School Review

1. The School Review process

Phase 1: Pre-review self-evaluation

Schools should consider data and gather evidence on their performance and practice outcomes, with a focus on:

• student voice
• agency and leadership, and curriculum content
• teaching practice.

The pre-review self-evaluation (PRSE) report must provide evidence, including enablers and barriers, to support their evaluation of the FISO Continua of Practice.

Phase 2: Preparation meeting

The principal, senior education improvement leader (SEIL) and reviewer co-develop the process for classroom observations or focus groups on Validation Day. The Panel members will test and observe the school’s practices with regard to student voice, agency and leadership; curriculum content; and teaching practice.

The Panel should view a broad cross-section of classrooms. They may also be allocated to specific classes.

Phase 3: Before the review

To prepare for the Validation Day, Panel members familiarise themselves with the PRSE report. That includes considering evidence about, and reflection on, the school’s practices in the areas of student voice, agency and leadership; curriculum content; and teaching practice.

Phase 4: Validation Day

The Panel members undertake classroom observations to enable them to test findings included in the PRSE Report. They will do this by focussing on the elements of the instructional core. The Panels’ views will contribute to determining the school’s level of proficiency against the FISO Continua for the 6 high-impact improvement initiatives. It also guides the remaining review phases by informing the development of terms of reference (ToR) focus questions, methodology, and fieldwork.

Phase 5: Fieldwork

Fieldwork includes classroom observations and focus groups. It explores the ToR and focus questions. Fieldwork further investigates and tests the school’s practices in student voice, agency and leadership; curriculum content; and teaching practice. Fieldwork also enables the Panel to identify any other areas requiring more in-depth exploration.

Phase 6: Final School Review Panel Meeting

As part of its broader discussions, the Panel discusses the school’s practices in:

• student voice, agency and leadership
• curriculum content
• teaching practice.

Panel members consider the instructional core when determining directions for the next School Strategic Plan, including goals setting, targets, and key improvement strategies (KIS).

Phase 7: Review Report

The Review Report provides evidence of the school’s practices in:

• student voice, agency and leadership
• curriculum content
• teaching practice.

It evaluates the school’s progress against the goals, targets and KIS of the School Strategic Plan.

The report determines the school’s proficiency in all 16 dimensions of the FISO Continua and makes inferences about the enablers and barriers.

Phase 8: School Strategic Plan

The Review Report forms the basis of the new School Strategic Plan.