Headteacher Appraisal

Boards in maintained schools have a statutory duty to appoint a suitable trained external adviser for advice and support on the Headteacher's appraisal.

Maintained schools have a duty to appraise the performance of their headteacher on an annual basis (by 31^st December). These reviews are delegated to a sub-committee of governors consisting of three members of the governing body and form a crucial part of the school accountability process.

In maintained schools the governing board must appoint an external adviser to support the performance management process.

It is the governors role to appoint an adviser, governors should take care that they appoint a suitably qualified advisor with a secure understanding of school improvement. Their role is to support governors in the evaluation process and to support governors in answering these key questions:

• has the headteacher achieved the success criteria in order to meet their current performance objectives?
• how well has the headteacher performed overall? Are there concerns around performance?
• what should form the focus for the headteacher’s future objectives and how does this link to the overarching school priorities?
• what personal and professional development opportunities might benefit the headteacher?

Whilst the performance review should take place on or before 31 December each year, best practice is to complete reviews early so that targets can be cascaded down through the leadership and have the greatest impact on your school plan priorities.  Many Trusts often appoint an external advisor and follow the same procedures as maintained schools.

• an external adviser is commissioned - this is Ofsted, the school improvement adviser or similarly qualified individual
• the headteacher and governors prepare any evidence they want considered as part of the process
• the appraisal panel meets to discuss points to raise, making sure they understand the priorities within the school plan and the outcomes of their own monitoring
• the external advisor meets with the headteacher to review evidence and draft targets for the coming year
• the external advisor and appraisal panel meet to review evidence and draft targets for the coming year
• the headteacher and appraisal panel meet to discuss whether targets have been met and confirm targets going forward
• the external advisor summarises the results of the meetings in a review document
• the appraisal panel makes recommendations about headteacher pay (in line with school policy) for other governors to make a decision about.

The appraisal (performance management) process includes both the review of previous targets, target setting meeting and report.

We can also provide:

• Stand alone target setting for new or interim leaders.
• Support for mid year reviews (strongly recommended for schools at risk of or judged to be requires improvement).