observing lessons, assessing learning


1. How do I conduct myself…?

  • try to be as unobtrusive as possible
  • as you enter, take time to get a feel for what’s going on
  • listen to pupil conversations
  • don’t talk to pupils while the teacher is teaching
  • look at pupils’ work – it’s key evidence
  • remember to take brief notes

2. Focus on the learning not just the teaching….


3. Consider Planning and Preparation:

  • Differentiation
  • Challenge for all
  • Use of resources
  • Deployment of additional adults
  • Needs of all learners and groups
  • Cross curricular links
  • Literacy and language development
  • Subject knowledge

4. Consider behaviour for learning:

  • Motivation?
  • Engagement?
  • Enthusiasm?

And the teacher’s role in securing the above.


5. How effective are the selected Teaching and Learning strategies in supporting learning? Is there a better strategy that could have been selected…? Think about:

  • Questioning - high order, challenging, open, targeted
  • Pupil talk – opportunities and expectations
  • Opportunities for independence
  • Teacher demonstration or modelling
  • Guided work

6. What opportunities can you see to develop pupil independence and resilience?

  • Learning environment – display
  • Access to resources
  • Encouraging pupil talk
  • Problem solving
  • Learning from mistakes
  • Teacher modelling

7. Are all children making progress and how do we know?

  • Look in books
  • Talk to pupils
  • Pace
  • In the lesson…? Over time…?
  • Groups (eg SEND, pupil premium, more able…?)

8. Ask pupils:

  • What are they learning today? (not what are they doing…)
  • How do they know if they are making progress?
  • How do they receive feedback? How useful?
  • How do they act upon feedback?
  • Do they know what they need to do next to improve?

9. What is the climate for learning?

  • Relationships..?
  • Quality of resources...?
  • Environment..?
  • Atmosphere..?

10. Does the lesson reflect the policies/ethos and priorities of the school?

e.g. Evidence of:

  • Marking and feedback..?
  • Seating plans..?
  • Questioning...?
  • Learning Walls…?