A recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Improvement Through Empowerment, calls for a significant shift in how schools approach improvement, placing autonomy, data, and tailored support at the heart of educational change.
At ONVU Learning, we believe this approach aligns strongly with the way our technology supports schools: not through top-down control, but by empowering educators to lead their development journeys.
From Oversight to Ownership
The IPPR report challenges the current system of school improvement, highlighting two key weaknesses:
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Inconsistent support for teachers and schools, particularly in disadvantaged communities
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A lack of meaningful, real-time data to inform and personalise improvement efforts
Rather than a centralised model of inspection and intervention, the report argues for school-led improvement strategies, underpinned by robust evidence, consistent professional development, and systems that respond to each school's unique context.
What This Means for Educators and Leaders
For teachers and teaching assistants, this is a welcome shift toward trust and professionalism. The report advocates for:
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More support for reflective practice
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Access to data that is meaningful and actionable
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Development that is tailored, not generic
For school leaders, it signals the need to embrace autonomy and innovation. Effective leadership in this model is not about command and control, it's about enabling a culture where improvement is continuous and shared.
Technology That Aligns With Empowerment
At ONVU Learning, we’re proud to offer a solution that supports this vision. Our 360-degree video lesson capture technology gives educators:
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Complete control over their footage – Teachers decide what to review and when.
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Objective insights into classroom interactions and learning environments.
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Opportunities for peer collaboration, coaching, and evidence-based CPD.
This isn’t about surveillance—it’s about giving teachers the tools to see their own practice more clearly, learn from it, and grow.
A Shared Responsibility
The IPPR also calls on the government to play its part:
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Invest in professional development as a long-term strategy, not a short-term fix.
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Support evidence-based innovation in schools, with tools that provide real insight.
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Build frameworks of trust, not fear, where accountability grows from self-improvement, not external judgement.
Conclusion: A New Standard for School Improvement
Empowering educators with the tools and trust to lead their own development is not just idealistic—it’s practical, evidence-based, and urgently needed.
With the right data, the right support, and the right mindset, schools can become learning communities for everyone inside them.
🟦 Explore how ONVU Learning can help your school align with this vision of empowered, evidence-informed improvement.
Visit our website or contact our team to learn more.