Should lesson observations be graded?

Should lesson observations be graded?

It is well established that observation grades cannot be awarded on a valid or reliable basis and should not, therefore, be used to form judgements about the performance of individual teachers, particularly in the context of schools’ performance management arrangements. …

What makes an outstanding lesson Ofsted criteria?

OFSTED defines an outstanding lesson as one in which pupils are: Inspired, engaged and motivated. Keen to contribute to the lesson, asking relevant questions and debating the topic with enthusiasm. Interacting productively with each other as well as the teacher.

Do Ofsted do lesson observations?

Ofsted has abandoned graded lesson observations as neither valid nor reliable, yet many colleges have not, despite research showing the grades are invalid and unreliable. Helpfully, Professor Robert Coe of Durham University has scrutinised the research on graded lesson observations.

Are lesson observations effective?

Do lesson observations improve pupil outcomes? Rather than increasing the number of observed lessons, researchers suggest that observing lessons in conjunction with other ways of improving teaching, such as CPD courses or peer feedback, would be more effective.

Do Ofsted grades have individual lessons?

∎ Ofsted does not award a grade for the quality of teaching or outcomes in the individual lessons visited. Inspectors do not grade individual lessons. Ofsted does not expect schools to use the Ofsted evaluation schedule to grade teaching or individual lessons.

How do you write a lesson observation?

Effective lesson observations

1. Having a focus. Before you watch a lesson, it is always a good idea to have a focus for the observation.
2. Making notes. Reams and reams of notes aren’t as helpful as you may think.
3. Think outside the (comments) box.
4. Feeding back.
5. Achieving targets.
6. Further information.

How do you write a lesson observation report?

Write a review of the classroom lesson’s content. Observe and comment about the clarity and variety in the presentation of the lesson’s main ideas, the presentation of supporting information, the lesson’s relevancy and the demand for students to engage in different types of thinking as part of the lesson.

What are Ofsted requirements?

Grade 1: Outstanding (the school must ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ in all judgement areas). Grade 2: Good (the quality of education must be at least ‘good’ to qualify for this). Grade 3: Requires improvement (previously ‘Satisfactory’). Grade 4: Inadequate (one or more judgement areas are graded as inadequate).

How long do Ofsted lesson observations last?

The initial methodology developed for inspection observations contained eighteen indicators (the full list is towards the end of this blog), and lesson visits, as Ofsted are now calling them, were planned to last 15 to 30 minutes in length.

What should you look for in a lesson observation?

Tip 1 – Observing the teacher

• Have they got a good rapport with their students? What are they doing to achieve this?
• What’s their body language like?
• How well do they know their students?
• Are they keeping the momentum of the lesson going?
• Are they anticipating any issues and dealing with them before a problem arises?

When did Ofsted stop using the observation grade?

In light of the serious limitations of grading individual lessons, Ofsted discontinued the use of lesson grades in school inspections in 2014. While this decision contributed to a decline in the prevalence of this practice in schools, the NASUWT is aware that observation grades continue to be used in some instances.

How does Ofsted grade the quality of teaching?

‘Ofsted does not award a grade for the quality of teaching or outcomes in the individual lessons visited. Inspectors do not grade individual lessons. Ofsted does not expect schools to use the Ofsted evaluation schedule to grade teaching or individual lessons.’

Do you use Ofsted inspection criteria for EYFS?

Ofsted doesn’t expect you to use its inspection criteria to grade lessons. However, if you want to refer to it when carrying out lesson observations, including for EYFS lessons, use our template forms. The Key has taken great care in publishing this article.

Can a teacher be awarded an observation grade?

It is well established that observation grades cannot be awarded on a valid or reliable basis and should not, therefore, be used to form judgements about the performance of individual teachers, particularly in the context of schools’ performance management arrangements.