Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) The Role of Governors Governor Reviewer Training

Objectives The objectives of this evening are to: Provide Governors with an overview of the PRSD scheme; Explore the key elements of PRSD; Outline how Governor Reviewers carry out their responsibilities and fulfil their role; Illustrate the role of the External Adviser and how they can assist in the management of the PRSD process.

Programme 7.00 pmIntroduction The PRSD scheme 7.20 pmRoles and Responsibilities The Annual Review Cycle 8.00 pmWorkshop 8.15 pmTalk and Q&A with External Adviser 8.45 pmPlenary/Evaluations/Close

PRSD ‘Every School a Good School’, The Governors’ Role, a Guide for Governors ‘ A Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) Scheme, agreed at the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee, applies to all qualified teachers, other than teachers participating in induction and early professional development. PRSD is integral to the school development planning process. It is designed to contribute to the process of continuous improvement and to assist Principals and teachers to improve their individual performance. Under the Scheme, the Board of Governors has a strategic role for adopting a PRSD policy for their school and for monitoring its implementation.’ ‘Every School a Good School’, The Governors’ Role. A Guide for Governors Paragraph 9.40

The PRSD scheme The PRSD scheme applies to Principals and teachers employed in grant aided schools in Northern Ireland; The scheme sets out the procedures associated with the annual review cycle which every principal and teacher is required to participate in; - The reviewee is the person being reviewed - The reviewer is the person conducting the review.

The PRSD scheme Operational from September 2005 An agreed scheme- updated February 2014 Links to School Development Plan Focus on professional development

Vision PRSD Scheme – Vision Statement The scheme’s vision statement says that it… is integral to the school development planning process; recognises the significant skills, abilities and experience of teachers; will foster their continuing professional development; will seek to provide for all pupils the highest quality learning and teaching.

Aims (PRSD Scheme 2.1) The scheme aims to: recognise the contribution of teachers to achieving the aims of the school development plan and help them to identify ways of enhancing their skills and performance; identify the professional needs and necessary resources to support teachers in their professional development and career progression; increase teachers’ participation in decision-making and career planning; develop in teachers a greater sense of control over their work.

PRSD - Key Principles Professionalism Confidentiality Sensitivity Openness and transparency Equality and fairness Trust and confidence (RTU Handbook, section 4.4)

Roles and Responsibilities Employing authorities Boards of Governors Designated Governor Reviewers Principals External Advisers

Responsibility of the Board of Governors Ensure the school has a PRSD policy; Ensure the professional development and performance of teachers is reviewed annually in accordance with the scheme; Designate two Governor Reviewers; Ensure equal opportunities; Comply with quality assurance/monitoring procedures.

Role of the Governor Reviewers (Minimum of 2 reviewers, assisted by an External Adviser) Review evidence for previous year’s 3 objectives; Work with the Principal and the External Adviser to identify and agree 3 personal or shared objectives for new school year; Carry out 2 sessions of task/classroom observation; Participate in the Review Discussion with the Principal and the External Adviser; Complete Review Discussion and Review Statement.

Role of External Adviser Responsible for supporting and advising designated Governor Reviewers; Requests School Development Plan and other relevant information from school; Provides advice to the Governor Reviewers regarding areas for objectives; Supports Governor Reviewers in writing the Review Statement /composing objectives for the next cycle. NOTE – External Advisers are not reviewers/inspectors. Schools have the opportunity to opt out of the use of an External Adviser.

The Annual Review Cycle The review process has three stages: –Stage One – Meeting to agree/ record objectives, possible outcomes, reviewing progress throughout the year. –Stage Two - Monitoring and collecting relevant information. –Stage Three – Meeting to review performance against objectives (Review Discussion) and complete review statement.

The Annual Review Cycle Monitoring and evidence gathering Review discussion, Write review statement and set objectives for next cycle Review statement Annex

Review Discussion When it happens –at the end of the review cycle Who attends –Governor Reviewers, External Adviser and Principal Purposes –discussion of all relevant evidence –assessment of performance against objectives –discuss the Principal’s personal and professional development –note of any personal and/or professional development needs arising Outcome –establish 3 objectives for the in-coming year and begin the next review cycle –action plan to achieve personal and professional development needs

Objectives – Governor Reviewer role Review the current performance against objectives; Agree 3 objectives covering the areas of leadership and management pupil and curriculum development personal and professional development Ensure the objectives –are linked to the School Development Plan; –are appropriately challenging; –take cognisance of employing authority advice; –are SMART; –are documented as a record and recorded on appropriate forms ( Planning record & Monitoring Form).

Objectives

Writing Objectives To complete the process of writing objectives, Governor Reviewers need to; Be informed & know the school pupil performance – school performance data benchmarking data School Development Plan Action Plans Progress in initiatives eg Signature Projects Ensure objectives are SMART; Establish Success Criteria; Decide on evidence to support objectives.

Monitoring Progress Task/ classroom The Purposes –to gather evidence that informs the review discussion is relevant/appropriate to the agreed objectives is sufficient to allow judgements about performance and the achievement of objectives to be made Task and/or classroom observation –part of the evidence requirements –planning and preparation –feedback and keeping a record

Review Meeting Outcomes Principal’s Performance reviewed; Review Statement written; Objectives set for the next year /recorded in Planning Record; Agreement regarding evidence to be collected & Task Observations recorded in Monitoring Progress Form.

Review Statement An agreed record of the conclusions reached; –prepared by the Governor Reviewers, agreed by the Principal and signed by both –a brief and concise summary of the review discussion which records the Principal’s performance any personal and professional development needs (in a separate annex) an action plan and objectives for the in-coming year Prepared within 10 working days of the review meeting; A confidential document (refer to guidance).

The PRSD process At your tables discuss the statements. Are they ‘True’ or ‘False’? 23 W ORKSHOP

The PRSD process External Adviser Role Peg O’Neill Questions

Summary of Key Points Boards of Governors have a legal responsibility to ensure the professional development and performance of teachers are reviewed annually in accordance with the scheme; Boards of Governors have a duty to prepare a PRSD policy, consulting with teachers, and ensuring that it is implemented effectively; Designated governors are responsible for establishing the objectives for and reviewing the performance of the Principal.

What will help Stick to the scheme and follow the guidance; Use the External Adviser as a resource; Negotiate with the Principal to seek agreed objectives; Always keep the big picture in mind – what impact will the PRSD process have on children’s learning and attainment in your school?

Success Factors PRSD is successful when governors recognise that: it provides a framework, linked to school development planning; careful preparation and sensitive implementation are vital; the key lies in getting the performance objectives right, ensuring they are challenging and appropriate. The process needs to be robust; the emphasis throughout has to be on professional development; it can lead to greater school effectiveness.

Support for Boards of Governors - PRSD ‘ Every School a Good school – The Governors’ Role’ Scheme of Management - PRSD scheme PRSD Guidance – Principles and Procedures External Adviser ESAGs TV: On-line Governor Training ELB Websites – Governing Body Contacts: WELB, CCMS, NICIE, CNaG, GBA ELB programme of training

WELB CASS Governor Support Service CASS Governor Support Service WELB Headquarters 1 Hospital Road OMAGH Co Tyrone BT79 0AW Tel: Fax:

Objectives The objectives of this evening are to: Provide Governors with an overview of the PRSD scheme; Explore the key elements of PRSD; Outline how Governor Reviewers carry out their responsibilities and fulfil their role; Illustrate the role of the External Adviser and how they can assist in the management of the PRSD process.