The Scottish advantage
The Scottish Government’s approach to school evaluation is a step ahead of its southern neighbour, argues John Pearce.
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A deep dive into Ofsted
What does Ofsted really mean by “deep dives” and “curriculum intent”? John Pearce translates and offers practical activities to ensure you’re ready.
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Are schools asking too much of their middle leaders?
A review of job adverts for department heads earlier this year revealed what skills and experience schools are looking for.
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Three-step preparation for inspection under the 2019 framework
Consistency will be an issue in the early days of the new Ofsted framework. Here are three steps to help schools prepare.
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2019 Ofsted Criteria: Straightjacket or improvement tool?
John Pearce explores how the new Ofsted framework can be used as a springboard for school improvement.
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2019 Ofsted Criteria: Start using it in iAbacus
iAbacus users – you now have a 2019 Ofsted template which you can customise to suit your local context and priorities.
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What we know about the new Ofsted framework
iAbacus recently attended a session explaining the proposed changes to Ofsted framework, from a senior HMI. This is what we learned.
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20/20 Vision: Looking back to move forward
In 2005 the DfES published the seminal Middle Leaders’ Self-evaluation Guide. What have we learned about middle leadership and self-evaluation since then?
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Leading a vision walk
If you are not sure how to get your team to buy into a vision, here is an activity that may help. It is also great professional development for everyone involved.
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ASCL magazine features iAbacus
We are delighted that Andrew Clay, Head of Counden Court School, was featured in the ASCL magazine, Leader, talking about how the school uses iAbacus to develop its middle leaders.
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Tackling work-related stress
There are a number of ways that schools can use iAbacus® to tackle the worrying issue of work-related stress. Here we outline three of them.
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Taming the HGIOS beast
School in Scotland – are you struggling to tame the HGIOS beast? iAbacus can help you to use HGIOS to self-evaluate your provision and develop action plans.
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Mining for gold: using data to improve performance
Most schools are flooded with data. The challenge is to quickly and easily identify which are the nuggets of gold that will help to improve performance.
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Four questions every HoD should ask about their department
Heads of departments/ faculty often know instinctively what their strengths and weakness are, but being so close to the action, it can sometimes make it hard to communicate that objectively in a department review and action plan.
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Are you an operative or a professional? These 5 questions will tell you
This blog is a serious challenge to professionals in and beyond education. How much time do you spend chasing targets set by others, versus time spent on things that you know will really make a difference to your school?
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How do you KISS? We’ll show you
When it comes to management information systems, more features and options often in reality means more complicated and more time-consuming. We want to show you a solution that is deceptively simple and effective.
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The BETT interview – how it all began
At the 2018 BETT Show, iAbacus co-founder John Pearce was interviewed about his career journey – including the ‘a-ha!’ moment that led to the creation of iAbacus.
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Judgement before evidence. How come?
We recently received a Tweet asking why the iAbacus process asks users to make a judgement before inputting evidence. It is a subject near to the heart of founder John Pearce. Here he explains why.
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How does iAbacus create and sustain transformational leaders?
Do you think more like a leader than a manager? Do you have a positive idea where your school is heading? Are you and, most importantly, are your colleagues confident about what is being done to maintain and sustain improvement?
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Reviewing and improving governance is easy with iAbacus
You know strong governance is critical, but do you know your governing board is as good as it could be? What are your options for reviewing and improving effectiveness? There are several things you could do. Commission an external consultant to do a...
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Did you know: iAbacus includes templates for 15 curriculum areas
As you know, the iAbacus process (see: www.iabacus.co.uk/model) can be used across all areas of school development using a range of templates. But did you know there are 15 templates designed specifically for subject leaders and heads of department. Like all templates...
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Build your capacity to drive improvement. OFSTED Inspection from September 2015
John Pearce, ex Headteacher, ex Ofsted inspector, now Freelance School Improvement Adviser and creator of iAbacus, reviews the new Ofsted Framework for September 2015 and is delighted to see that a leadership’s “capacity to drive improvement planning” is elevated to...
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Pupil Premium – Self-Evaluation and Action Planning
Educational Consultant Jasbir Mann points up key information about Pupil Premium and offers a Draft Self-evaluation and Action Planning template to help colleague headteachers and governors evaluate the impact of Pupil Premium and improve their plans for 2014-15. What...
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What is it about the iAbacus?
Gerald Haigh, freelance journalist, author of a number of educational leadership books and ICT guru, investigated the iAbacus and interviewed headteachers to uncover why it’s unique and innovative. The full article is available here:...
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The iAbacus goes to Dubai
Last month we highlighted our venture into Wales with the iAbacus mapped to the Estyn framework - this month we celebrate an exciting move further around the globe to Dubai. We now have senior leaders using the iAbacus, pre-populated with criteria from the Dubai...
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Improved PDF reports
Have you created a PDF report in your iAbacus account recently? If you have - you’ll have noticed that the front page now displays a full summary abacus showing all your judgements (just like the interactive abacus in your online account). This full abacus allows the...
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The iAbacus Improvement Model
Those of you who know John’s work will realise the iAbacus improvement model emerged from proven education developments in the late 1900s and early 2000s. Unusually, if not uniquely, it combines the emotional intelligence required in effective self-evaluation, action...
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This month’s focus iAbacus: Literacy
As you may already know, the iAbacus contains a template for the evaluation of literacy provision, designed to support subject leaders planning to improving provision and standards in literacy. The detailed criteria used in this template are from the Literacy...
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Schools in Wales – watch this space!
After John’s work training System Leaders in South Wales and a very successful networking event in Llandudno last month, we are on the cusp of launching an iAbacus customised for school self-evaluation in Wales using the Estyn Common Inspection Framework (CIF). This...
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No more flipping coins – it’s time to trust the iAbacus
At iAbacus we’ve always known that school improvement begins and ends with what teachers think and do. So, we’ve always worked alongside you and your staff. We didn’t stand over you hectoring you about what you could have done, or should be doing. We’ve always put...
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New subject-specific self-evaluation templates available
Have you seen the new subject-specific templates available in your iAbacus account? More importantly - Have you told colleague subject leaders about them? Each of the new templates is pre-loaded with the appropriate subject-specific criteria and guidance published by...
read moreFamous Five go to Ofsted (and the demise of lesson grades)
There is no doubt in my mind that what the Famous Five achieved in “Ofsted Grade-gate” is a real break-through. Well done all! ”No more grading of individual lessons”. I’m not sure it has sunk in yet. Certainly, we must reiterate, promote and further interpret the...
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No more Lesson Observation grades – John Pearce joins the OFSTED debate
Recently the press and social media have been full of news about the failure of OFSTED (or anyone) to accurately grade lessons. You may have seen from our tweets that John, originator of the iAbacus Model, has been busy adding a calm and reflective view to this...
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Bett Awards 2014 – “And the winner is…”
We’re delighted because, less than a year into our story, the iAbacus has been shortlisted for a prestigious Bett Award in the category for ICT Leadership and Management Solutions. So, next week, out come the dinner jackets and black ties as we head down to...
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This month’s focus: iAbacus for Governance
Effective School Governance is now a high profile national issue. Discussions about quality, the need for scrutiny and potential payment clearly relate to specific cases but the new regulations and guidance, compound the pressures on all Governing Bodies....
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Opportunities to work with us
In less than one year, the iAbacus is proving to be an exciting new tool with enormous potential. We know many of you share this view and we thank you for collaborating with us. We want to expand our network, explore wider thinking and yes, even share the rewards, so...
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A true story about performance management.
There's a low grumbling noise coming from the school hall. It's the sound of cautious chatter as the entire staff: teachers, teaching assistants and senior leadership team assemble for the highly anticipated session on 'setting objectives for appraisal'. With all the...
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Make appraisal a natural part of what we do…
Learning from theory, research and each other The bolt on inspection, observation or appraisal, undertaken in clip-board mode by an expert, “to improve performance” is usually mistrusted, often resented and even refused. This is because there is nothing more...
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Teacher Appraisal – Reassuring the unconvinced…..
You've invested time and energy in agreeing your school's Appraisal Policy. The document is printed the CPD booked - Job Done! The Summer break looms... and yet, there’s a nagging suspicion about unfinished business. You’ve met statutory requirements but have you won...
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Teacher Appraisal and Performance Management
Introduction: The release, on April 16th, of “Departmental Advice on reviewing and revising your school’s approach to teachers’ pay” is causing head teachers, senior...
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What do we want? Appraisal! When do we want it? Now!
Appraisal is self-evaluation shared. Why is there such little open debate and discussion about the impact of the new appraisal regulations in schools? Teachers tell me there is a lot of confusion amongst colleagues and head teachers, so why aren’t the BLOGerati and...
read moreOfsted & Lesson Grades – Considering judgements and moving to action
Introduction: In last week’s post: Famous Five go to Ofsted (and the demise of lesson grades) John Pearce shared important changes to Ofsted’s grading of teaching and learning. In this week’s follow up John considers the ramifications and argues for the profession to...
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The iAbacus – trains and beads and plans
Written in response to the comment, "Explain the iAbacus to me simply and don't use jargon!" Once upon a time... When I was little, I loved pushing a toy train, making those "chuff-chuff too-toot" noises. I was in that train embarking on some epic journey. Later, I...
read moreProtect us from external inspection and quality control!
Picture the scene….. We're working away on the iAbacus project and my business partner Dan is describing his motivation. I know what he is trying to say and I agree. It’s all about being enablers, facilitating the thinking of others, encouraging internal quality...
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What should we DO about numbers and judgements?
I often ask little people, “How old are you?” and they nearly always get it right, saying “I’m four!” often adding “and three quarters…” Then I add, “Four what?” Most are completely stuck. Cue laughter at the innocence of children, “Tee hee, they know they are four...
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