1. In order to prepare for 2017, schools should complete their draft School Improvement Plan (SIP) by 17 October 2016. This includes a preliminary review of 2016, preliminary plan of action for 2017 and those aspects of their School Profile that do not refer to academic targets. More importantly this draft will include enrolment plans for 2017.

2. Completion of the draft SIP by this date enables:

  • schools to begin planning for 2017;
  • districts to develop a District Improvement Plan (DIP) that is responsive to the needs and requests of schools; and
  • the province to plan for provisioning related to enrolment numbers.
3. The Academic Performance Improvement Plan and all related academic targets, such as targets for the Annual National Assessments and Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Systemic Evaluations, will be completed in 2017 once test and end of year results are available.

4. The school should sign off on the DRAFT PLAN by 17 October 2016. This is a compliance sign off and signals the start of a period for engagement with the draft plans. The circuit manager will also sign off to confirm the submission of the draft by the due date. Draft plans should then be analysed, enrolment projected and assistance requested if necessary. The circuit managers will give support and advice, if needed, during the course of the 4th term. The system will remain open throughout to allow schools to update and amend their plans as required.

5. The second provisional sign off on the plans by all schools will be by 15 February 2017. By 22 February 2017 the targets in the SIP and in the DIP will be automatically synchronised online and all parties will be placed in a position to sign off on both SIPs and DIPs. By 24 February 2017 the plan, including academic improvement targets, should also have been approved by the governing body. The system will remain open to allow for final changes in consultation with circuit managers and will lock on 28 February 2017 which is the date for final sign off.

6. Summary of dates:

Item Responsible Date
Sign off on draft SIP on CEMIS which includes:

  • Review of 2016
  • Requests for support for 2017
  • Enrolment projections
  • Action Plan
 School in consultation with governing body 17 October 2016
Sign off to confirm that draft SIP concluded by due date Circuit manager 23 October 2016
Revisions to content as required Schools in consultation with circuit manager and governing body Ongoing
Sign off on SIP on CEMIS School and governing body conclude formal sign off on provisional SIP 15 February 2017
Revisions to targets as required Schools in consultation with circuit manager and governing body 15–20 February 2017
SIP targets and DIP targets aligned on CEMIS WCED ensures alignment on system 22 February 2017
Final sign off on SIP on CEMIS School, supported by governing body 24 February 2017
Sign off on concluded SIP Circuit manager 28 February 2017

7. Technical details are as follows:

  • Enrolment figures on the SIP will remain ˇ§liveˇ¨ until a school signs off on its targets by 15 February 2017.
  • At the beginning of 2017, the results of the WCED systemic tests for Grades 3, 6 and 9, and the National Senior Certificate results will be added as they become available.
  • The online SIP for 2017 has been set up to use the PERCENTAGE PASS targeted. Thereafter the corresponding NUMBER of learners will automatically appear in the appropriate column
8. A template for the plan is attached to assist with the preparation of the 2017 SIP.

9. District officials will conduct structured quarterly monitoring (School Improvement Monitoring) at schools in 2017.

10. Any queries will be dealt with by the relevant circuit manager.

11. We thank you for your commitment to quality education.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2016:08:03

Appendix 1: School Improvement Plan 2017/18  (size: 95 KB)
Appendix 2: Feedback to the Teacher / HOD / School / District / Head Office  (size: 79 KB)