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CLASSROOM OBSERVATION Revised January 2010 Classroom Observation Aims Classroom observations are used to support teachers and other classroom staff and to monitor the quality of teaching and learning at Whitefield. Observation contributes to the school’s self-evaluation, to the School Development Plan and to the professional development of classroom staff. It enables us to recognise and reinforce good practice, to identify ways of improving teaching and learning and to highlight practice which ought to be shared more widely. In all these ways it contributes directly to the quality of pupils’ learning and experience in school. Organisation Observations are organised by the Head of each School. Every teacher is observed three times, for a maximum of three hours in total, during the academic year (unless they request or agree to further observations for a specific purpose or are the subject of capability procedures). Two observations are structured and graded according to OFSTED criteria. The third scheduled observation is ungraded and may be a peer observation, an advisory observation by a line manager or other colleague with particular expertise or an opportunity for a less experienced colleague to develop professionally by observing practice. The nature of the third observation should reflect the teacher’s development needs. All observations link to a teacher’s performance management and at least one of the two OFSTED style observations should be carried out by the line manager responsible for that teacher’s performance management. Some observations each term will be carried out by two observers as a way of moderating judgements and promoting a consistent approach. Teachers new to Whitefield have additional informal observations to support them in their development. They will also have the opportunity to observe colleagues informally. Other teachers may request informal observations via their Head of School or the line manager responsible for their performance management. Nursery Nurses, Higher Level Teaching Assistants and Supervisory Teaching Assistants will be observed once each year in their roles as group leader in a class which they regularly cover. Observations each term focus on a specific theme (e.g. assessment for learning) or subject each term, as agreed by the Senior Leadership Team, and the outcomes are used to evaluate practice in that area of the school’s work. Grades will relate to the lesson as a whole, not to the term’s theme. Observations need not be classroom based; indeed, if they are to make an effective contribution to the school’s self-evaluation they should cover a range of contexts inside and outside the classroom. Preparation It is the observer’s responsibility to ensure that the person being observed is aware of the purpose of the observation and of any particular focus. This may be discussed informally or in a brief meeting in advance of the observation. Observers are expected to plan for the observation by reading any paperwork given in advance and familiarising themselves with the class to be observed. It is the responsibility of the person being observed to ensure that all relevant paperwork (previous observations, Welcome File, planning for the lesson and pupils’ IEPs) are readily accessible to the observer and that they have advised the observer on any issues which may adversely affect the lesson (for example, it may be unwise for the observer to approach a particular pupil, a key member of staff may be absent and replaced by a less experienced member of the supply team). 1 H:\work\policies\staffw\classobs.doc lr Evaluation, grading and recording Specific pro formas are used to record OFSTED style, peer and professional development observations (see pages 6 – 16). The pro formas for OFSTED style lessons are based on guidance in the OFSTED handbook and identify key criteria which contribute to the overall judgement. The final grade, however, is not the ‘sum of the boxes ticked’ but a ‘best fit’ of the grade descriptions on page 3. Observers and those being observed should note the conditions which mean that a lesson cannot be judged as satisfactory, however good other elements of the lesson might be. Peer observations and professional development observations are based on the school’s view of good practice. No overall grade is given. As the pro formas for observations form part of the evidence for teachers’ performance management, copies are kept in the teacher’s performance management file and their personnel file. A further copy is given to the Head of the Centre for Professional Development and Information who will collate the information across the school for discussion at the Curriculum Monitoring and Development Group. Advisory observations need not be formally recorded; the nature of the written record is agreed between the observer and the person being observed. These records are not filed centrally; teachers may use them in their performance management if they wish to do so. Feedback Verbal feedback should take place on the same day if possible and always within two working days of the observation. Written feedback should be given to the person observed within five working days and should take account of the comments made by the person being observed. Training Classroom observations are carried out by members of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of CPDI, Specialism Leaders and other middle leaders identified by their HOS. Observers are trained by an external consultant and/or as part of the school’s middle management course. Regular refresher courses are provided. In addition, paired observation is an important way of maintaining consistent practice and each observer will normally participate in at least one paired observation each year. Observation training forms part of the school’s induction programme and the training programme for Supervisory Teaching Assistants. Individual schools may organise refresher training as appropriate. Many sessions within the school’s curriculum implementation training will relate to the practice which ensures a good or outstanding observation. Code of Practice All observers are expected to follow the school’s Code of Practice for observation (page 4). If the person being observed feels that the observer has fallen short of what is expected they should express their concerns to the observer or to an appropriate line manager as soon as possible after the observation or feedback. 2 H:\work\policies\staffw\classobs.doc lr OFSTED guidance on grading lessons The overall judgement will be a ‘best fit’ of the grade descriptions in the box, except in the case of an unsatisfactory lesson where particular conditions mean that the lesson cannot be satisfactory. Description Characteristics of the lesson Outstanding (1) The lesson is at least good in all major respects and is exemplary in significant elements, as shown by the significant progress made by all of the learners. Good (2) Most learners make good progress because of the good teaching they receive. Behaviour overall is good and learners are well motivated. They work in a safe, secure and friendly environment. Teaching is based on secure subject knowledge with a well- structured range of stimulating tasks that engage the learners while. The work is well matched to the full range of learners’ needs, so that most are suitably challenged. Teaching methods are effectively related to the lesson objectives and the needs of learners. Teaching assistants and resources are well deployed and good use is made of time. Assessment of learners’ work is regular, consistent and promotes progress. Satisfactory (3) The lesson is inadequate in no major respect, and may be good in some respects, as shown by the satisfactory enjoyment and progress of the learners. Inadequate (4) A lesson cannot be adequate if: • Most learners, or a significant specific minority of learners, make less than satisfactory progress • Learners’ overall behaviour or attitudes are unsatisfactory, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are neglected, and learners’ overall personal development is poor • The health or safety of the learners is endangered • The teaching is unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory teaching is likely to have one or more of the following: o Weak knowledge of the curriculum leading to inaccurate teaching and low demands on pupils o Work badly matched to the pupils’ starting points o Ineffective classroom management of behaviour o Methods which are poorly geared to the learning objectives or which fail to gain the interest and commitment of the learners o Inadequate use of resources, including assistants and the time available o Poor assessment 3 H:\work\policies\staffw\classobs.doc lr
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