help monitor progress, evaluate school improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with educational standards.

This support aligns with the Bedford Borough Education Strategy, focusing on breaking cycles of deprivation and enhancing life chances for all students. By prioritising early intervention and safeguarding, we aim to ensure that every child is supported and that schools can implement effective changes to raise educational standards, close attainment gaps, and foster an inclusive environment.

Our commitment to Early Years Education

Our Teaching and Learning Adviser for EYFS works closely with the Early Years Team and local practitioners to improve outcomes for young learners, ensuring they are curious, social, and well-prepared for school. This supports Bedford Borough’s Education Strategy, which focuses on:

• raising attainment in reading, writing, and mathematics
• closing gaps for disadvantaged and SEND learners
• ensuring smooth transitions from Early Years to Key Stage 1
• promoting leadership and teaching excellence

Support for schools and settings

We are dedicated to raising the quality of Early Years education across nurseries, preschools, and reception classes, working towards increasing the number of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD). The Adviser provides tailored support, ensuring all EYFS practitioners are supported and challenged to achieve excellence.

Professional development opportunities

We offer a variety of professional development options, including:  

• face-to-face training on key Early Years and Year 1 topics
• online discussions and bite-sized recordings on reading, writing, and mathematics
• professional Study Group Sessions (PSGs) for best practices and transition strategies
• regular online catch-ups to support collaboration

Tailored In-School Support Our Adviser also provides direct support, such as:

• early reading audits to strengthen phonics and literacy
• classroom environment optimisation for effective learning
• continuous provision strategies for independent learning
• curriculum development and timetabling assistance

We also offer twilight training sessions to provide additional flexible learning opportunities for educators.

By embedding these strategies, we align with Bedford Borough’s vision of providing every child with the best start in life and ensuring all practitioners are equipped for excellence in Early Years and Key Stage 1 education.

We are committed to supporting schools in meeting the diverse needs of learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 

Our local offer provides a comprehensive range of services, ensuring schools have access to expert guidance and resources to create inclusive environments where all students can thrive.

Our Teaching and Learning Advisers for SEND works closely with schools to provide tailored support, focusing on improving outcomes for students with SEND and helping institutions overcome the unique challenges they may face. This bespoke support includes:

• In-depth assessment and advice on SEND provision and inclusive practices.
• Curriculum development and adaptations to ensure full access to education for all learners.
• Training and professional development for staff to enhance their understanding and delivery of SEND teaching strategies.
• Support for implementing effective interventions and strategies to close the gap for learners with SEND.

By linking our work with the Bedford Borough Education Strategy, we aim to ensure that all children, particularly those with SEND, benefit from high-quality education and a supportive learning environment. Our focus on early intervention, tailored support, and inclusive teaching practices aligns with the strategy’s goal of raising educational standards and improving life outcomes for all learners, regardless of their background or learning needs.

We pride ourselves on our ability to provide personalised assistance, helping schools foster environments where every learner is supported to achieve their full potential.

Our Teaching and Learning Adviser for Safeguarding, EAL, and Vulnerable Groups plays a pivotal role in supporting schools to enhance their provision for students from diverse backgrounds and those facing additional challenges. 

This role focuses on ensuring that all learners, regardless of their personal circumstances, have access to high-quality education and safeguarding measures.

The Adviser provides tailored support in the following areas:

• Safeguarding: Offering guidance on best practices for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, ensuring schools adhere to legal requirements and create a safe, nurturing environment for all students.
• EAL (English as an Additional Language): Supporting schools to develop effective strategies for teaching and assessing EAL learners, ensuring they have full access to the curriculum and are supported to achieve their potential.
• Vulnerable Groups: Providing expert advice on supporting disadvantaged and SEND students, with a focus on raising their achievement and addressing barriers to learning.

In addition, the Teaching and Learning Adviser offers:

• Training and professional development: Tailored training sessions for staff on safeguarding procedures, inclusive teaching practices, and strategies for supporting EAL and vulnerable students.
• Monitoring and support: Helping schools implement and monitor strategies for improving outcomes for these groups, ensuring that initiatives are effective, and that progress is tracked.
• Leadership guidance: Working with school leaders to ensure that safeguarding, EAL, and vulnerable student provision is embedded across school policy and practice.

This role aligns with the Bedford Borough Education Strategy, focusing on early intervention, inclusion, and raising educational outcomes for all students. By prioritising safeguarding, language acquisition, and tailored support for vulnerable groups, we aim to ensure that every learner has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Effective governance is essential for school success, providing strategic direction, accountability, and support to leadership. Governors play a crucial role in overseeing school performance, supporting improvement, and ensuring financial and operational efficiency.

At Bedford Borough, we offer a range of Governor Services to help schools recruit, train, and develop their governing bodies. With the support of our dedicated School Governance Officer, we ensure that governors are equipped to fulfil their roles effectively.

See our school governors pages.

The School Improvement Team provides a comprehensive CPD offer through core and commissioned services to support schools in delivering high-quality education and improving outcomes, aligned with the Bedford Borough Education Strategy.

Face-to-Face CPD

• Leadership development – Strengthening strategic school leadership.
• Curriculum and assessment – Designing and refining high-quality curricula.
• Subject-specific and SEND training – Supporting inclusive and effective teaching.

Online learning

• Bite-sized CPD and webinars – Flexible, on-demand training.
• Professional study groups (PSGS) – Best practice sharing and collaboration.

In-school support

• Leadership coaching and reviews – Driving school improvement.
• Curriculum and assessment audits – Refining planning and teaching.
• Early reading and phonics support – Enhancing literacy outcomes.

Twilight and out-of-hours CPD

• Flexible training in key areas, accessible beyond the school day.

Supporting School Improvement

Our training helps schools:

• raise attainment and close gaps for all learners
• strengthen leadership and governance for sustainable impact
• improve transitions and teaching quality across key stages

By engaging with our high-impact CPD, schools can drive excellence and improve pupil outcomes across Bedford Borough.

These links provide essential tools and resources to support school improvement, ensuring that policies and practices align with current standards and guidance

For up-to-date guidance and official reports related to education, including policies, inspections, and school performance, the following resources are essential:

Bedford Borough Council Education Strategy

Download our Bedford Borough Education Strategy (PDF)

Department for Education (DfE)

The DfE provides comprehensive guidance on a wide range of topics, including curriculum design, assessment, safeguarding, and special educational needs. Key resources include:

• DfE Statutory Guidance: Access the latest policies and guidance for schools and settings. 
• Keeping Children Safe in Education: Safeguarding and welfare guidelines for schools.

Ofsted

Ofsted reports on school performance, inspections, and quality of education across England. 

You can find:

• Ofsted reports: Search for inspection reports for specific schools.
• Ofsted Inspection Framework: Detailed guidelines on how inspections are conducted.

Other key resources

• School Performance Tables: Find performance data for schools across England. 
• The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL): Access professional development resources for teachers and leaders.