According to Jan Palmer Sayer, headteacher at Hertswood Arts Specialist College, the two most important relationships a headteacher can have is with their school improvement partner and their chair of governors. So when, as a new headteacher, she joined the college 5 years after its very unpopular creation, she had her work cut out to improve standards, develop the arts specialism and continue to engage the community. Jan knew what to do in order to improve the curriculum, as well as how to develop the art department. What she did not know was the community and history of the school, so that is where the school improvement partner and chair of governors supported her the most. Then, three years ago, when the head of art left and results in that area plummeted, Jan, her SIP and the chair of governors came up with a unique solution to solving their staffing issues.

Video Series: Working with SIPs
Release Date 2010