Teacher Appraisal and PRP - Part Three: The Self Appraisal Stage

The Appraisal Grids:
So far we have developed five versions of the Berkhamsted Appraisal Grids (although they are a different stages of maturity):

1. Teacher (for KS1 to KS5)
2. Head of Department
3. Senior Leadership Team
4. Early Years
5. Support Staff

The Appraisal Grids focus on 'Atttitudes and Behaviours' rather than on outcomes and all follow the same fundamental structure. Key competences or responsibilities relating to the role are identified.

There are descriptors of three levels of teacher 'attitudes and behaviours':

1. Falling Short of Expectations
2. Meets Expectations / Good
3. Outstanding

Step One - Self Appraisal

The appraisal process starts with self appraisal. Teachers simply work their way through the appraisal grids highlighting the description that summarises their performance best. They need to be prepared to present evidence in support of their judgement. This might take the form of lesson planners, photographs of classroom displays etc.

There are four advantages of this system of self-appraisal:

1. The grids force teachers to focus on how they are performing in relation to key teaching competences (or 'responsibilities' in the case of middle and senior managers.
2. It is very quick and easy to complete the appraisal grid self-appraisal. It takes the appraisee about 30 minutes to highlight the grid.
3. It is a standardised system across departments and key stages
4. The process automatically sets targets for teacher improvement and describes what that improvement might look like:

Improving the Pace of Lessons is clearly a priority in this instance.

Next Post in Series

Links to related posts on Teacher Appraisal and PRP:

• Part One: Background Thinking behind Berkhamsted School's approach
• Part Two: The Berkhamsted School HoD Appraisal PRP Consultation
• Part Three: The Self Appraisal Stage
• Part Four: The Review and Moderation Stage
• Part Five: The Feedback Meeting, Target Setting and CPD
• Part Six:  PRP for HoDs and Teachers