Appraisal Aide memoire for headteachers 2014/15

July 2014 / Yes / Notes/ need to develop
Reflections
  • Building on from your previous appraisal systems, have you identified sufficient appraisers for the coming year?

  • Were there any aspects of your evaluation of the effectiveness of your appraisers from previous years that you would like or need to amend?

  • How many of your appraisers are new, and how many are experienced, and what plans have you in place for addressing their varied needs?

  • Are they all familiar with the new appraisal regulations and in particular,the linking of targets to pay progression?

  • Are your appraisers able to challenge and support effectively?

  • Are they able to objectively review a range of evidence including pupil progress data?

  • How will your training for appraisers ensure consistency and rigour of targets set and decisions made around meeting targets and deciding on pay progression?

  • Using the teachers standards (and the exemplification grid where appropriate), have you discussed and agreed broad criteria for targets having been:
  • met
  • not met

Reflections – on targets and evidence gathering
  • What was the basis of your choice of targets for individual teachers’ targets. Are the links sufficiently clearly related to whole school priorities identified in your School Development Plan?
  • Are the targets appropriate to teachers’ grades and responsibilities?

  • Are the targets specific and measurable?

  • Have you made teachers aware at the start of the year what they need to do in order to be able to show evidence of pay progression at the end of the year?

  • Are teachers fully aware of the range of evidence that will be used to make final professional judgements about their performance?
  1. 0bservations
  2. Pupil progress data
  3. Work in books
  4. Marking and feedback
  5. The learning environment
  6. Pupil involvement in their learning
  7. Other

  • There should be no surprises at the end of the year. Are mid year reviews built into your appraisal cycle aligned to pupil progress meetings to ensure teachers are on track to achieve targets ?

  • Do your mid year reviews include looking
at other evidence related to teachers’ targets? What
systems do you have in place for a teacher who may
not be on track for achieving their targets at the end of the year?
  • Does your appraisal system specify appropriate CPD to ensure teachers are fully supported to meet their targets?

  • How do you report to governors on appraisal and how effective is that in ensuring they have an overview of appraisal in the school?

  • As we reach the end of the first year of pay related appraisal, how many teachers have given you cause for concern? What have been the key issues?
  • lack of pupil progress
  • poor observations
  • targets not specific enough
  • insufficient evidence
  • no mid year reviews
  • targets not matched to teachers’ responsibilites
  • teachers unable/unwilling to accept their professional responsibilities

  • If a teacher has not demonstrated sufficient evidence of progress for the appraisal review, is the issue significant enough to withhold pay progression?
  • Is the teacher clear about the next ‘interim’ stage ie being supported to improve over a specific time period which should result in the necessary improvements?

  • What do you see are your challenges for the coming year ? How can we help you with that?