Headteacher Appraisal

Maintained schools have a duty to appraise the performance of their headteacher on an annual basis. These reviews are delegated to a sub-committee of governors consisting of two/three members of the governing body and form a crucial part of the school accountability process.
In maintained schools the governing board must appoint an external advisor to support the performance management process.

It is the governors role to appoint an adviser, governors should take care that they appoint a suitably qualified advisor with a secure understanding of school improvement. Their role is to support governors in the evaluation process and to support governors in answering these key questions:

• has the headteacher met their current performance objectives ?
• how well has the headteacher performed overall? Are there concerns around performance?
• what should form the focus for the headteacher’s future objectives and how does this link to the overarching school priorities?
• what personal and professional development opportunities might benefit the headteacher?

Whilst the performance review should take place on or before 31 December each year, best practice is to complete reviews in September so that targets can be cascaded down through the leadership and have the greatest impact on your school plan priorities.

Many Trusts often appoint an external advisor and follow the same procedures as maintained schools.

• an external adviser is commissioned. This is usually the school adviser or similarly qualified individual
• the appraisal panel meets to discuss points to raise, making sure they understand the priorities within the school plan
• the external advisor meets with the headteacher
• the external advisor, headteacher and appraisal panel meet together
• the headteacher and appraisal panel meet
• the external advisor summarises the results of the meetings in a review document
• the appraisal panel makes recommendations about headteacher pay for other governors to make a decision about.

Boards in maintained schools have a statutory duty to appoint an external adviser for advice and support on the Headteacher's appraisal.

• A half day appraisal will include reviewing and setting targets and drafting bullet points for governors to write up.
• A full day appraisal will include a review and target setting meeting and writing report for governors' mid-year review.

We can also provide interim target setting for new leaders.