Lean Six Sigma and its application within UK Primary Schools.

Abstract

This study looks to see how the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Methodology, tools and techniques can be used within a primary school environment to support the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in a case study school.

LSS’s application within a primary school environment is a new area of research and therefore its relevance and benefits of use within this environment are drawn from studies of the wider field of LSS implementation beginning with manufacturing and its evolution into the service industry.

The main themes drawn from the literature are the need for organisational readiness for change, an awareness of the challenges and barriers surrounding initial LSS implementation and an understanding of the critical success factors for the long-term sustainability of LSS implementation.

The case study primary school is located in South Devon (UK). Through the use of observation, unstructured interviews, and a review of the school’s performance and planning documentation areas of improvement are identified. LSS tools and techniques are then considered to address these opportunities and the challenges and practicalities of implementation are identified.

The conclusions drawn from the study are that there are opportunities, particularly within the case study school, to adopt LSS tools and techniques to support the strategic, cultural and performance aspects of the SLTs responsibility. However, in order to achieve this there are barriers and challenges, some unique to the primary school environment that must be overcome or managed in order to make any successful implementation.