Headteacher appraisal: setting objectives
Use our guidance and examples to help you set challenging, SMART objectives for your headteacher to support their professional development and drive school improvement.
Contents
Know the rules
Requirements for maintained schools
If you're on the board of a maintained school, you must set objectives for your headteacher each year. You'll do this in consultation with your external adviser.
Objectives must contribute to:
- Improving the education of pupils
- Advancing your school improvement plan
Requirements for academies
The above regulations don't apply to academies, though your trust may choose to follow them. If you're in an academy, look to your teachers' appraisal policy for guidance.
Requirements for union members
If your headteacher is part of a union, familiarise yourself with the union's expectations for appraisal.
For example, the National Education Union (NEU) and National Association for Head Teachers (NAHT) have jointly issued a model appraisal policy which includes guidance for setting objectives.
Understand what makes a good objective
Good objectives are SMART
Specific Do the objectives