How does your school rate on our appraisal policy checklist?

The performance management cycle will begin again at the end of September. But does your school have a good appraisal policy?

Appraisal Policy Checklist

The NUT has a checklist to help you tell the good policies from the unfair ones. The full document can be found here, but here are the things to look for in your school's appraisal policy:

  • Does your school follow the model appraisal policy agreed with Derby City Council and the teaching unions?
  • Does your school's appraisal policy contain a clear statement that the appraisal process is developmental and supportive and is intended to foster professional dialogue between colleagues? 
  • All appraisal activities will take place within the teacher’s directed time, but not within a teacher’s PPA time? 
  • Policy applies to all teachers at the school apart from those on contracts of less than one term, NQTs undergoing induction or teachers on capability procedures? 
  • Is there a clear timeline for the completion of the appraisal process in the annual cycle? 
  • The length of the appraisal period for teachers on fixed term contracts of less than one year will be determined by the length of their contract? 
  • The head (or governing body in the case of the head) will determine the length of the first cycle for newly appointed teachers starting mid-way through a cycle, aiming to bringing their cycle into line with the cycle for other teachers as soon as possible? 
  • The head (or governing body in the case of the head) will determine whether the cycle will begin again for teachers transferring to a new post within the school/academy mid-way through a cycle, and whether to change the appraiser?

If you have concerns about your policy, there are things you can do!

  • Call or ask your rep to call a meeting of NUT and ATL members to discuss concerns over appraisal.
  • Agree changes you would like to see to the policy. The NUT's Appraisal toolkit will help you here. For more general guidance on appraisal, see here.
  • Get your rep to meet with the head to discuss improvements to the appraisal policy. If you don't have a rep, elect one!
  • If you are not getting anywhere, contact one of the Derby NUT joint secretaries, Kieran or Sue, by emailing secretary@city-of-derby.nut.org.uk or calling us on 01332 293 018. For urgent problems you can call or text 07929 043 415 (Sue) or 07947 668 268 (Kieran).

Comments

Post a Comment