A thorough examination of the characteristics of a high- performing school, this book is written by Sir Cyril Taylor (Chairman of the Specialist Schools Trust) and Conor Ryan (a former adviser at the DfES to David Blunkett). It draws on numerous case studies of successful schools, as well as showing how previously failing schools have been turned around. Looking at such areas as leadership, staffing, target-setting, discipline and order, curriculum innovation and individual learning, the book offers a blueprint to headteachers and others trying to develop excellent schools.