Self- Evaluation/GB Reviews leading to Continuous Improvement Workshop Option – 45 minutes

Workshop will focus on! Critical self-evaluation and GB reviews allows both organisations and individuals to develop. This workshop introduces the concept of ‘self- evaluation’ and ‘ GB reviews’ as a way in which governors can set their own culture of continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to explore and discuss the many possibilities that can be achieved through systematic self-evaluation and GB Reviews

Self-evaluation and GB Reviews: Similarities and Differences Governing Body Self-Evaluation Is a process or method used to enable an individual or an organisation to rate the quality of there or its work. The process should help the individual or organisation to improve its work. Such a process is usually undertaken annually, using a specific method, often a checklist type tool Governing Body Review – Is an externally supported self-review process. There are two types of governing body reviews, for example 1. Governing Body requested or an 2. Ofsted recommendation within the school’s Ofsted Inspection report Refer to Handout 1

Activity One: Exploring current Self-Evaluation practices Why? How? What? and When? WHY? HOW? WHAT? and WHEN? Activity One What to do:- Working in small groups (table groups) Nominate a willing person to lead the group and is willing to report back the groups’ responses Nominate a scribe to record the groups’ responses on Handout 2 under the headings WHY. HOW. WHAT and WHAT? Collectively share and then ask the group scribe to record the individual responses from each member of the group. (It is important to record a “no”, “not sure” “don’t know” responses if these are shared by group members) 10 minutes to complete Activity One

Why? How? What? and When? Feedback Each group to report its responses to each of the grid questions The trainer will ask each group to report back on one grid and gather additional responses from the other groups What next? Consider action (s). Use Handout 2a (reverse) to capture action (s) to share back with individual governing bodies.

The Eight Elements of “Good” Governance – NGA (National Governors Association) 1. The right people around the table 2. Understanding role and responsibilities 3. Professional clerking 4. Good chairing 5. Good relationships based on trust 6. Knowing the school- the data, the children, staff, parents and the community 7. Committed to asking challenging questions 8. Confident to have courageous conversations in the interest of children and young people

20 Questions for the governing body to ask – example self-evaluation tool Explore the self-evaluation tool (Handout 3)

Ofsted and Governance Ofsted are looking at the effectiveness of governance including how well governors : 1. Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction 2. Contribute to the school’s self-evaluation and understand its strengths and weaknesses including the impact of their own work 3. Support and strengthen school leadership including by developing their own skills 4. Provide challenge and hold the head teacher and other senior leaders to account for improving the quality of teaching, pupils’ achievement and pupils’ behaviour and safety, including by using the data dashboard, other progress data, examination outcomes and test results 5. Use performance management systems, including the performance management of the head teacher, to improve teaching, leadership and management 6. Ensure solvency and probity and that the financial resources made available to the school are managed effectively 7. Operate in such a way that statutory duties are met and priorities are approved 8. Engage with key stakeholders 9. Use the pupil premium and other resources to overcome barriers to learning, including reading, writing and mathematics Ofsted School Inspection Handbook, Sept 2013

Strategic Planning – GB Self-Evaluation Who? Frequency? Links? Process? Evidence? Findings/Judgements? Improvement actions/changes/impact? Reporting back?

Questions????