1. Head teacher Performance Management
A briefing for Governing Bodies 2012
Martin Lawrence - Leadership and Governance Team
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2. Session Objectives
The governing body’s strategic role in managing teacher performance in schools including head teacher appraisal
Why it is important for your school
The 2012 Appraisal Regulations
The key players and when they are involved

3. Objectives continued Preparing for the HT Appraisal meeting
Data available to support governors
Reviewing overall performance
The Teachers’ Standards and their application in Head teacher Appraisal
Setting objectives
Monitoring and Interim Reviews

4. Head teacher appraisal is
The formal annual assessment of the overall performance of the head teacher, in the context of their job description, objectives set, against the Teachers’ Standards, pay progression criteria and their professional development needs

5. The statutory duties of the governing body: your school’s appraisal policy
Adopt a document that sets out the appraisal process for teachers
Make that document available to teachers
Determine the appraisal period that applies to teachers
Ensure that the head teacher carries out their duties in respect of appraising other teachers

6. Governing bodies will also want to:
Ensure that the appraisal policy is being implemented effectively and fairly
Ensure that appraisal evidence informs other decisions eg on professional development and pay
Keep the policy under review and amend it as necessary

7. Appraisal is a key driver of school improvement ....
Effective governance is demonstrated by “how well governors use performance management systems, including the performance management of the head teacher, to improve teaching and leadership and management”, impacting upon the quality of outcomes for all pupils
Ofsted September 2012

8. Head teacher appraisal and the role of the governing body
Governors ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Governors contribute to the school’s self-evaluation and understand its strengths and weaknesses
Governors provide challenge and hold the head teacher to account for improving the quality of teaching, pupils’ achievement, behaviour and safety

9. Headteacher Performance Management Cycle
Monitoring & Supporting
Monitoring of performance throughout the cycle
Provision of agreed support
Evidence collection
Ongoing professional dialogue
Planning
Objectives set
Performance criteria and evidence required agreed
Timescales set including any interim reviews
Appraisal Review
Overall assessment of Headteacher’s performance against the performance criteria and the teachers’ standards.
Assessment of development and training needs of the Headteacher.
Recommendations for pay progression made for eligible headteachers

10. What the 2012 regulations say…
The governing body of a school must appoint an external adviser for the purposes of providing it with advice and support in relation to the appraisal of the head teacher.
The governing body must consult the external adviser in appraising a head teacher’s performance
The governing body must consult the external adviser in setting objectives for a head teacher

11. Head teacher appraisal will consist of...
Formal annual assessment of a head teacher’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards
Formal annual assessment of a head teacher’s performance against their objectives

12. The role of the external adviser
Advise governors on the current performance of the school (including considering the Local Authority Evaluation Report)
Advise governors on their judgements about the meeting of the objectives from the previous cycle
Advise governors on the setting of the objectives for the coming cycle

13. The role of the performance management governors
Ensure that the delegated group are properly briefed and prepared
Appoint the external adviser to provide advice and support
Inform the head teacher of the standards against which they will be assessed in the coming cycle
Assess the head teacher against the objectives set last year

14. The role of the PM governors (2)
Assess head teacher overall performance
Consider the head teacher’s professional development needs
Give the head teacher a written report of their appraisal, outlining judgements made
Make a recommendation on pay, where relevant, and include this in the written statement
Set objectives for the head teacher for the coming cycle
Provide the head teacher with a Statement of Objectives
Arrange Monitoring and Interim Reviews

15. The External Adviser preparing for the HT Appraisal meeting
Arrange with the lead governor a suitable date and time for the HT appraisal meeting
Ask for the objectives from the previous cycle and information about interim reviews
Consult the IER and any other school evidence
Request the head teacher to forward any self-evaluation evidence

16. Time-table for the school visit
Allow at least 30 minutes for the discussion between the head teacher and the external adviser
Allow at least 30 minutes for the discussion between the governors and the external adviser
Allow at least 1 hour for the appraisal meeting, covering the review of the head teacher’s overall performance, professional development needs and the setting of objectives for the coming year. NB Drafting time

17. Preparing for the Appraisal Meeting at the school
The External Adviser meets with the head teacher to discuss their self-evaluation of their overall performance and against the achievement of objectives set last year. Discuss CPD needs. Discuss the Teachers’ Standards to be assessed and the objectives for the coming cycle. The objectives must contribute to:
Improving the education of pupils at the school
The implementation of any plan of the governing body designed to improve the school’s educational provision and performance

18. Preparing for the HT Appraisal Meeting at the school (2)
The external adviser meets with the representatives of the governing body to clarify judgements about the achievement of the objectives set last year and overall performance, the Teachers’ Standards to be assessed in the coming cycle and help to shape the objectives for the coming cycle. Remind governors about the head teacher’s professional development needs.
Identify who will chair the head teacher appraisal meeting and who will take notes.

19. The External Adviser supporting the HT Appraisal meeting
Assist the conduct of the meeting to be constructive and professional
Clarify assessment about the objectives set last year and overall performance, using the head teacher’s evidence
Help to support the governors’ dialogue about the head teacher’s professional development needs
Clarify the Teacher’s Standards to be assessed next year.
Shape the objectives for the coming year
Offer to draft the Appraisal judgements and the Statement of Objectives

20. How do you know how well the school is doing?
The School’s Performance
Raise –on-Line
Inspection Report
Benchmarking data
Pupil, parent, staff and other surveys
School
self-evaluation, including observations of teaching and learning
Internal tracking procedures
Value added information
Individual target setting and education plans
Head teachers report
External quality standards (11P, Curriculum Awards, Charter Mark etc.)
Non-statutory test results
Progress on
School Development Plan
Statutory Test Results

21. The Teacher standards
1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
4. Plan and teach well structured lessons
5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment
7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
For governors with the help of the external adviser to determine what successful performance against these will look like.

22. Making a judgement against the teaching standards
Achievement
1 – high expectations
2 - good progress and outcomes
Teaching and learning
3 – curriculum knowledge
4 - planning and teaching
5- adapt teaching
6- productive assessment
Behaviour and Safety
7 – manage behaviour
Leadership and Management
8 – wider responsibilities

23. Reviewing performance
Ask open questions
Be positive and encourage a climate of trust
Allow the head teacher to provide evidence
Consider whether objectives have been achieved
Consider overall performance
Consider the professional needs of the HT
Consider issues of work life balance

24. Why do we have objectives?
They focus on the priorities of the school
The objectives promote positive action for school improvement
They encourage the use of targets and clear success criteria
They offer identifiable achievements
They offer the opportunity to celebrate

25. Objectives need to be: Specific – without ambiguity Measurable
Achievable but challenging
Realistic
Time related – use of milestones

26. Head teacher CPD What are the identified development needs?
Are there issues about their work life balance and well being?
Are there issues about any potential change to the current model of leadership during the coming cycle?
Are there any issues concerning succession planning?

27. Good Luck and ask for help if you need it?
If you need help?
We can help you access an external adviser