A Replicable Model for School Improvement
The One Big Change™ (OBC) Hub Programme is a structured, expert-led school improvement model designed to move beyond one-off CPD and create sustained, systemic change. The model is built on a simple premise: if one school has successfully solved a challenge, other schools should not have to start from scratch.
The programme is currently being delivered in two phases, with the aim of establishing whether this approach is a repeatable and scalable model for school improvement.
The One Big Change™ model originated through a pilot run by LocaeRise in partnership with Samuel Clarke (Canterbury Christ Church University) and a group of headteachers in Kent. The pilot explored a simple question: what happens when schools focus on one clearly defined improvement priority, supported by peer learning and expert guidance, rather than trying to address multiple competing demands at once?
The core elements of the model emerged from those initial conversations:
This foundation has since been developed with five OBC Experts, and the research partnership with the University of Greenwich will help us generate the evidence to validate whether this approach is repeatable and scalable.
At the heart of the programme is the Hub model. Rather than delivering isolated workshops, the OBC Hub Programme creates permanent communities of practice around a shared improvement priority.
Each Hub is centred on a Lead School, which anchors a cohort of 5-10 schools working together on a common challenge. Over a year, these schools move through three workshops, supported by peer learning and expert guidance.
"The Hub model replaces suffering in isolation with learning in community."
Research consistently shows that teachers and school leaders working in isolation experience loneliness, siloed thinking, and a sense that their challenges are unique. The Hub model brings schools together, creating a shared language, a sense of collective purpose, and a network of peer support.
The programme is built around a three-workshop structure, each targeting a different layer of the school community.
| Workshop | Focus | Audience | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop 1 | Foundation and goal setting | Head & Champion | Name the OBC, reframe beliefs, build first solutions |
| Workshop 2 | Implementation and troubleshooting | Middle Leaders | Test, iterate, learn from peers |
| Workshop 3 | Impact measurement and next steps | Teachers & Community | Embed change, gather evidence, plan for sustainability |
By engaging the head and champion first, the programme secures strategic commitment. By involving middle leaders, it ensures practical implementation. By bringing teachers and the community into Workshop 3, it creates the conditions for lasting cultural change.
The programme is being delivered by five experts, each leading a distinct pillar of school improvement.
| Expert | Programme | Pillar | School Type | Key Stages | Location Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette | W.H.O.L.E Programme | Wellbeing & CPD | Primary, Secondary | KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 | Greenwich, Kent, Northampton |
| Adam | Enlightened Leadership | Academic & CPD | Secondary | KS3, KS4 | Greenwich, Kent, Northampton |
| Ciro | Father Engagement Programme | CPD & Community | Secondary | KS3, KS4 | Devon, Wolverhampton |
| Julienne | Inclusive School Programme | Academic & CPD | Secondary | KS3, KS4 | Greenwich, Kent |
The initial pilot phase involves five experts, each working with a cohort of schools. To date, three pilots have been completed, and the remaining two will be completed by September 2026.
| Expert | Schools (Pilot) | Schools (Cohort Phase) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annette | 4 | 5-10 | 9-14 |
| Adam | 2-3 | 5-10 | 7-13 |
| Ciro | 1 | 5-10 | 6-11 |
| Julienne | 0 | 5-10 | 5-10 |
| Total | 7-8 | 20-40 | 27-48 |
Following the pilots, the programme will move into the cohort phase, where each Lead School recruits an additional five to ten schools. This will expand the total sample to approximately 40 to 60 schools across the five expert programmes.
The programme is concentrating its initial reach in five locations.
| Location | Status |
|---|---|
| Greenwich | Primary focus, established LA contact, proximity to University of Greenwich |
| Kent | Origin of the pilot, continued expansion and longitudinal study |
| Devon | Active pilot region |
| Northampton | Active pilot region |
| Wolverhampton | Small cluster |
Greenwich is a primary focus due to an established contact within the local authority and proximity to the University of Greenwich, enabling embedded, longitudinal research.
The partnership with the University of Greenwich will examine:
"Is the OBC Hub Programme a repeatable and scalable model for systemic school improvement?"
The research will explore:
The OBC model offers a different approach to school improvement: focus on one priority, implement it deeply, and sustain it over time.
This could inform major policy decisions, including Ofsted, by encouraging schools to focus on a single improvement priority rather than multiple competing demands.
The three-stage structure builds capacity at every level of the school:
We are currently seeking research partners, schools, and sponsors to support the next phase of the programme.
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