FDS Researches The Key

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) in association with the National College of School Leadership is developing a website called The Key, designed to let school leaders obtain information, advice and guidance to support their roles.

The website, www.usethekey.org.uk was launched at the end of 2007 after a period of extensive data gathering and provides details on areas including policy and legislation, sources of funding, guidelines on best practice and much more.

A study of users during The Key’s initial data gathering stage was conducted by FDS at the end of the last school term, and has shown almost unanimous agreement that it is aiding school leaders in a variety of ways. To date, around 1,200 schools have registered with the free service, with 1,800 school leaders now able to log on.

FDS is carrying out a second stage of research with users of The Key as the pilot progresses, not only to ensure it is still catering for school leaders’ needs, but that it is doing so in the right way. Findings will go some way in deciding whether The Key is to be rolled out nationwide.

A recent article in the Guardian focuses on teachers who have been using The Key. To read the report, please click on the following link:

http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2257736,00.html