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Performance management of headteachers. Professor Peter Earley & Dr Sara Bubb p.earley@ioe.ac.uk s.bubb@ioe.ac.uk. Introduction. Good governance is at the heart of effective headteacher performance management (HTPM)
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Performance management of headteachers Professor Peter Earley & Dr Sara Bubb p.earley@ioe.ac.uk s.bubb@ioe.ac.uk
Introduction • Good governance is at the heart of effective headteacher performance management (HTPM) • Effective oversight of the HT is the most important part played by the GB in the overall governance of the school • It is a complex and demanding process
Overview • What is HT performance management? • Challenges • Effective HTPM
What images come to mind? Nurturing Pruning
Performance + Accountability ‘...the governing body has a duty to review the head’s performance...’ (DfEE 2000) ‘...holding the school’s leadership to account for the performance of the school...’ (DCSF 2009) ‘...the performance agenda has never been stronger. Schools are subject to sharper accountability for pupil outcomes. And, as a result, governors have a much greater role to ensure that a strategic direction is set by the headteacher to deliver good results...’ (HMCI Sir Michael Wilshaw, speech at The Policy Exchange, 27 Feb 2013)
Performance management & appraisal • Not a one-off—PM continues throughout the year with ongoing monitoring, that includes challenge and support • Regular interaction between the HT and chair as well as committee meetings that have oversight of aspects of the school (eg standards, finance, staffing) that relate to the HT’s objectives • interim meeting to check specific progress of the HT against objectives
Challenges • Commitment • Logistics • External advice • Objectives • Pay
1. Commitment • Commitment to the process by all • Mutual respect and trust • Developing capacity for HTPM • Training + examples, benchmarking • Ensuring continuity • Ongoing, not just the appraisal meeting
2. Logistics • Time and timing • HTPM panel membership • Clear procedures and documentation • Identifying and interpreting appropriate performance information
The structure of appraisal • An External Adviser (EA) is commissioned • The appraisal panel meets to discuss points to raise • The EA meets with the HT • The EA, HT and appraisal panel meet together • The HT and appraisal panel meet • The EA summarises the results of the meetings in a review document • The appraisal panel makes recommendations about HT pay for other governors to make a decision about.
3. External Advice • Recruitment – Who? Commissioned by whom? Pay? • Clear roles and expectations • Knowledgeable • Helps governors makes use of evidence from a range of sources to inform decision-making
4. Objectives • How many? Depth & span of priorities • How much challenge? • Are they SMART? Success criteria? • Link to school improvement plan and other people’s PM objectives • Professional development • Should they be amended in light of new circumstances?
5. Pay • Motivation - demotivation • Competition • Pressure • Avoidance of conflict • Reward for system leadership • Benchmarking
Effective HTPM • draws on external expertise • is integrated with the school development plan and the PM of all staff • has a secure annual cycle of setting and reviewing objectives, together with interim monitoring • is underpinned by sound relationships, characterised by openness, trust and integrity, among all those involved
Effective HTPM • involves the setting of meaningful and challenging but achievable objectives • strikes an appropriate balance among internal and external accountability, development and reward • makes use of evidence from a range of sources to inform decision-making
Effective HTPM • is evaluated and adapted over time to meet evolving requirements of individual circumstances and shifting school needs • is viewed as part of an on-going and wider process of working with the HT and all staff to ensure high levels of performance • is integral to the development of overall GB capacity to govern the school
Conclusion • Headship crucial to school success • Effective HTPM is an attribute of highly effective governance AND highly effective schools!
Effectively Managing Headteacher Performance Project webpage: http://www.ioe.ac.uk/research/departments/lcc/84881.html