The SEF school pilot programme ran from September 2008 to July 2009, and involved 96 schools across Wales.  Thirty School Effectiveness Associates were trained to work with the pilot schools individually and in groups.

The associates were either serving heads or education improvement professionals; they worked with the school to help them to develop networks of professional practice.

The aim was to evaluate the schools’ strengths and areas for development, identifying good practice with a view to sharing across the group.

Two models were followed – these are outlined on the following pages.