Alistair Smith is an internationally known consultant, author and trainer. He has spoken to tens of thousands of teachers across the world and has written a number of books including: The Brain's Behind It: New Knowledge about the Brain and Learning, Help Your Child to Succeed: The Essential Guide for Parents and Accelerated Learning: A User's Guide. He is the designated learning consultant to the Football Association. He is also the author of Learning to Learn in Practice (ISBN 9781845902872).
High performers is a fantastic school improvement text for use with
teachers, middle leaders and senior staff in schools. It is a
lively and insightful read. It can be read in one go, or dipped
into. Its layout, in three distinct sections, means that different
parts can be recommended to colleagues with different roles in the
school. The summary lists and recommendations are useful signposts
and reminders of the core messages. I love the metaphor of the
circus troupe that runs throughout. And, importantly, it is a
visually stimulating and uncluttered book!I have recommended this
text to many colleagues. I have used excerpts with Aspiring
Headteachers as a starting point for a discussion about how new
Heads align staff around a core purpose and implement a vision for
the school.I have also designed 2 self-assessment tools, one based
around the middle leader recommendations and one around the senior
leader recommendations, which I have used with Heads of Faculty /
Heads of Year and senior leaders respectively. The exercise gets
colleagues to look at reach recommendation in turn and decide
whether it is high or low impact and whether it is something they
do well or need to work on.I have yet to introduce this book to a
colleague who has not found it insightful, honest and of value in
developing them as a leader and performer.Rachel Macfarlane.
Principal of Isaac Newton Academy (Headteacher of Walthamstow
School For Girls from 2004-2011). Project Director of London
Leadership StrategyAaas Good to Great (G2G)and Going for Great
(G4G) programmes.
High performers is a no nonsense, unapologetic plunge into what
great success looks like. Using the brilliant metaphor of high wire
performance Alistair Smith takes us into 15 extraordinary schools
and shows us how leaders inspire, what high performing teachers do,
and how middle managers support `the human pyramid`. Every few
pages, powerful, practical `recommendations for leaders` are
offered. An unusual and uplifting book.Michael Fullan, Professor
Emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto
`Alistair Smith visited 20 of the top performing state schools to
investigate `what makes them successful?` He asked the same
questions in each school and in High Performers he shares the
findings. His style is lucid and pleasing; his findings reasoned
and cogent. I commend the book to school leaders and classroom
practitioners. It gives persuasive evidence-based guidance on why
some of the best have succeeded. It focuses on core purpose,
student outcomes, learner engagement, classroom teaching, roles and
responsibilities, professional development, managing data and the
school as a community. High Performers is an easily read and
impressively practical `how to` guide full of `tips` that draw on
original research.`Vanni Treves, Chairman of Governing Council,
National College for School Leadership
`I have never read a school improvement book like this. Almost
every page has some small vivid, persuasive and compelling example
of good practice drawn from the classroom or the department or the
senior leadership team itself. Every one is authentic, as it would
be with Alistair Smith as author. Generations of teachers and
school leaders have known him as an inspirational speaker and
workshop leader. Here he shows an enviable skill as a writer. It is
written at a time when money is going to be tight but ideally every
teacher should have their own copy. Even in such straightened times
a copy for each newly qualified teacher and freshly appointed heads
of department or subject leader would be money well spent by all
schools. The beauty of this book is that it brings within your
certain grasp what appeared just out of your professional
reach.`Sir Tim Brighouse, Visiting Professor at Institute of
Education
Alistair Smith has been described as athe UK's leading trainer in
modern learning methodsa. His latest book is meant as a practical
ahow toa guide but with an emphasis on giving advice to all levels
of teaching staff - from classroom practitioners to senior leaders.
Its aim is to teach you how to succeed - individually and as a
team. In theory, it should show readers how to make their schools
high-performing and successful, based on the 20 top performers that
Mr Smith visited and studied to produce this guide. Most will
appreciate his articulate and intelligent approach to self-
improvement. Indeed, many teachers and headteachers will already be
familiar with the author as an inspirational speaker with none of
the usual amagic formulasa, but rather a genuinely insightful take
on what outstanding schools, their leaders and teachers actually
practice and preach. In the introduction, there is a simple
comparison of leadership to a famous team of successful ahigh
wiresa which sets the tone for Smith's clear and practical analysis
throughout the book. This study is informative, concise and covers
a range of thoroughly explained examples of what successful schools
do to become high performers. Yet, to use a footballing analogy,
anyone could tell you why, for example, David Beckham is an
excellent footballer. They could point out what his skills are,
what he achieves with them and when he delivers them. But to become
like Beckham, you would need to know ahowa he learnt his skills and
what steps he took to become such a talented footballer. Indeed, a
lack of focus on the ahowa may be a gap in this otherwise extremely
thought- provoking study. Nevertheless, the 10x10 project, which
Smith conceived and undertook and which he outlines at the end of
the book, does offer detailed descriptions of the practice in these
high-performing schools and attempts to explain how this
contributes to their success. Indeed, it is this section in
particular that makes the book a worthwhile read for anyone
involved in educational leadership. Smith has a proven track record
of success, established over a number of years, and his latest book
should not be consigned to the bookshelf of unread self-help
guides. On the contrary, this clear and accessible guide may help
to inspire excellence in the places where it is needed most.Trevor
Averre-Beeson, TES Magazine
Alistair Smith has set out to distil the practice of 20 high
performing schools - and comes up trumps. The result is a highly
readable book full of valuable practical advice. His lists of
`recommendations` for heads, teachers and middle leaders has the
potential to inform, enliven and enrich many a discussion or
training workshop. Reading this book is the first step for all
those committed to school improvement - but I strongly suspect that
it is the discussion that it provokes that will impact at both the
individual and school level.Sir Dexter Hutt, Chief Executive
Ninestiles Plus and Executive Leader Hastings Federatio
Alistair Smith has written several highly readable books for
teachers and parents. On this occasion he worked with the
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust to identify 20 outstanding
secondary schools in England. Multiple criteria were used to make
the selection and these hold up well under critical scrutiny. Five
of the 20 schools were aourlier' schools in that they perform at an
exceptionally high level or had made dramatic improvement, or were
highly innovative. Smith uses a technique that will be appreciated.
Rather rhan one-at-a-time case studies with an overarching
synthesis, which can make tedious reading, each chapter is a
synthesis of what he found, grouped around different themes. He
uses the image of The Flying Wa llendas highwite performers as an
integrating device, which may be entirely appropriate given the
current nature of school leadership. Smith acknowledges the
limitations of his research in which he was the only interviewer at
each school. He asked the same 10 questions to leadership teams,
middle managers and classroom teachers. The findings are summarised
in 10 areas related to core purposes: student outcomes; student
learning; classroom learning; curriculum offerings; professional
development; staff roles, responsibilities and profile; the school
as a community; engagement with parents and carers; and engagement
with the wider community. He provides recommendations for school
leaders, middle managers and teachers. The outcome is a book whose
every page is packed with helpful tips, useful guidelines and a
range of tactics and strategies. As those who endorsed the book
point out, one can pick up the book and open any page to find
something worthwhile, with illustrations from several of the
outstanding schools Smith visited. I found it difficult but also
unnecessary to attempt to read it from start to fin ish. I cou ld
find nothing in the book that was less applicable in Australia than
England, except for the occasional reference to Ofsted (Office for
Standards in Education) and preparing for Ofsted inspections. The
general nature of the recommendations is illustrated in Chapter 2,
aThe first 10 steps.' For leaders Smith recommends that they should
recognise that the journey to high performance may take five to
seven years, and plan accordingly; ensure the leadership team is
visible and has a strong apresence' around the school; obtain quick
wins and initiate important slow fixes; secure a framework for
discipline and standards, and strive for consistency of response to
incidents from all staff; insist on lessons which engage, have
pace, structure and challenge; ask hard questions about what's on
offer in the curriculum; build a sense of community through shared
successes, symbolic moments and interventions; let staff know that
if they do their best for students, you will support them, provided
their best is good enough and, if not, you will act; get on top of
the data, tighten monitoring and accountability and be open and
honest to take staff with you; start to build productive
partnerships but focus down to the 20 per cent which will give you
the 80 per cent return; and build a safe environment with strong
school values where students and staff can focus on and enjoy
learning. High Performers: The secrets of successful schools
appears at first sight to be fragmented but there is coherence. The
findings are consistent with resea rch. There is a healthy
scepticism to fads in curriculum and pedagogy. I agree with Tim
Brighouse's observation: aThe beauty of this book is that it brings
within your certain grasp what appeared just out of your
professional reach.Brian J Caldwell
Every school leader will find a host of ideas in this gem of a
book, which is packed with practical suggestions that are being
used in outstandingly led schools. The 93 recommendations - in
separate sections for school leaders, middle managers and teachers
- are a great resource for staff at all levels. Thoroughly
researched and clearly presented, the book is an invaluable volume
of excellent practice, which can be used in many different ways for
professional development. Every leadership team, middle management
meeting and staff training day should focus on learning and this
book will be a stimulus to improvement, whatever the starting
point. Every teacher and school leader will find in this book
enough nuggets of wisdom to create a gold mine of good practice.
The focus of the book is on great learning and it contains numerous
examples of how it can be stimulated through great leadership and
great teaching.John Dunford, Chair of Whole Education and Chair of
WorldWide Volunteering
I was once told that the more power you gave away the more power
you had. If I had read this book earlier I would have understood
the concept more fully. This easy-to-read book gets to the heart of
distributed leadership. It creates a model which will help everyone
within a school to understand its own unique core purpose and
ensure that they feel empowered and accountable for delivering it.
Whilst it will provide a brilliant `big picture` guide for a new
head it can be used as a service manual for experienced heads who
are seeking to fine tune their leadership.Will Ryan, Assistant Head
of School Effectiveness Rotherham Borough Council, Education
Consultant and Author
In 25 years of involvement in education as a teacher, middle
manager, senior manager and consultant this is easily the most
readable and useful book I have come across. Alistair''s knowledge
and obvious enthusiasm for the subject, supported by the most
current academic research and illustrated by a host of real life
examples and case studies is truly informative and full of ''take
action tips'' for immediate use. Andy McCann, Consultant and
trainer
Praise for High Performers Building success is a personal as well
as professional challenge. Alistair Smith manages to get up close
and personal in delving into the professional journeys of some
successful schools. He goes past the formulaic approaches, the
templates for action and sets out a series of challenges for school
leaders and their teams to ask themselves. The touchstone is a set
of schools which are recognised as successful; most importantly by
the pupils within them. Because the book is not formulaic, it is
one to dip into as a means of exploring your own school. Every
section of the book bristles with the sort of reflection that
touches nerves while at the same time offering balm. The balm is
the management suggestions that prompt a `we could do that`
outlook. The suggestions promote incisive, swift, modern and
demanding but enjoyable approaches to leadership. Alistair Smith
leaves the reader professionally aware and personally motivated.
Leadership can make a massive difference and young peoples` lives
benefit when it does.Mick Waters, Professor of Education at
Wolverhampton University, President of the Curriculum
Foundation
The high performing school is an elusive phenomenon. We all know
that it exists but actually identifying its component parts in a
way that enables understanding and action is rare. This is what
Alistair Smith has achieved in High Performers. This resource
provides detailed and systematic guidance in how high performance
actually works. Firmly based in current practice this book is both
a reference work and a source of inspiration. It is challenging and
practical and will be of real value to leadership teams planning
their way forward..John West-Burnham, Professor of Educational
Leadership, St Mary`s University College
This excellent book, organised and written in a lively and engaging
style, explains how schools can become high performing in all
aspects of their work, based upon case studies, practice and
extensive research. It is structured around the concepts of leaders
improving, teachers performing and managers supporting with
appropriate recommendations for action. The book is packed with
practical ideas and suggestions and will appeal greatly to school
leaders, classroom practitioners, members of the school community
and all those who work and advise on school improvement..Professor
David Woods CBE, Chief Adviser for London Schools and Principal
National Challenge Adviser
We are using High Performers as the basis for the professional
development of the Senior Leadership team for this Academic year. I
have found the book to be unique and inspirational in a number of
ways. It has such a clear and transparent research base that is so
insightful. It enables you to see and better understand how so many
exceptional schools operate. Alistair uses his understanding,
insight and expertise is point you towards what those factors are
and the main considerations for senior and middle leaders. The
points are often things that are missed on visits to the actual
schools concerned by less discerning eyes and ears. It is an
exceptional example normative research which I also used as a key
article for my MA at St Mary's University.The pithy nature of the
book is ideal for the nature of modern school leadership a it
enables you to dip into in short but deeply challenging ways.All of
the SLT have been significantly challenged and changed as a
result.The examples and anecdotes are highly relevant. The open and
honest contrast between the high performers in the book help enable
the reader to think critically about the research and analysis
presented.The book in itself could easily provide the focus and
development for the all leaders in the school for the next two
years (such is the depth and breadth of the book).If I could afford
to buy a copy for every middle leader at RPHS I would!I believe we
are only starting to tap into all that it provides.Phil Wheatley,
Headteacher, Raynes Park High School
Why am I reviewing a book about successful schools when I work in a
university? (Even though I have also worked in both primary and
secondary schools.) I expected - wrongly - to find this book widely
irrelevant, although of use in Education, and perhaps full of smug
seven ways to self-improve guidance. I found it inspiring.High
Performers focuses on: core purpose, student outcomes, learner
engagement, classroom teaching, roles and responsibilities,
professional development, managing data, and the school as a
community. These are clearly vital areas of interest to
universities, and for that matter colleges and other educational
environments too. Journal of Pedagogic Development Summer 2011
With characteristic wisdom and clarity, Alistair Smith peels back
the layers of some of the country`s top performing schools. What he
reveals isn`t some slick replicable formula, but there are some
overpowering messages of what works - relentless sureness of
purpose, the ability to say no, intolerance of mediocrity and
endless optimism. Smith illuminates the schools he peers into with
wit and humanity. This is no exercise in cheap praise or
hagiography: he describes what he sees, what he`s disappointed in
or surprised by as well as what he admires. That`s what makes the
book such an illuminating, personable read. We look through the
eyes of one of education`s undoubted masters and find ourselves
nourished and enriched by the account of what he sees. As a result,
the seemingly impossible becomes tangibly more possible: without
league table tricks or curricular sleights of hand, we could all
make our schools like these. High Performers is a compelling read.
It`s strongly recommended for current and would-be school leaders,
and also for our political masters who would benefit from this
sharp-eyed, astringent and endlessly uplifting insight into what
great schools do, day in, day out.Geoff Barton, ASCL General
Secretary
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