School self-evaluation : can headteachers meet the new challenge?

Plowright, David; Godfrey, R

Abstract

School self-evaluation is now being used in many international contexts in order to contribute to raising standards of pupil achievement. This paper narrows the focus down to secondary school leaders in England and how well they use the new Ofsted online self-evaluation form (SEF) to evaluate their own leadership and management activities. More controversially, it investigates how well they understand the impact of leadership and management on raising standards and contributing to school improvement. Findings indicate that a number of positive features were seen in how head teachers completed the online SEF. However, a number of limitations were identified that reduced the SEP authors' effectiveness in making accurate judgements. The latter included the problems associated with demonstrating cause and effect links between leadership and pupil outcomes, an issue that many experienced academic researchers have struggled with for a considerable amount of time.

Citation

Plowright, D., & Godfrey, R. (2008). School self-evaluation : can headteachers meet the new challenge?. International studies in educational administration, 36(3), 35-58

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2008
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2014
• Journal: International Studies In Educational Administration
• Print ISSN: 1324-1702
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 35-58
• Keywords: REF 2014 submission*
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/468635
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2014