: Looking beyond the Launch – How to sustain implementation Looking beyond the Launch – How to sustain implementation

‘Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’. 

That is a definition of insanity widely (though apparently inaccurately) attributed to Albert Einstein. When it came to implementing change within my school setting, this is exactly what I was previously doing. Utilising implementation strategies that we’d used time and time again, sometimes to good effect and other times not as successfully. The biggest challenge that I found was sustaining new initiatives. I’d launch a promising initiative, see a flurry of early activity… and then, slowly, it would fade. That’s why discovering the EEF’s School’s Guide to Implementation – Appendix 1: Table of Implementation Strategies was a turning point in my leadership journey.

Where was I going wrong?

The Table of implementation strategies encouraged me to reflect on the approaches that I’d relied on so heavily in the past.

• Capturing and sharing local knowledge
• Test-driving and piloting approaches
• Changing the physical infrastructure
• Informing local opinion leaders
• Training and empowering implementation leadership
• Drawing on external experts
• Improving implementers’ buy-in

All of these strategies felt pertinent when I had used them, and all can be effective strategies for implementation. However, they all share something – none of these strategies are deemed most relevant for the sustain phase.

Perhaps I’d finally stumbled upon why my implementation of new initiatives never seemed to fully embed into continued practice within my school. I never felt that I’d successfully managed to make change stick, but the Table of implementation strategies has been a game changer.

The Missing Piece: Sustaining Implementation

Before using the EEF’s framework, my approach to implementation was often front-loaded. I invested heavily in planning and launching new initiatives but lacked a structured approach to sustaining them. The result? Staff enthusiasm waned, consistency dropped, and impact was limited.

The Table of Implementation Strategies changed that. At first glance, it looked like a simple checklist. But as I dug deeper, I realised it was a roadmap, one that helped me move from intention to impact with clarity and confidence.

The table breaks down implementation into manageable, evidence-informed strategies. It doesn’t just tell you what to do – it helps you understand how and why. That shift in thinking has been crucial for me.

It helped me see that sustaining change isn’t about working harder – it’s about working smarter, with a clear, evidence-informed plan for long-term success.

What I’ve Learned About Sustaining Change

Here are my takeaways:

• Build in support from the start: The guidance report emphasises the importance of ongoing support – not just initial training. I now plan for regular coaching, peer observations, and time for reflection, which has helped staff embed new practices more deeply.
• Monitor and adapt: Previously, I’d evaluate initiatives at the end – often when it was too late to make timely adjustments. Now, I build in regular review points. This allows me to adapt in real time and keep momentum going or inject added impetus.
• Celebrate and reinforce: Sustaining change also means recognising progress. I’ve started celebrating small wins and sharing success stories across teams. This has boosted morale and reinforced the value of sticking with the change.

Key Takeaway

If you’ve ever struggled to make change stick, I highly recommend engaging with the EEF’s Table of Implementation Strategies. It’s helped me move from ​“start strong, fade fast” to ​“start smart, sustain success”.