LS Education: Consultancy
Some of our tiered subscription packages include consultancy days. These days are provided by our Learn Sheffield Improvement Partner (LSIP) team.
These consultancy days can be designed to meet the needs of each improvement activity. This
improvement menu provides ideas that leaders can use when scoping their work with the LSIP team and using the days that are included in their chosen subscription package if helpful.
The cost of the activities below will depend on the detail of how they are commissioned. Sometimes they are part of a wider package or benefit from a discounted day rate as part of a larger package of support (see below). Also, each activity can be adapted to meet the needs of the setting or trust, which may also change the cost.
| Day Bundles |
1-9 days |
10-19 days |
20+ days; |
|
Day Rate |
£750 |
£725 |
£700 |
Focused Review
This evaluation of SEND provision includes a pre-visit desktop evaluation, one day on-site and a written report. Typically, the activities are completed alongside a senior leader to support follow-up activities.
This is an evaluation of your provision for disadvantaged pupils. It includes a pre-visit desktop evaluation of your documentation, a one day on-site with case sampling and concluding with a written report. This review considers the strategic use of funding, curriculum, pupil attendance, inclusion and the impact on outcomes. Typically, the activities are completed alongside a senior leader to support follow-up actions and sustainable improvement.
This evaluation of attendance includes a pre-visit desktop document review, one day on-site and a written report. Typically, the activities are completed alongside leaders identified by the setting to support follow-up activities.
The review explores how effectively leaders create a culture where every pupil is known, valued and supported to succeed. It considers leadership, curriculum, adaptive practice, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding and wider provision to evaluate how well the needs of all learners are met. Typically, the activities include a review of documentation and an on-site review completed alongside a senior leader to support follow-up actions and sustained improvement. The review findings are confirmed with the setting in a report.
Early Years/Key Stage Review
This review provides an external evaluation of the effectiveness of EYFS. It includes one day on-site followed by a written report. The review evaluates the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and safeguarding within the early years. It considers how well the curriculum is designed and implemented, the quality of adult interactions, children's learning and development, and how effectively the provision prepares children for Year 1.
This includes off-site desktop review, followed by two full days on-site (i.e. one LSIP for two days or two LSIPs for one day). A report can be added if required, typically costing £375 or half a day.
This includes one day on-site: reviewing documents with the subject leader, carrying out a subject review alongside the subject leader and agreeing an on-site summary note of the visit.
Safeguarding
This includes off-site desktop review followed by one day on-site and a written report.
Themed Safeguarding Review
This can be bespoke depending upon the identified theme but typically will include off-site review, half a day on-site and a short written report.
Single Central Record Check
This review provides an external evaluation of the school's Single Central Record and associated safeguarding systems. It evaluates compliance with statutory requirements, the accuracy and completeness of records and the effectiveness of recruitment. The review also considers how the Single Central Record aligns with wider safeguarding practice, identifying strengths, areas for development and any actions required to ensure statutory compliance and strengthen safeguarding arrangements.
The website will be reviewed remotely. A report, including any areas for development, will be shared and a follow-up conversation is also included.
Leadership
School Improvement Partner
A three-day SIP package, which can be delivered in half-day or full day visits. The number of days can be scoped to meet your needs and reports can be incorporated, or added if required.
Providing the external expert input for the process – standard or enhanced (to include a mid-year external input) packages available.
Leadership Development Coaching
Leadership coaching provides personalised support for senior and middle leaders to strengthen strategic leadership, decision-making and school improvement. Coaching is tailored to the priorities of the individual and the organisation, providing a confidential space to explore challenges, refine thinking and develop effective leadership practice.
Curriculum Leader Development
This includes two twilight sessions for senior and curriculum leaders and a single subject review (as above) to provide an opportunity for the group to develop their understanding of subject review methodology
This review provides an external evaluation of pupils' work to consider how effectively the intended curriculum is being implemented over time. It explores the ambition and sequencing of the curriculum, pupils' knowledge and understanding, and where appropriate, the extent to which learning builds and links across year groups.
Leadership Team Development
This review supports leaders in strengthening the quality and consistency of learning walks as an evidence-informed approach to school improvement. It focuses on establishing a clear evaluative process with purposeful case sampling and professional dialogue. The review develops leaders' confidence in evaluating classroom practice within the context of curriculum intent and implementation, enabling them to frame evidence appropriately for external review. It also supports leaders to identify impact and evaluate areas for further development.
Multi-Academy Trust Programmes
Themed Trust Development Planning
Supplement setting reviews (a wide variety of these can be found earlier in the menu) by adding a desktop trust document review, bespoke trust training for identified leaders in advance of the reviews and an overall report for trust leaders and trustees to follow them. This programme has frequently been used to supplement a trust-wide programme of safeguarding, curriculum or SEND reviews for example.
Trust School Improvement Partners
Supplement setting reviews (a wide variety of these can be found earlier in the menu) by adding a desktop trust document review, bespoke trust training for identified leaders in advance of the reviews and an overall report for trust leaders and trustees to follow them.
This activity can be developed alongside the MAT to scope a thematic review. The pricing above reflects a standard review, which would typically include desktop review, followed by three days on-site(s), a written report and a follow-up conversation.
Providing the external expert input for the process – standard or enhanced (to include a mid-year external input) packages available.
Inspection Preparation
This activity includes a pre-visit desktop review, two days on-site (either two people for one day or one person for two days) and a written report. Larger settings may wish to add additional people or days.
This review provides an external evaluation of the school's self-evaluation to ensure it is accurate, evidence-informed and aligned with the current inspection framework. The review tests the validity of leaders' judgements, the strength of the supporting evidence and the extent to which identified priorities are reflected in strategic planning. It concludes with clear recommendations to strengthen self-evaluation and ensure it provides a robust foundation for sustainable school improvement.
Development Plan Feedback
This review provides an external evaluation of the school's strategic improvement planning to ensure priorities are focused on improving outcomes for pupils. It considers how accurately priorities are identified, the clarity of intended impact, and the effective monitoring and evaluation. Clear recommendations are provided to strengthen strategic planning and maximise implementation.
Bespoke Pre-Inspection Training and Support Programme
Each setting can construct a pre-inspection programme according to their needs. This may include any combination of: a desktop audit, a website review, preparation for the inspection call (half-day on-site) and a full day on-site review of identified trails. Pre-inspection training (for staff, governors, leadership teams, etc.) can be developed for delivery online or in-person. This training can be made bespoke to the setting(s).
Understanding the Ofsted Toolkit
This review supports leaders in developing a secure understanding of the current inspection framework and the evidence that informs inspection judgements. It explores how inspectors evaluate through a range of evidence sources. The review develops leaders' confidence in articulating the rationale, implementation and impact of their work, while strengthening their understanding of inspection methodology, professional dialogue and evidence gathering. It provides practical guidance to help leaders evaluate their provision with greater accuracy and prepare confidently for external review without promoting an inspection-driven approach.
This review supports leaders in identifying, selecting and presenting case samples that provide meaningful evidence of the school's work and its impact. It explores how case studies can be used to illustrate strategic decision-making, inclusion, curriculum implementation and support for individual pupils or groups. The review develops leaders' understanding of how case samples are selected and explored during external review, ensuring evidence is well-informed, representative and supported by wider evaluation. It provides practical guidance on presenting case samples through professional dialogue while demonstrating the effectiveness of leadership, provision and outcomes.