Lesson observations: how-to guide and templates

Set your own rules 

There are no rules on:

• The number of lesson observations you can carry out in a year
• How long observations should last
• Who can carry out observations
• How much notice you need to give before an observation
• Whether ‘drop ins’ or learning walks should count as lesson observations

Create a policy and keep in mind union protocols

Set out your school’s approach to lesson observations in a policy – it could be its own observation policy, or part of your appraisal policy.

Unions have their own protocols, so bear those in mind.

 You can find examples of these in:

• Our own model appraisal policy, which we developed in consultation with NAHT
• A model appraisal policy from the DfE
• A model observation protocol used by both the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and NASUWT

You’re also not required to grade individual lessons using the Ofsted