The application rounds for secondary, special and primary school SIPs are now closed. Details of future application rounds will be published here as soon as they are available.
The following guidance aims to provide step-by-step advice for applicants in order to support them in completing the application process to become a SIP.
The decision regarding an applicant's eligibility for the programme is made on the evidence provided in the application form so it is important that you understand the requirements for the SIP programme so that you complete the form thoroughly and accurately.
For further information about the requirements of the SIP's role, please refer to the detailed job description and person specification in the School Improvement Partner's Brief 
DCSF September 2007 (260kb, 36 pages). This states that SIPs should be able to demonstrate the following:
For secondary accreditation we shall give priority to serving and former headteachers.
You are strongly advised to have all the relevant information to hand before beginning the application form.
1. Completing the application form
The application form has the following areas for completion:
(14kb, 1 page) and secondary schools example (13kb, 1 page) (15kb, 1 page) The pen portrait will be used by local authorities when selecting SIPs and deploying them to their schools. It can be updated when necessary by accredited SIPs .We strongly advise you to complete the pen portrait in Microsoft Word, or similar electronic format, before starting to complete the application form. The pen portrait should be no longer than 300 words or 2,000 characters.
2. Read the SIP application frequently asked questions
Applications for accreditation as a SIP are accepted only via the online application form.
The application form can be accessed only after completion of the registration form. You will also receive an email containing this link if you wish to access the form at a later time. You should save the link by using the 'Add to favourites' list on the application page. We advise you to do this before beginning to complete the form. The form can then be completed in one or more sessions. You may save the form as you complete a section but, once saved, you will no longer be able to edit that section. When you have completed the form you will be able to print a copy before submitting it.
References will be requested automatically by email using the email addresses you have provided. Please provide correct email addresses for both referees.
Your referees will be asked to complete an online reference form. It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees are aware of this, as your application will not be progressed without two appropriate, supportive references.
If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the application closing date, please contact us: sips@ncsl.org.uk
If you experience technical difficulties whilst completing the online application form please contact the helpdesk on 0845 609 0009, 8am–9pm Monday to Friday. Please note that the helpdesk can only provide technical assistance and will not be able to answer questions in relation to the completion of the form. If you have questions that you would like answering before starting to complete the form, these can be sent to sips@ncsl.org.uk.
Eligibility as a school improvement partner is determined in accordance with the job description set out in the School Improvement Partner's Brief. For further information about the requirements of the SIP's role, please refer to the detailed job description and person specification in the School Improvement Partners' Brief 
DCSF September 2007 (260kb, 36 pages). This states that SIPs should be able to demonstrate the following:
Applicants will be eligible as a school improvement partner for special schools if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
We are seeking to accredit in the region of 400 SIPs for special schools across the country. Over the next year a limited number of places will be available on residential programmes.
In order to select people who have the necessary skills and expertise as defined in the School Improvement Partner's Brief, we are also asking applicants to give details of their achievements and expertise in the context of a special school in relation to the following.
We shall also ask you to give details of significant aspects of your continuing professional development in relation to special schools over the last three years. These questions are designed to elicit your understanding of the role of school improvement partner in the context of a special school. It is important that you respond to them fully as we are scoring the information provided to help us decide on your suitability to become a school improvement partner. If you are a serving headteacher, you may provide an example set in the context of your own school.
Applications will also be assessed in relation to the match to the geographical spread required for the national rollout of the special school SIPs programme.
You are strongly advised to have all the relevant information to hand before commencing the application form process. The application form has the following areas for completion:
(13kb, 1 page) (15kb, 1 page)Applications for accreditation as a SIP are accepted via the online application form, although in exceptional circumstances a hard copy can be arranged.
The application form can be accessed initially only via the link sent to you by email when you have completed the self-assessment. You should save this by using the 'Add to favourites' list on the application page. We advise you to do this before beginning to complete the form. The form can then be completed in one or more sessions. You may save the form as you complete a section but, once saved, you will no longer be able to edit that section. When you have completed the form you will be able to print a copy before submitting it.
References will be requested automatically by email using the email addresses you have provided. It is essential that you provide correct email addresses for both referees.
Your referees will be asked to complete an online reference form. It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees are aware of this, as your application will not be progressed without two appropriate, supportive references.
If you are found eligible and are selected for the programme, you should have received an email confirming available programme dates and asking you to complete a proforma with your preferred event choice. If you have not received this email, please contact sips@ncsl.org.uk.
If you experience technical difficulties whilst completing the online application form please contact the helpdesk on 0845 609 0009, 8am-9pm, Monday to Friday. Please note that the helpdesk can only provide technical assistance and will not be able to answer questions in relation to the completion of the form. If you have questions that you would like answering before starting to complete the form, these can be sent to sips@ncsl.org.uk.
find us | press office | vacancies | conference centre | about this site | legal | site map
© National College for School Leadership
