Picton Public School is located in the community of Picton, just outside of south-west Sydney, serving a middle-class, although changing, socio-economic community. There are approximately 315 students, with a growing number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (currently 7%) and a small number of students with an EALD background. The school has a Support Unit, comprising of two Multicategorical (MC) classes (mostly supporting students with an autism diagnosis) and an Intellectually Moderate (IO) class, for students with an intellectual disability. The school has an increasing FOEI (Family Occupation and Education Index) of 102 and an ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) of 1005. In recent years, the school has undergone significant staffing changes.Picton Public School completed the External Validation process in 2020 and has used the results of this process to drive the Strategic Improvement Plan. A key focus of this plan is the enhancement of data-informed teaching practices, with an emphasis on data skills and use. The staff has recently undergone robust reflection practices using the What Works Best document, to reflect on strengths and areas of development in their teaching practice. Out of this process, it was revealed that the two practices which require the greatest focus across the school is in the areas of 'Use of data to inform practice' and 'Effective feedback'. As a result, a Deputy Principal Instructional Leader (school funded) has been committed to for a four year period, to drive improvement and best practice in this area. This resource will also facilitate multiple models of professional learning to support staff and improve teaching practice, including whole-staff, differentiated and targeted professional learning modes. Throughout 2019-20, the school has had an increased focus on Aboriginal Education. This will continue and expand throughout the new school plan, with the implementation of an Aboriginal Education Specialist Teacher. Picton Public School has always placed a strong emphasis on inclusion, and this will be further developed and enhanced. Along with this, increased opportunities for students to be challenged and to experience success in a wide range of areas will be fostered.
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