BEING BRAVEMaking the move to ungraded lesson observations

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: j.walker@wakefield.ac.uk