BEING BRAVE Making the move to ungraded lesson observations
Dec 22, 2015
Where we were 2011
3 Successful years of unannounced, ungraded lesson observations to
Where we are now 2015
BEFORE YOU START TO DEFINE YOUR PROCESS:
identify all your stakeholders needs/barriersdesign your process around these
STAKEHOLDER NEEDS AND BARRIERS
Teachers/Unions Unannounced aspect Lack of grade Performance management link
Observation Team Numbers of trained observers Identifying when to re-observe In depth training on any new
process
Senior Leaders and Governors: Evidencing the quality of teaching
learning and assessment (TLA)across College
Effectively linking the quality of TLA to performance management
Impact if inspected Will the new process lead to
improvements
Ofsted: Is the process robust Is the process standardised Do observers make appropriate
judgements Is the process leading to
improvements in TLA
STAKEHOLDER NEEDS AND BARRIERS
REMOVING BARRIERS
Pilot Be fully committed and have an excellent rationale Be clear about your expectations of teaching, learning and
assessment and build your observation process around them Create a measurable process Be transparent
REMOVING BARRIERS
Focus on good practice, but be clear on how anything that does not meet expectations will be handled
Assure in depth standardisation Include moderation Minimise the unannounced impact – as far as possible Minimise paperwork for teachers – active scheme of work
WAKEFIELD COLLEGE PROCESS
Completely unannounced and ungraded Aims to observe all teachers Written around the 9 College Standards for Teaching, Learning
and Assessment Team of 27 observers Caseloads issued half termly to each observer, to be completed
following half term Quality and Learning Improvement Department records and
monitors completion
WAKEFIELD COLLEGE PROCESS
Database qualitatively records and enables anytime reporting on, good practice, poor practice and next steps for improvement from a range of perspectives
Anonymous data analysis tool quantatively records, and enables anytime reporting on, the quality of TLA from a range of perspectives
WAKEFIELD COLLEGE PROCESS
Observation reports are in-depth with comments made against each of the College standards
Post observation discussion is, richer, more two-way and is no longer hampered by only hearing the grade
Reports highlight excellent practice for sharing, next steps for improvement and any poor practice requiring a development plan
Observation outcomes are revisited at post observation meetings with managers, and appraisal explores post observation actions - both sharing of good practice and next steps development
WAKEFIELD COLLEGE PROCESS Teachers are required to self-assess against our Standards for
Teaching, Learning and Assessment post observation Senior Moderators’ group moderates all aspects of the process Every meeting of the observation team includes a
standardisation exercise
IN PROCESS HURDLES Changing mind-set Report writing Standardisation Caseload completion Teachers’ stress Feedback – what grade? Active scheme Sharing good practice post observation Link to performance management
QUESTIONS?
If you want more information about the Wakefield College unannounced, ungraded lesson observation process please email or ring Janet Walker
Tel: 01924 789261Email: [email protected]