SWOT analysis for schools, teachers and education |colleges|universities

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threads in an educational environment.

A SWOT analysis for schools is a tool that can provide prompts to the governors, management teachers and staff involved in the analysis of what is effective and less effective in the schools systems and procedures, in preparation for a plan of some form ( that could be an audit, assessments, quality checks etc.). In fact a SWOT can be used for any planning or analysis activity which could impact future finance, planning and management decisions. It can enable you (the governors and management) to carry out a more comprehensive analysis.

Definitions

Strengths – Factors that are likely to have a positive effect on (or be an enabler to) achieving the school’s objectives
Weaknesses – Factors that are likely to have a negative effect on (or be a barrier to) achieving the school’s objectives
Opportunities – External Factors that are likely to have a positive effect on achieving or exceeding the school’s objectives, or goals not previously considered
Threats – External Factors and conditions that are likely to have a negative effect on achieving the school’s objectives, or making the the objective redundant or un-achievable.
Before starting any planning or analysis process you need to have a clear and SMART goal or objective. What is it that you need to achieve or solve? Ensure that all key stakeholders (relevant to the issue being explored) buy into this objective or goal.

Then undertake a PESTLE analysis (or PESTLE in Schools), this will provide you with the external factors (OT).

Use the PRIMO-F model to ensure all internal factors are considered



Conducting a SWOT analysis for schools |colleges|universities

One of the most effective ways to conduct a SWOT analysis for schools is not to do it in isolation, but with a team effort. When the goal is shared, then a brainstorming session can be run.

Ensure than when running such a session it is facilitated by a person not involved with the content – this is best with an independent person. If budgets do not allow this – then talk to another establishments head, and arrange a contra deal.

Do this activity in a number of phases:

1) Share the goal

2) Data collection (no filtering or comments – record verbatim) consider all areas of PRIMO-F

3) Take a break of at least 1 hr

4) Filter, sort and analyse into the 4 areas – SWOT – be critical and SMART avoid ambiguous statements or ideas at this stage

5) Prioritise the elements

Have a second session where the planning phase takes this data and puts it into a realistic plan.



IMPORTANT TIP for SWOT analysis in schools, |colleges|universities

Do not hide or underestimate threats or weaknesses – if you ignore them or underplay them now they will come back to haunt you at some stage – probably when they can do most damage!

The goal of any session like this is not necessarily to neutralise any weakness or threat – that is impossible – but to have it on your radar – and where possible take avoiding action. To some extent it is all about risk.



What sort of tasks and issues can a SWOT analysis for Schools be used for?

At its most complex and comprehensive, it can be used for business planning, however it is also of value to solving localised issues and challenges.



An Example of a SWOT analysis for schools |colleges|universities

We will use an example of a teacher working within a first school who want to improve the relationships with parents of his pupils.

TASK
Define the goal and measurable outcomes – i.e. to have more than 50% of parents spending one day in class per term
Consider the current activities you have in place to encourage parent-partnerships within your class/ school.
Complete a SWOT analysis, identifying your current strengths and realistically appraising your current weaknesses. This can only be done involving other teachers, pupils and parents.
From the current analysis identify factors which could be improved
Identify opportunities that could be created
Put a plan and set of measures in place.
The school identified the following objective:

To improve parent-partnership by encouraging parents to visit the school and become active members of the community.
Outcome – to have more than 50% of parents spending one day in class per term
Currently, the school holds an open day once each year. It uses this as a way to encourage parents to visit the school and engage with school staff. The following is the initial SWOT Analysis for schools.

Strengths
Highly-skilled teachers.
History of successful Open day events
School has a strong ethos of openness, sharing and commitment to increasing parental confidence
Parents wanting to get involved
PTA willing to participate
Weaknesses
Teachers not available to meet parents often enough
Current open days events not increasing voluntary activity
Not enough staff time to plan more events
Staff not clear of their role in the parent relationship
Narrow focus on open events not partnership activities
Curriculum too stretched for additional activity
Opportunities
Active volunteer committee willing to plan and organise events
Pupils active in the school’s Pupil Participation Project can be asked for their opinions and suggestions.
Head Teacher is willing flex curriculum to free up teacher time
Use parents to contribute to curriculum delivery
Threats
Confidentiality is at risk
Pupil coercion to do things th