How to evaluate and approve the trust improvement plan

Your trust board should review the trust improvement plan (TIP) regularly. Understand the process, what to look out for and what questions to ask.

Last reviewed on 11 July 2025
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 45447
Contents
  1. How is the draft TIP created?
  2. Set an agenda item to approve the TIP
  3. Review the draft before the meeting
  4. Interrogate the TIP
  5. Approve the TIP

How is the draft TIP created?

At the beginning of the autumn term, your board should meet with the CEO and senior trust executives to look at:

  • Performance data for the schools in the trust
  • Financial data
  • Results of staff, parent/carer and pupil surveys for schools in the trust
  • The previous TIP, including its outcomes and impact
  • The trust self-evaluation document
  • Ofsted inspection reports for schools in the trust

Your board should set the objectives for the TIP at this meeting.

After this, the CEO and the senior trust executives will write the TIP. It should include detailed plans for:

  • What specific actions are required to meet the objectives
  • When those actions will be carried out
  • Who is responsible for each action
  • How progress will be monitored
  • What success will look like
  • How success will be measured

There’s no formal requirement for your board to approve the TIP, but it’s best practice