Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

Deb Gajic

CPsychol

AFBPsS

d.gajic@sky.com

Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• This workshop is for existing or aspiring Heads of Psychology who wish to move their departments to outstanding. It will look at how to review, evaluate and improve the teaching and learning in the department.
• We will discuss how to use data to plan an outstanding curriculum. Finally, examine how to move the department to consistent levels of outstanding teaching and learning and take away strategies to tackle underperforming staff in your department
• This workshop will allow you to learn how outstanding leadership of a psychology department can be achieved and how to make sure that it leads to exceptional outcomes.
• There will be plenty of opportunities to share good practice.

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• What makes an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department?

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Self-Evaluation – How effective is your Dept?
• Where do you get that evidence from?
• Observations
• Learning walks
• Results
• Book Trawls
• Student opinion questionnaires (www.surveymonkey.com
• www.socrative.com)

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics!
• There are numerous different systems used to calculate value added data
• Don’t be afraid to ask for training in these systems especially if you move to a new school/college and are unfamiliar with them
• There will be someone (often an examination officer or Senior management) with overall responsibility for this
• If you aspire to Senior Management a thorough understanding of data is essential

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• ALIS
• ‘ALIS is the original member of the family of value-added monitoring systems run at the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) at Durham University. ALIS uses GCSE data and its own alternative baseline tests as measures of ability, against which to measure. This enables ALIS to provide predictive data and value-added analyses specific to each student and each subject studied.’ http://www.cem.org/alis/introduction
• MidYIS KS3, INSIGHT KS4

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• ALPS
• ‘ALPS is founded on the principle that all schools and colleges should aspire to match the achievements of the top quarter of schools and colleges. Through its use of benchmarks, ALPS gives a clear sense of the levels being achieved by the very best schools and colleges nationally.’
• http://www.alps-va.co.uk/

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Fischer Family Trust (FFT)

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• ‘An FFT estimate is simply a starting point for estimating what level or grade a pupil might attain in the future. The FFT estimates provided to schools show both estimated levels and grades for specific subjects as well as the ‘chance’ or likelihood of achieving a range of results. Estimates should always be used as a starting point to support realistic, aspirational target setting. It is important that schools also use a range of other data, professional knowledge and discussions with pupils and parents when setting targets.’
• http://www.fft.org.uk/

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• PiXL 6

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• www.pixl.org.uk
• Personalised Learning Checklists (PLCs)
• Red, Amber, Green
• Diagnosis, Therapy, Test
• Fine grading e.g. C1 = could be a B on a good day, C2= solid C, C3= Hopeful C!

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• More and more schools and colleges are now moving to in-house systems based on previous performance. For 6th form this is GCSE results.

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• MEG – Minimum expected grade
• TAG – Target aspirational grade

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• AQA – Enhanced Results Service (ERA) www.aqa.org.uk
• OCR – Interchange www.interchange.ocr.org.uk
• Pearsons– Results Plus http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-for-you/results-for-teachers.html
• Eduqas/WJEC – Secure Website www.wjecservices.co.uk
• Your examination officer will be able to supply you with a login

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• National Psychology Results
• https://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results/a-levels/2017/main-results-tables/a-as-and-aea-results-summer-2017

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• How could you use this data?

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Don’t be afraid to question results
• Request top, middle and bottom scripts as exemplars
• Use as Department moderation exercises
• Become an Examiner – best CPD ever!

Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Internal Data Analysis
• Keep a central spread sheet with data from all end of topics tests for all students in all groups
• Have a whiteboard in your office with grades and students photographs, use it to focus discussion in meetings on student progress
• Ask staff to explain any underachievement and the intervention steps they are taking
• Ask ‘What can I do to help?’

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Internal Data Analysis
• Keep records of all intervention, issues, emails sent etc. which may pertain to student underperformance
• You will need evidence of what you did
• Dept central evidence file, update at Dept meetings

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Observation
• Ensure you know all of your staff and all of the students they teach
• Operate an open door policy where learning walks are the norm
• Encourage staff to come into your lessons
• Be transparent, consistent and fair – just as you would be with students
• Ensure your vision and expectations are crystal clear

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• How would you summarise an Outstanding lesson?

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Summary: -
• Evidence of progress
• Engaging, interesting and informative
• Clear learning objectives
• Students on task
• Clear assessment opportunities linked to lesson outcomes
• Good use of resources
• Range of activities
• Good classroom management
• Student centred, not teacher led
• Differentiation etc……

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Problems and Issues with Staff
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help-Senior management are paid more than you for a reason!
• Know when something is beyond your power and expertise – Refer
• If in doubt ask!
• Don’t leave yourself open to allegations and complaints
• Always behave professionally

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Tricky Conversations
• In pairs either role play or discuss the scenario you have been given, after 10 minutes you will feedback to the whole group: -

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• What is real issue?
• Can you resolve the issue?
• What action do you need to take?
• What targets would you set?
• Do you need to involve anyone else?
• Do they violate any of the Teacher Standards?

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Scenarios
• 1) A student complains that teacher A makes inappropriate sexual comments in class
• 2) A parent complains that teacher B often cancels classes and doesn’t set homework
• 3) Teacher C’s results are the worst in the whole Dept, they argue that it’s because they always get bottom sets
• 4) You observe teacher D and their lesson is a clear 3 (requires improvement), they are adamant that it is at least good, if not outstanding
• 5) On completing a work trawl it is clear that teacher E is not marking work regularly and when they do mark they do not give detailed feedback

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Scenarios
• 6) You notice that teacher F is often late in the morning and always leaves as soon as the bell rings
• 7) Teacher G is not following the Scheme of Work, you are worried they won’t finish the specification in time for the examinations
• 8)Teacher H refuses to write resources and argues that it is your job as Head of Department
• 9) Teacher I tells you that they can’t attend Open Evening as they have childcare issues
• 10)Teacher J posts on social networking sites have been bought to your attention, they could be considered inappropriate or ill advised

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Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• Plan your curriculum
• Don’t be afraid to change the specification and/or optional topics taught
• Look at comparative results
• Consider the specialisms and expertise of your staff
• Mix it up, so different members of staff teach different topics every few years – keeps it fresh

Strategies to become an ‘outstanding’ Head of Department

• So:
• Have you achieved what you hoped from this workshop?
• Do you have a clearer idea of where you want to be in 5 years time?
• Do you know what steps you need to take to enable you to fulfil this goal?
• Do you know what makes an ‘outstanding’ Head of Dept?

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Plenary

• What are your experiences?
• Sharing good practice
• Any questions?
• Thank you

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