Leading School Improvement: Strategies for Effective Change

The success of any school improvement initiative depends on strong leadership. Regardless of a school’s philosophy, curriculum, or teaching approach, the goal remains the same—to enhance student learning. At the heart of this transformation is effective teaching, which thrives when supported by intentional leadership strategies.

At Al Yasat Private School in Abu Dhabi, we have developed a structured approach to leading school improvement that integrates:

• A strategic teaching improvement intent (the goal)
• A leadership approach that drives change
• The use of data to inform decision-making

This framework is supported by a professional learning model called Teacher as Researcher (TAR). This method allows educators to engage in action-based research, helping them reflect on and improve their teaching practices in real-time.

The Teacher as Researcher (TAR) Approach

TAR is an innovative professional learning model that encourages teachers to investigate their own teaching methods and refine their strategies based on evidence. By adopting TAR, educators can:

✅ Identify challenges and opportunities in their classrooms
✅ Use data-driven insights to improve instruction
✅ Collaborate with peers to enhance student learning outcomes

The impact of this teaching improvement model has been recorded in two key publications:

📘 Teachers TEACHing Teachers
📘 School Reform: Case Studies in Teaching Improvement

These works highlight how empowering teachers as researchers leads to sustainable school improvement.

Evaluating the Impact of Teaching Improvement

The learning model guiding this approach was carefully developed and implemented during the 2016/2017 academic year. In 2019/2020, we conducted an evaluation project to measure the impact of this strategy on teaching and student performance.

The results, compiled with contributions from Dr Denis Peters, Dr Asif Padela, Mr Thomas O’Meara, Mrs Reem Rekieh, and Dr Paul Triegaardt, will be published in an upcoming book, set for release in April/May 2020.

This book will serve as a valuable resource for school leaders and educators seeking evidence-based strategies for leading school improvement.

A Guide for School Leaders

For school leaders looking to restructure their schools and drive improvement, this book provides practical insights into:

• Leadership formation and its role in shaping school success
• Strategic decision-making to enhance teaching quality
• Using data to track progress and refine improvement plans

While not all schools will adopt the Al Yasat School Improvement Model, this resource offers a framework for leaders to reflect on their own approaches and identify meaningful ways to improve student learning.

Final Thoughts

Leading school improvement requires a strategic, data-driven approach that empowers teachers and strengthens leadership. Schools that embrace teacher-led research, collaborative learning, and evidence-based decision-making are best positioned to raise student outcomes.

With the right leadership strategies, professional development, and commitment to improvement, schools can create a lasting impact on student success.

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Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field.

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Author: Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field. View all posts by Dr Jake Madden