You can set your own rules
There are no requirements 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
Consider what style and frequency of observations will have the best impact on your senior leadership team (SLT) and teachers' workload and wellbeing.
Create a policy and keep union protocols in mind
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.
Your policy could include:
- The annual pattern of classroom observation
- A notice period for observations
- Who can observe who
- How feedback should be given
Unions have their own protocols, so bear those in mind. If you're reviewing your approach to lesson observations, involve your school's union representatives in the process.
