Ulverston Victoria High School is pioneering a brand new school review led by its own pupils called Edge Instead. You will no doubt have heard of OFSTED, which is the Government inspection of schools; well Edge Instead trains the pupils themselves to carry out a school-wide professional review including classroom observations, pupil/teacher workshops and a series of questionnaires.

Edge Instead has been developed by the Edge Learner Forum and has already been successfully delivered in London at South Camden Community School and Lewisham College. Edge is an educational foundation dedicated to making practical and vocational learning a route to success for young people 14-25 years old. Chief Executive Andy Powell describes their work in terms of ‘the three P’s – ‘changing perceptions, changing practice, and changing policy’.

The idea of Edge Instead is both simple and radical – allowing students to review their own school, developing student workshops and discussions about the positive aspects of their school, things that could be improved, and what both staff and students can do to help.

Roger Cahalin, Assistant Head Teacher comments; “When I first heard about Edge Instead I thought it was a brilliant idea and that we should develop this work with the Edge Learner Forum and deliver our own school review. The students have been really keen and we have a team of 15 of our students that are have been extensively trained by Edge to manage the whole process. Teaching staff have also embraced the process and I am sure that it will be a resounding success. The results will be published in a report developed by the pupils and presented to the Senior Management Team of the school.”

 The review team will be composed of students from the school, Learner Forum members and students from other schools. UVHS students will be trained to work with them and develop their skills in order to be able to continue as a helpful and constructive presence in the school even after Edge Instead.

The Edge Instead team will easily blend into the school atmosphere, creating an atmosphere where students and teachers can talk openly without worrying about what others may say. It will be non-judgmental, never criticize individuals and focus on making the whole process stress-free for both teachers and students. The results will be honest, impartial and provide practical suggestions for positive change in the school and to further enhance the already excellent relationships between staff and students.