ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the way in which context, philosophy and values affect a school’s curriculum and evaluation. It does not offer ‘10 Top Tips’ for how to evaluate but rather gives some examples of good practice. The chapter focusses on self-evaluation in two English schools: Stanley Park High School is a secondary school with students aged 11–18 years in Sutton, which is a suburb of London. Sir William Burrough Primary School is a primary school with students aged 4–11 in inner London. Their stories illustrate what effective leadership makes possible in terms of self-evaluation even in a national system that places a heavy emphasis on external inspection. There are implications for school leaders no matter the national context.
