Leading and Managing the Implementation of PRSD in Schools
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Slide 2
Session 1 -
Session 2 -
Session 3 -
Session 4 -
Context for PRSD in schools
Overview of PRSD scheme
Initiating, implementing and sustaining PRSD in the school
Conclusion
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
• part of a wider agenda of educational change
• linked to school development planning
• focused on continuing professional development
• building on existing practice in SDPR, Threshold Assessment and other school-based policies
• to be operational from September 2005
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
• an agreed scheme
• linked to school development plan
• applicable to all qualified teachers (except teachers in induction and EPD)
• an annual review cycle with three stages
• roles and responsibilities for
– employing authorities / boards of governors / governor reviewers / external advisers / principals / teachers
• to be reviewed after two years
Slide 4
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
This conference will
• show you how PRSD fits into the wider educational picture
• explain what PRSD offers schools
• provide an overview of the annual review cycle
• explore the processes of the scheme for principals and teachers
• give you time to consider the PRSD’s most important elements
• help you put a PRSD scheme in place in your school and be aware of connections to associated school policies/procedures
• signpost resources for supporting school based training for teachers
Slide 5
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
This conference cannot
• consider whether or not there should be a PRSD scheme
• deal with specific matters relating to pay and affordability
• deal with specific matters relating to Employing Authorities
• give you detailed information about every aspect of the scheme
• answer every question you might have about PRSD
• tell you how you put PRSD in place in your school
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
Slide 8
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

ET Strategy
Post
Primary
Review
Curriculum
Review
SENDO
Citizenship
Demographics
Literacy
Strategy
LMS
Curran
Inquiry I & II
Together
Towards
Improvement
Numeracy
Strategy
Slide 9
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
• it connects school development planning and performance review
• it allows school priorities to be aligned with the professional development needs of staff
• it gives professional development programmes coherence and direction
• it enables a staff development programme to focus on building confidence and capacity
• it helps schools to be better equipped to respond to the challenges they face
• it contributes to school improvement
• it helps schools make better provision for their pupils
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• it applies to all except beginning teachers
• it focuses on continuing professional development
• it is directly linked to the school’s development plan
• it establishes a rigorous annual review process
• it provides for personal professional development
• it makes classroom/task observation part of the overall process
• it enables decisions about career progression and pay to be informed by reliable evidence
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders
Session 1

Slide 12
exploring the potential of PRSD time - 10 minutes
Timer
Reference
Conference Workbook
Page 7
Session 1
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• exploring the benefits of PRSD
• time – 15 mins
Reference
Conference Workbook
Page 9
Session 1
Timer
Slide 13
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

High
High accountability culture
High Performance
Culture
Slide 14
Low
Low
Low performance culture
High staff development culture
High
Performance Development
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 1
• establishing a sense of what PRSD can do in your school and the benefits it can bring
• understanding PRSD, the review process and its implications for all those involved
• preparing for the introduction and implementation of PRSD and the review process
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Slide 16
Timer
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Key documents that will be referenced during this session
PRSD Scheme (located in Handbook Appendix I)
PRSD Guidance issued by Employing Authority (located in
Handbook Appendix II)
RTU PRSD Workbook for this conference
Slide 17
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme – Vision Statement)
Session 2
The scheme’s vision statement says that it is integral to the school development planning process
• recognises the significant skills, abilities and experience of teachers
• will foster their continuing professional development
• will seek to provide for all pupils the highest quality learning and teaching
Slide 18
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 2.1)
Session 2
The scheme declares that it aims to
• recognise the contribution of teachers to achieving the aims of the school development plan and help them to identify ways of enhancing their skills and performance
• identify the professional needs and necessary resources to support teachers in their professional development and career progression
• increase teachers’ participation in decision-making and career planning
• develop in teachers a greater sense of control over their work
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 2.1)
The scheme goes on to state that it seeks to
• enhance the quality of education
• inform the management of schools
• improve teacher morale and motivation
• be seen by staff as enabling
• be manageable and minimise bureaucracy
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders
Session 2

Session 2
If the scheme’s aims are to be achieved, the review process in schools must be built on the following
- professionalism
- confidentiality
- sensitivity
- openness and transparency
- equity and fairness
- trust and confidence
Reference:
PRSD Handbook (Section 4.4)
Slide 21
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 2.2 & 4.1)
Session 2
Reference
PRSD Handbook
Section 3.3
Initial Review Meeting
Monitoring and evidence gathering
Review discussion and review statement
Review statement
Annex
Slide 22
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 4.2 to 4.4)
• setting 3 objectives
• criteria
• SMART
• centrality of school development plan
• recording the objectives
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

School Vision Statement
School Aims
School Development Plan
Goals
Objectives a statement of the actions to be taken to achieve a SMART detectable difference in a particular area
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 2
• The Code of Practice notes that the reviewer
– must be familiar with relevant policies
– should have access to a range of background information relevant to the reviewee’s wider professional responsibilities
– should be provided with a copy of the reviewee’s job description
Reference
PRSD Handbook
Appendix III
Slide 25
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• Establishing Objectives for a Performance Review
• Time - 20 minutes
Timer
Reference
Conference Workbook
Page 16
Session 2
Slide 26
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 2
Issues arising from the second workshop activity
• Some guidelines to consider
- remember that it is a new and unfamiliar process
- keep to the PRSD scheme
- use the additional guidance materials
seek agreement, but ……..
- accept that it will take time to get it right
- keep the bigger picture in mind
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Reference
PRSD Handbook
Flow Chart
Appendix
(PRSD Scheme 2.2 & 4.1)
Session 2
Initial Review Meeting
Monitoring and evidence gathering
Review discussion and review statement
Review statement
Annex
Slide 28
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 4.6 & 4.7)
Session 2
• collection of information carried out in accordance with agreed Code of
Practice
• relevant to the three review objectives
• on the basis of consultation between reviewer and reviewee
• reviewees are expected to co-operate fully with any reasonable request for appropriate information
• purposes
assist dialogue in the review discussion
monitors progress towards achieving objectives
• classroom and/or task observation required
• conforms to fundamental principles
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 4.7)
Session 2
• part of the review process for everyone
• occurs on 2 occasions – of a maximum period of 1 hour and to take place prior to the review discussion
• related to the objectives set at the initial meeting
• designed to provide relevant evidence
• conducted in a manner consistent with fundamental principles
• value of agreed protocols for monitoring and observation established at the initial meeting
• use of observation recording documentation
Slide 30
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 2
• familiarise yourself with the sample classroom observation proformas
• how relevant are they to your own particular school situation?
• what are the issues you might now have to consider?
Time 5 minutes
Slide 31
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Reference
PRSD Handbook
Section 3.3
(PRSD Scheme 2.2 & 4.1)
Session 2
Initial Review Meeting
Monitoring and evidence gathering
Review discussion and review statement
Review statement
Annex
Slide 32
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 4.8) & (PRSD Guidance 3.12)
Session 2
• When it happens
• Who attends
• Where it happens
• What the purposes are
– establish the reviewee’s performance against the objectives set
– review the extent to which objectives have been achieved
– discuss the reviewee’s career aspirations
– to note any personal/professional development needs arising
– to agree an action plan to meet these needs
– to identify three objectives for the next review cycle
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 2
Some suggestions for conducting the review discussion
– establish purpose of review
– consider job description
– affirm the positive aspects of reviewee’s performance
– review the extent to which objectives have been achieved
– discuss reviewee’s professional development needs and career aspirations
– explore areas for development and establish the objectives for the next review cycle
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

(PRSD Scheme 4.9 to 5.8)
Session 2
• An agreed record of the conclusions of the review discussion
- prepared by the reviewer
- agreed by the reviewee
- signed by both
- a brief and concise summary of the outcomes of the discussion
• Prepared within 10 working days of the review discussion
• A confidential document
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Review discussion, review statement and setting objectives for next cycle
Review statement
Annex
Slide 36
Monitoring and evidence gathering
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• completing the review statement
• Time – 20 minutes Reference
Conference Workbook
Page 21
Session 2
Timer
Slide 37
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 2
• establishing three objectives and the criteria that apply
• centrality of the school development plan
• value of school-based protocols
• importance of the reviewer’s role
• a new process, needing careful introduction
• sources of further information, guidance and support
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Slide 39
45 minutes
Timer
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Key documents that will be referenced during this session
PRSD Scheme (located in Handbook Appendix I)
PRSD Guidance issued by Employing Authority (located in
Handbook Appendix II)
RTU PRSD Workbook for this conference
Slide 40
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• Employing Authorities
• Advisory and Co-ordinating Group
• Boards of Governors
• Governor Reviewers
• External Advisers
• Principals
• Reviewers
• Reviewees
Slide 41
(Handbook 6.1)
(Scheme 1.5)
(Handbook 6.2)
(Handbook 6.2)
(Handbook 6.3)
(Handbook 6.4)
(Handbook 8 and 9)
(Handbook 6.5)
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• Assisting the Board of Governors to prepare and implement a performance review policy (PRSD Scheme 1.2)
• ensure the professional development and performance of teachers is reviewed annually in accordance with the scheme
(PRSD Scheme 1.3)
• Acting as a reviewer (PRSD Scheme 3.1)
• Assigning reviewers (PRSD Scheme 3.1)
• Being a reviewee (PRSD Scheme 3.2) This will be dealt with in more detail at the governor reviewer conferences
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• Coordinating the annex to the review statements for the purposes of planning/providing the T&D of teachers (PRSD Scheme 5.4)
• To ensure that the scheme is operated equitably and fairly for all
(PRSD Scheme 8.1)
• Establishing links between PRSD and other policies and prcedures
• Co-operating with any quality assurance or external monitoring procedures (PRSD Scheme 9.1)
• Provide school based training on PRSD for teachers in their school – similar to the Threshold model of school-based training
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• duty of Board of Governors to prepare (PRSD Scheme 1.2)
• in consultation with teachers (PRSD Scheme 1.2)
• Model School Policy
Some suggestions
– Keep to the requirements of the scheme and guidance information from the Employing Authority
– Conform to existing arrangements for consultation within your school
– Present to Governors for formal adoption
Slide 44
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• the school’s development plan is central to the effectiveness of
PRSD in each school
• the school development plan is frequently referred to throughout the scheme involving the Board of Governors, principal and teachers
• the objectives for principals and teachers must relate to the school development plan (PRSD Scheme 4.2 & 4.4)
• training and development needs identified through the scheme are reflected in the school development plan (PRSD Scheme 1.4)
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• Boards of Governors designate a minimum of two reviewers to review the principal (PRSD Scheme 3.2)
• principal designates the reviewer of a teacher
(PRSD Scheme 3.1)
• wherever possible the reviewer should have curricular responsibility for the teacher (PRSD Scheme 3.1)
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• collection of information other than observation
(PRSD Scheme 4.6)
Session 3
Reference
PRSD Handbook Appendix III
Slide 47
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• this scheme shall operate fairly and equitably for all
(PRSD Scheme 8.1)
• used positively to promote equality of opportunity
(PRSD Scheme 8.2)
• this scheme shall comply with equality legislation in Northern Ireland
(PRSD Scheme 8.3)
Slide 48
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• Development plan
• Staff development plan
• Salary Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Equal Opportunity policy
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• Board Of Governors and principal required to comply with any QA and external monitoring procedures (PRSD Scheme 9.1)
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A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

PRSD
Scheme
School
PRSD
Policy and procedures
High
Performance
Culture
Slide 51 initiating implementing sustaining
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• School’s level of readiness
• Time - 20 minutes Reference
Conference Workbook
Page 29
Session 3
Timer
Slide 52
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• What happens next, Checklist to guide action
• Time 25 minutes
Timer
Reference
Conference Workbook
Page 32
Slide 53
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Slide 54
Conclusion
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

• Exceptional closure day for training teachers
• Similar to the Threshold model of In-school training
• Possible format
Why we are doing it
What it involves
How it will be done
• After the training day, issues for further attention, eg timetabling arrangements, data availability, reviewee development, record keeping, etc
Slide 55
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders
Session 3

• Implementation timeline (end of workbook)
• School based PRSD professional development resources
– A resource pack available through RTU website (available from mid-March)
– Developing reviewer capability to support PRSD (an on-line programme available from mid- March)
Slide 56
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Session 3
• recognise that while it is a new process, there are important foundations - SDPR & Threshold
• similar processes for other policies may already exist in your school
– EPD / PQH(NI) / SDPR / Threshold / IiP / Teacher Induction
– IEPs / Education Maintenance Allowances EMAs / pupil target setting, etc
• consider evidence based school research and findings and their implications for school leaders in implementing PRSD
Slide 57
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Conclusion
This conference set out to
• show you how PRSD fits into the wider educational picture
• explain what PRSD offers schools
• provide an overview of the annual review cycle
• explore the implications of the scheme for principals and teachers
• give you time to consider the scheme’s most important elements
• help you put a performance review process in place in your school
• provide resources for supporting school based training for teachers
Slide 58
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Conclusion
• travel claim forms
• evaluation forms
• sub-cover claims
• sources of further support - www.rtuni.org
Slide 59
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders

Slide 60
A Conference for Principals and Senior Leaders
Conclusion