17 Nov Seven Essential Tips for Strategic Planning in Schools
Even though your school has dealt with disruption, innovation and change since March 2020 it’s time to revisit your strategic plan and review for 2021 to make sure your school community has 3 – 5 year plans in place to empower students and teachers alike to be resilient, adaptable and innovative, change makers in our ever-changing world. Here are some essential tips for you to consider.
- Use strategic thinking, futures thinking and systems thinking to front load your planning and go beyond your school’s current reality. You don’t want to create the school you already have, you want to continue to innovate to meet the changing needs of Generation Alpha and Generation Z
- Focus on what is most important for your students and your school.
- Understand that while you can’t create the future you can certainly plan for it. An agile and adaptive plan can be flexible when unforeseen challenges arise and help you to stay true to your most important goals during difficult times.
- Make sure you use the school’s mission and vision as the foundation to guide your strategic thinking.
- Consider 3 – 5 year plans depending on your contextual situation; include annual implementation plans and 90-day action plans with priorities, goals and responsibilities. Remember you can complete goals within an earlier time span or push out to a longer time frame if required, always focusing on what is most important (not urgent!).
- Utilize focus groups to provide consultation with the school community, including student voice, to ensure community ownership.
- Share the completed strategic plan with the school community and embed it into the life of the school.
If you would like to read more on future-focused strategic planning click here or contact me here if you would like some assistance with your school’s next strategic plan.
Maxine Driscoll
