Step 3: Using W@S reports and modules to develop an action plan

During Step 3 you can use this information to develop an action plan. Two W@S resources are designed to assist you. These are the:

• W@S Action plan template: This Word Document is designed for schools to adapt. It provides a format to support you to consider goals, actions, resources, and how you will assess change.
• W@S Next step modules: These resources are designed to support schools to plan next steps. Each module offers suggestions for next step activities linked to each W@S aspect.

The first section of the plan encourages you to think about the bigger picture, that is:

• What is your school vision for social and emotional wellbeing?
• What are your main short and longer-term goals? What is the timeframe?
• Do you have related planning and reporting targets?

The action plan template is focused on social and emotional wellbeing, but other aspects of wellbeing could also be included, for example, you could add in goals and activities that relate to physical health and wellbeing (e.g., healthy eating and active lifestyles).

The template encourages evidence-based planning through use of the following prompts:

• What does W@S data and other school evidence say about current practice?
• What does the data suggest are next step goals?
• What activities, programmes, or strategies are we going to use to action these goals?
• Who is leading the activities and who else is involved?
• Are resources allocated?
• What is the timeframe?
• What criteria or data will we use to show we have met our goals?

The modules also promote the idea that effective change processes involve collaboration between school staff, students, parents and whanau, and others. The ideas and initiatives suggested in the modules mostly focus on strategies that can be used across a school for all staff or all students (that is, rather than targeted or small groups).

These key ideas, “ways of working” strategies, and the readings and resources in the modules were selected to reflect key findings and evidence from international and NZ research literature as well as current NZ policy directions.

Use the information you have gained from sharing the W@S data with students, staff, parents and whanau to create a shared vision for change and some short and long term goals. Then, to design next steps relating to these goals, use the W@S modules to provide a starting point for ideas about actions that could build school approaches.

When deciding to adopt new approaches or particular programmes it is important to select a few key approaches to focus on that fit with your school values, current approaches to learning, and other ways of working. It is also important to select approaches that are developmentally appropriate for students at your school.

Reviewing your action plan: Reflection questions

• Is the plan BALANCED?: Does the plan contain a range of actions that cover a range of W@S aspects? (NOTE: An effective plan is multi-faceted and addresses different dimensions of school life.)
• Does the plan assist you to build shared LEADERSHIP and a sense of OWNERSHIP?: Are all stakeholders involved in the process (school leaders, staff, students, parents and whanau, and professional partners)? Are different people given opportunities to lead? Are key school leaders involved?
• Is the plan RESOURCED adequately?: Are enough resources allocated? Is time set aside for meetings and planning? Are professional learning opportunities planned for all (staff, students, parents and whanau)?
• Is the plan SUSTAINABLE?: Are the goals and planned actions realistic and do-able in the timeframes suggested? If key people leave, are there other team members involved in each action?