Special Distinction examples of evidence

For each area of the Code of Practice, examples are provided here of the types of evidence that might be included in a school’s Special Distinction portfolio.

Code of Practice statement: Create a well-organised environment in which everyone can work comfortably and has clear expectations of behaviour that supports learning.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: Pupils, parents, teachers and volunteers have clear roles and responsibilities in creating an environment conducive to learning that promotes positive behaviour and excellent relationships. Children and young people take significant responsibility for their own and each other’s learning.
Examples of evidence: development/Action Plan – input from pupils, parents, teachers and volunteers; SWOT Analysis; Home School Student Agreement

Code of Practice statement: Agree what pupils need to learn, and teach them in a way that engages their interest and enthusiasm.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: The curriculum is well matched to pupils’ needs, and teachers engage, develop and extend pupils’ interests.
Examples of evidence: individual learning plans; schemes of work, lesson plans and records; interviews with teachers, training records; records of lesson observations

Code of Practice statement: Keep a record of what pupils have learnt, celebrate what they have achieved and, with their and their parents’ permission, pass on information about what they have learnt to other schools and organisations.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: Teachers are well informed about their subject, levels of achievement, and learning theories. Clear assessed targets are set for individuals and groups. Achievement is recorded and celebrated.
Examples of evidence: records of exam result; links with mainstream schools

Code of Practice statement: Provide teaching resources that are well matched to the pupils’ needs, and of the highest possible quality.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: Teachers use a wide range of diverse resources to extend children’s experience and support their learning.
Examples of evidence: examples of teaching resources;  inventory of stock and equipment

Code of Practice Statement: Provide teaching resources that are well matched to the pupils’ needs, and of the highest possible quality.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: Teachers use a wide range of diverse resources to extend children’s experience and support their learning.
Examples of evidence: business plan

Code of Practice statement: Find out about other organisations with similar aims, and work with them whenever the school can.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: The Supplementary School works with a range of partners from the statutory and voluntary sectors, and its staff ad volunteers help to disseminate good practice in supplementary education.
Examples of evidence: minutes of LEA or Network meetings; photo’s, letters and/or publicity material; newspaper articles or reports; partnership agreements

Code of Practice statement: Ask pupils, parents and carers, teachers and volunteers to help the school judge how well it is doing, and plan how to improve its service.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: Evaluation, involving young people and parents, and based on best practice in other supplementary schools, leads to targets for improvement being set and feeds into the development planning process.
Examples of evidence:samples of evaluation forms and reports; minutes from management meetings; targets and evaluation evidence

Code of Practice statement: Recruit staff and volunteers openly and fairly, and give them the support and supervision they need to do their jobs and carry out their roles effectively.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: Staff supervision feeds into staff development and training plan.
Examples of evidence: supervision notes; appraisal records; skills audit; training plans

Code of Practice statement: Make sure that children and adults are safe at all times when they are in the school’s care, by adopting, implementing and reviewing policies and procedures to protect them, and arranging Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD: Policies are monitored, annually reviewed, and sanctioned by the management committee
Examples of evidence: management committee minutes evidencing review of policies; evidence of designated person attending Level 2 Safeguarding training

Code of Practice statement: Budget effectively, manage finances wisely, and account openly for all income and expenditure.
SPECIAL DISTINCTION STANDARD:The management committee agrees and implements fundraising strategies, which are linked to the business planning process, and successfully raises funds.
Examples of evidence: fundraising plan; financial forecasts