What are observations like in your school?

[rollonthesummer]

In my (primary) school, they happen yearly-done by the SMT-graded according to Ofsted criteria, with a week's notice, ie we're coming to see you teach maths next Wednesday at 10am. We also have other more informal peer observations for subjects.

My sister in law's school does observations by two members of the SMT at once-they are with a weekend notice but are unannounced-you are just told it will be sometime during the week. This happens once a term and if they are considered requires improvement, they are revisited within a fortnight with it counting towards their PMR.

Can I be nosy and ask what happens in your school?

We have three a year. We chose the time and usually the lesson, signing up on a timetable that is stuck on the board in the staffroom. Usually have about 2wks notice.

First observation is by HT and DHT, the last two are by SMT members it varies who it is. We are graded like OFSTED do.

We also observe one another throughout the year, usually if there is an area subject we have an interest in these are informal and usually very useful.

Our HT gives us one every half term. We are told the day but not the time so he could come into any lesson that day. All lessons are graded against OFSTED guidelines and we are graded at the end of each lesson.

Once a term. One member of SLT (responsible for your PM). They choose when (usually 1 Eng, 1 Maths and 1 other each year) and give you a week's notice. Feedback same day. Some give you an Ofsted grade, some say they don't give Ofsted grades but if they did it would be a whatever . All a bit vague given we have objectives that require eg at least 50% of lessons to be 'outstanding'.

We also have learning walks. 2 members of SLT, iPads in hand. In class for 10-20 mins. Feedback is to year leaders, but you would soon know if they were concerned about something as you would be getting more drop-ins, offers of 'support' and a big increase in formal obs.

Once a term by line manager. Generally the class is chosen in discussion to find something that suits both observed and observer. If a 3, must be re-seen within a month. If a 4, it triggers support/coaching immediately. If a 2 or 1, the next term's need only be 30 minutes.

Ours is every half term but it's only 15/20minutes rather than a whole lesson!

We only have three a year due to union reg. one is normally performance manangement from line manager, agreed in advance on a theme. The other two are normally in the form of 'learning walks'. We are given max two days notice and told if we will be seen in the morning or afternoon. Unless the focus is on behaviour when it is announced in the morning. we are seen my a member of slt or pastoral team ( teaching head of year). I am convinced that they are all competent in grading.

Once every two years we have a departmental mock ofsted. Each person is told the two days they maybe seen on and we are expected to present to full lesson plans, data ect for all potential lessons. We are observed by the slt link member to our department.

Feedback is an Osfted grade but we receive no advise on how to improve. Do other people receive constructive advice?

I asked for advise once on how to change my 2 to a 1 and was told they did not know what I could have done differently with that class!

Three a year, by our PM person. I always get seen in Maths, since she's a Maths specialist. Which means there's a lot of nit picking...

Twice per year for us. Once by the HT and once by a member of the SMT, whoever is your PM leader.

For the HT obs, we are told to drop by his office to make an appointment. The other time, we sign up on a timetable in the staff room. There's usually at least a couple of weeks notice. Sometimes they want to see a specific lesson or tell us they will be focusing on xyz and sometimes we are given free choice.

We get written feedback usually within 24 hours and are graded according of ofsted.

Hardly ever, if at all. But then we are laid back like that in these parts. Shit teachers / parental complaints / poor results might get you observed with a week's notice. Otherwise, we observe each other for our own CPD only.

3 a year
Autumn term - HT
Spring term - Phase leader
Summer term - phase leader and phase colleague as a peer observation

OFSTED criteria. Notice of day and time. Verbal feedback on same day. written feedback within 48 hours.

Focus of lesson is based on school priority.

One for each subject we teach (middle school so everyone has to do more than one subject)
They will tell you next week we are doing RE/history/geography in ks2 or 4 so you can narrow it down to 2/3 lessons.

Primary - one per term for performance management. Lit & Num and another of either of those. Observed by a pair - usually H and/or DH, and lit or num leader (if you agree, one person otherwise).

Notice of a couple of weeks given. Ofsted criteria used. Oral feedback on the day, written within 48 hours.

RI or Inadequate means weekly observations for the next 6 weeks, along with support package on whatever was deemed needing improvement. After that 6 weeks, if no improvement then formal capability and support considered.

Penguin it doesn't matter how long - you should only be having 3 observations a year. The Head can pop in whenever (s)he likes, but only 3 official observations allowed.
Ours are done by our line manager usually (so HoD - Secondary) and a member of SMT might do one if there is a faculty review.

Once a term, we can choose when they come. Graded like Ofsted.

you should only be having 3 observations a year

Is that still the case?

changes

I'm in Wales, rollon. IT's all different here. I thought it was part of the work to rule anyway, though.

Once a term, one week's notice, flexibility with what is observed and who chooses, so sometimes us, sometimes SLT will ask to see something specific.

Judged against Ofsted criteria, feedback immediately after the lesson, including advice and helpful support. Our SLT is amazing and really wants us all to do well and feel supported.

The school's ethos is based around Carol Dweck's groweth mindset ethos, that anyone can achieve whatever they want to with the right praise and support. It is amazing.

Do you know which lesson it is though, or is it just 'at some point next week'?