Page 4 - Mini-Module 11

Foreword

Most school leaders are involved in writing reports. It is not their favourite
occupation, however it must be done. This Mini‐Module looks to provide
basic information about how leaders might go about writing reports.
Reports are written for various reasons. They may explain some work that
you have done in your area. They may give the results of something. They
may explain an investigation which has taken place. They may propose
changes.

There can be at least three main types of reports:
● The Factual Report

● The Analytic Report
● The Recommendation Report

A factual report may examine a problem or give information about a
project. It is factual and the data you are conveying has to be clearly
presented. Progress reports, status reports and research documents all fall
into this category.
An analytic report goes one step further and analyses the data. Formal
student outcomes, for example, may be presented, but then they are
interpreted with explanations of why certain things occurred. The analysis is
very important and should lead to some conclusions. You may even discuss
possible options for future action. A performance appraisal report is also an
example of an analytical report.

A recommendation report provides the answer to the question: ‘What
should we do?’ You may be recommending a policy change or that a new
programme be trialled. There is a host of issues on which
recommendations can be made. The recommendation is the key part of the
report and you are expected to be firm and clear; you do not hedge your
bets. You would not say, for example, ‘The department should consider
replacing a few of the computers if money becomes available.’ It is better
to say: ‘Three new computers should be purchased by the end of March.’
You have to make it clear to the recipient precisely what you want them to
do.

4