How do I set up a multi-year improvement plan in iP Suite?

Add Priorities

• Open the Improvement Plan.

• Click the Cog icon to open the settings.

• Scroll to the Lists section.

• Select Priorities.

• Click Add Item.

Complete the following information:

• Title – Enter the name of the priority.

• Start Date – When the priority begins.

• End Date – When the priority is expected to finish.

The end date should reflect the overall duration of the priority. For example, if your strategic plan spans 2, 5 or 10 years, set the end date accordingly.

Important: The Priority end date must be later than the end date of every Objective and Activity associated with it.

• Click Add to save the Priority.

• Repeat this process until all strategic priorities have been created before moving on to Objectives.

Add Objectives

• Select Add Objective.

By default, the Objective start and end dates are set to the current academic year. These can be amended to match the timeframe of the Priority.

Example 1 – Immediate Objective

If work begins immediately and will take two years to complete:

• Start Date: Current date (or the Priority start date)

• End Date: Two years from the start date

Example 2 – Future Objective

If work is planned to begin in the next academic year:

• Start Date: Beginning of the next academic year

• End Date: The date you expect the Objective to be completed

All Objective dates must fall within the date range of the associated Priority.

Whole School Objectives

If an Objective applies across multiple departments or subjects, it is recommended that you:

• Assign the Department as Whole School.

• Provide the relevant staff with access to add Activities.

This avoids creating duplicate Objectives for different departments while allowing each department to contribute its own Activities.

Add Activities

Before saving the Objective, select the Activities tab.

Click Add Activity to create the actions required to achieve the Objective.

Each Activity should include appropriate:

• Title

• Start Date

• End Date

• Responsibility (where applicable)

Activities can:

• Start immediately.

• Begin later during the Objective period.

• Run for different lengths of time, provided they fall within the Objective dates.

Once all required Activities have been added, save the Objective.

Adding Activities Later

Activities do not all need to be created at the beginning of the Objective.

Staff who have permission to edit the Objective can continue to add Activities throughout the lifetime of the Objective as new actions are identified.

This provides flexibility while maintaining a single strategic Objective over several academic years.

Example Structure

Priority (5 Years)

Improve the Quality of Teaching and Learning

Year 1 Objective

Review and redesign the curriculum across all subject areas.

Activities:

• Review existing curriculum documentation.

• Consult subject leaders.

• Deliver curriculum planning workshops.

Year 2 Objective

Embed the revised curriculum across the school.

Activities:

• Monitor lesson delivery.

• Provide coaching and CPD.

• Review pupil outcomes.

Year 3 Objective

Evaluate curriculum impact and refine practice.

Activities:

• Analyse assessment data.

• Gather pupil and staff feedback.

• Update curriculum plans where required.

Benefits of a Multi-Year Improvement Plan

Using a multi-year Improvement Plan enables schools to:

• Maintain a clear long-term strategic direction.

• Break ambitious goals into manageable stages.

• Align improvement work with school development priorities.

• Monitor progress over several academic years.

• Reduce duplication of Objectives across departments.

• Add Activities as priorities evolve.

• Demonstrate sustained improvement and impact through ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

By separating long-term Priorities from shorter-term Objectives and Activities, schools can maintain strategic continuity while retaining the flexibility to respond to emerging needs and opportunities.