School improvement services

Collaborating for Excellence

As an outstanding school, Ashdene Primary School is proud to share its expertise with other schools through a range of school-to-school partnership and development opportunities.

Ofsted (March 2025) recognised that “there is nothing left to chance at this school” and praised our “diligently designed and skilfully refined curriculum.” Inspectors also noted that “leaders at all levels engage with appropriate educational research when making decisions about the school’s development” and that “high-quality continuous professional development ensures that staff deliver the curriculum effectively.”

Building on this strong track record, Ashdene provides bespoke support for schools seeking to strengthen leadership, curriculum, teaching and learning, and school culture. Our work is grounded in research, delivered with integrity, and shaped by a genuine commitment to helping every school achieve the very best for its pupils.

We bring a wealth of experience in supporting schools across a wide range of contexts. Our experienced team has worked in schools of all sizes — including those serving communities with high levels of deprivation — and we take the time to understand each school’s unique context, challenges, and strengths. Support is always tailored, ensuring it has real impact and builds sustainable capacity. We can provide references on request to demonstrate the positive outcomes our partnerships have achieved.

Curriculum Design and Implementation

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced from the Early Years through to Year 6 and rooted in cognitive science. We provide bespoke consultancy and training on:

• Building a progressive, knowledge-rich curriculum

• Embedding retrieval practice and schema development

• Using assessment and adaptive teaching effectively

• Ensuring curriculum coherence and subject leadership rigour

School Evaluation and Development Planning

Strong self-evaluation and strategic planning are central to sustained excellence. We work alongside leaders and governors to:

• Write clear, evidence-based School Self-Evaluation Forms (SEFs)

• Develop focused and measurable School Development Plans (SDPs)

• Align school priorities with national frameworks and inspection outcomes

• Create practical monitoring systems that drive continuous improvement

Behaviour, Routines and Culture

Ashdene’s most recent Ofsted report described pupils’ behaviour as “exemplary within and outside the classroom” and noted that “the school explicitly teaches pupils how to be confident and resilient learners.”
We help schools strengthen their behaviour culture by:

• Establishing clear routines, expectations and structures

• Developing and implementing a consistent behaviour policy

• Building staff confidence in positive, proactive behaviour management

• Creating calm, purposeful environments where pupils can thrive

Securing Strong Foundations in Learning

Our approach to early education and Key Stage 1 practice is fully aligned with the DfE’s Strong Foundations in the First Years of School (2024) report, which highlights the importance of teaching and practising the essential knowledge and skills that underpin later success.

At Ashdene, we ensure that children gain secure fluency in foundational knowledge through:

• Dedicated time and expert teaching in early reading, writing, and mathematics

• Carefully sequenced learning so teachers know what to prioritise and revisit

• Frequent opportunities for children to practise and embed key knowledge

• Preventing curriculum overload and ensuring fluency before complexity

• Targeted, high-quality teaching for pupils with the lowest starting points

We help other schools strengthen early learning by:

• Auditing and refining EYFS and KS1 provision

• Training staff in systematic synthetic phonics, early composition, and handwriting

• Designing early curricular that build fluency and reduce cognitive overload

• Reviewing implementation and monitoring to ensure equity and consistency

This approach ensures that no child’s learning is left to chance, and that every pupil develops the strong foundations needed for success at Key Stage 2 and beyond.

Preparation for Ofsted Inspection

Having maintained our Outstanding status under the 2025 Ofsted framework, we are well placed to support schools preparing for inspection. We can offer:

• Diagnostic reviews and readiness evaluations

• Guidance on evidence gathering and self-evaluation

Consultancy Services

Ashdene provides full and half-day consultancy services at competitive rates, delivered by experienced leaders who understand the realities of school life.
Each session is tailored to the needs of your setting — from curriculum development and early years improvement to leadership coaching, self-evaluation and governance.
Our consultancy aims to build confidence, clarify next steps and leave schools with practical tools to continue improvement long after our visit.

Headteacher Performance Management

We can facilitate Headteacher Performance Management for governing bodies, ensuring a rigorous, supportive and developmental process.
We provide:

• Independent facilitation of performance management meetings

• Support in setting clear, measurable objectives

• Guidance on professional development and leadership growth

• Alignment of headteacher goals with the school’s strategic priorities

Visits to See Excellence in Practice

We warmly welcome colleagues from other schools to visit Ashdene and see our excellence in action. Visits can include:

• Learning walks focused on curriculum design and pedagogy

• Discussions with senior and subject leaders

• Observing routines, expectations, and culture across the school

• Opportunities to explore how our motto — “Excellence: everyone, everywhere, every day” — is lived out in practice

Ashdene has “embraced a culture of continual reflection and improvement” and is described by Ofsted as a school where “staff feel valued and supported” and “governors share the school’s high expectations.”

We are proud to extend this ethos beyond our own community to help other schools achieve excellence — everyone, everywhere, every day.

For further information, to discuss tailored support, or to arrange a visit, please contact:
📧 admin@ashdene.cheshire.sch.uk