What does the tool do?
The tool has been designed to facilitate meaningful school leader self –evaluation.
It has a number of other uses.
School leaders often put the needs of everyone else before their own. However the school itself will be a better one if the leaders makes the time for their own development and self-reflection.
The version for Wales links the Welsh Government Expectation of Formal Leadership Practice and the Estyn Guidance for Inspectors for inspections from 2022.
This makes it easy for leaders to see how reflecting on their own performance can impact positively on school improvement and inspection outcomes.
Version for England is currently being updated. It links the Headteacher Standards to Ofsted Framework and Handbook. Contact Mike for more information.
How Can It Be Used?
The main focus is school leader self-evaluation. Using the booklet or electronic version, school leaders can construct a diagrammatic summary of performance. It is then up to the them how they use the results. They may use it as a catalyst for school improvement or they may choose to use it in discussion with those responsible for their performance management.
Leaders can choose to work their way through it standard by standard or they may prefer to merge it with existing school self-evaluation processes, reflecting against the relevant standard at the most appropriate time.
As the tool is linked to Estyn requirements, the tool can also be used as a catalyst for school improvement and preparation for inspection.
There are other uses. It has been used help candidates prepare for headteacher interviews and to empower/motivate senior leadership teams to assist the headteacher more effectively in driving school improvement.
As the tool gives such a comprehensive overview of what good schools look like, it can be used to help Governors understand what they should be looking for when evaluating the schools they lead.
If a group of headteachers choose to share the outcomes with each other, whether that be across a MAT or a school improvement group, the tool effectively highlights areas of strength and developmental need in the group, so facilitating the sharing of excellence and the identification of training need.
What are the main features of the tool?
- Facilitates thorough self-evaluation
- Summary of performance built up in a diagram, facilitating the identification of strengths/developmental need and the sharing of outcomes
- Helps school leaders see the link between their own development/performance and that of the school
- Links Expectation of Formal Leadership Practice with Estyn requirements
- Clear, concise and easy to use
What does it cost? What do schools get for their money?
Single Licence: £165 Wales Additional copies £100
£165 purchases the booklet and the ability to download the electronic tool for Wales from my website.
The download allows the tool to be installed once to one PC. Additional copies are available at a discounted rate of £100 per additional copy.
What does the electronic tool need to work?
All that is needed for the tool to operate can be found on most school devices.
- Microsoft Windows 8.1 or 10
- Microsoft Excel 2019, Office 365 and subsequent (v16.0)
- Excel macro support enabled
At present, the tool is compatible with Microsoft Windows / Excel. A Mac OS version is under development
Is the tool available now?
Yes.
Version For Wales (Gymraeg and English language versions)
A version of tool specific for the Welsh education system is available now, both in the medium of Welsh and English.
Mike Glavin introducing the School Leader Self-Evaluation Tool
Video Preview of the English Language Version
The tool is also available in the medium of Welsh