Appraisal

Your one-stop-shop to plan and carry out a successful learning walk, using our suggested focus areas, checklist and templates. Get to grips with how to successfully analyse your findings and plan future actions.

Get to grips with how to carry out successful lesson observations. Use our lesson observation templates (2 of which are based on Ofsted inspection criteria), our template feedback form for staff and a spreadsheet to keep track of observations throughout the school year.

Know what effective teaching looks like in the EYFS and find examples of prompts to help when carrying out lesson observations.

Download our template forms for gathering 360-degree feedback for staff performance reviews, including for a headteacher, and save yourself time if you're making your own.

See the key phases of the performance management cycle as suggested in the DfE's guidance and model policy for teacher appraisal. Plus, get advice on setting objectives and how to monitor and review teacher performance.

Understand your legal responsibilities for performance managing teachers on maternity leave. Plus, get tips on how to schedule meetings and set appraisal targets for staff on maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.

Download and adapt our set of career stage expectations for assistant and deputy headteachers, and a SENCO, based on the Teachers' Standards.

Find out your requirements for assessing EYFS teachers, and read a summary of the early years' Teachers' Standards.

Read our summary of the Headteachers' Standards 2020, and download our self-assessment tool to track your progress.

Prepare for your appraisal by familiarising yourself with the process, and use our guidance to help you write your objectives for the next appraisal period.

Be prepared for your deputy headteacher's appraisal by considering objectives, professional development and national standards.

Use our guidance for leaders in multi-academy trusts (MATs) to help you manage the appraisal process for headteachers in your schools. Download our templates and checklist so you can be confident you've got everything covered.

Read advice on performance management for your school's admin staff, including how to use professional standards and set objectives.

Read guidance on setting objectives and carrying out appraisal for caretakers and school site managers.

Boost the productivity and effectiveness of your school office by examining your organisational techniques, procedures and use of software. Also find examples of staff training opportunities.

Understand how performance links to pay progression and find guidance on setting objectives, identifying areas for development and collecting evidence for appraisals.

Be confident going into your meeting with an underperforming teacher. Read our walk-through of how the meeting will run and download our template capability action plan, so you can feel prepared as you begin this informal capability process.

Read guidance and advice on requirements around sharing information about capability procedures. Find out what you have to disclose to governing bodies and future employers.