21 st Century Schools Group

1. 21st Century Schools Group Proposal for a Peer Review Process Liz Edwins and Gary Holden 24.5.12

2. Priority 9 • Create a task and finish group of heads, governors and LLEs to design a methodology for school reviews that will highlight areas of good practice, identify areas of need and validate evidence of progress

3. Proposal • Borrowing for the peer review model used by local authorities, we propose a school to school peer review process. • Two or three schools could come together to carry out appreciative enquiry in one another’s schools. • The agenda is set by the host school in discussion with partner HTs • The review to last one and a half days with half a day set aside for feedback • Review activities could include learning walks, book scrutiny, interviews with key stakeholders and review of documentation • The reviewing team to be made up of the visiting HT plus two other colleagues from the visiting school(s)

4. Principles of Peer Review • No scoring or extensive judgements - just identified strengths and areas for further consideration • Agreement of the scope of the review with the host. Host HT takes ownership of self-assessment topic chosen • Final feedback can be in many forms • Follow up development support • Assist the host school to make progress on their improvement journey • Promote an open and transparent dialogue • No surprises – regular updates between visiting and host HT during the review • Appreciative enquiry approach NOT a deficit analysis

5. Peer Review – focus? Peer Review could include: • Review of the host school’s SEF and Improvement Plan; • Face to face meetings with the HT and any other relevant people which may include the chair of governors and/or senior leaders, teachers, support staff, children, parents; • Learning walks and book scrutinies • Verbal and written feedback and advice on the SEF/improvement plan; • Suggestions on what support might be needed and where it might be found/ brokered; • Some ongoing challenge and support as improvement planning takes place and begins to be implemented.

6. Basic stages of a peer review • Planning discussion (Host and visiting HT) • Choice of self assessment topic (Host HT) • Agree dates for on-site visits • Identify host school lead • Reading pack – SEF, Raise, School Improvement Plan • Detailed timetable • Fieldwork • Presentation of findings • Response document/Improvement Plan (Host HT)