21st Century Schools Group

Proposal for a Peer Review ProcessLiz Edwins and Gary Holden

24.5.12

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

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)

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

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.

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)