Getting your ducks in a row: The necessary steps in securing one school’s journey of improvement

JON BISHOP, HEADTEACHER, ROBERT BAKEWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL, UK MARK HIBBERT, DEPUTY HEADTEACHER, ROBERT BAKEWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL, UK KATIE DIXON, PHASE LEADER, ROBERT BAKEWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL, UK Following  a research-backed process of school improvement over several years at Robert Bakewell Primary School, we felt it timely to share our approach: our hurdles, challenges and successes. Throughout the school’s journey, there were many opportunities for reflection with different stakeholders. We recognised that curriculum development, coherence and innovation were all only achieved through first ensuring that behaviour, environment (both internal and external), parental engagement and school staffing structure were all in place and working well. Being outwardly focused, transparent and collegiate in our approach facilitated speedy and successful progression through the stages of improvement highlighted in the remainder of this article. Duck 1 was behaviour. During a time when social