ABSTRACT
We have made clear throughout this book that we believe appraisal must be integrated into the school development plan and become a cornerstone of staff development policy. Every school we have come into contact with is striving to become more effective and to offer every member of its community the opportunity to really be part of a learning organisation. This does not mean we believe every person may want to be a part! In our terms a learning organisation means a number of things:
All people in the organisation are given the opportunity to learn naturally while they are working and are supported in doing so by structured, well-managed processes and systems which enable people to learn in a variety of ways.
Everyone is able to engage in a review process which is clearly aimed at identifying their developmental needs and how these can be met along with meeting those of the organisation. This process provides the opportunity for giving and receiving constructive feedback on performance.
The organisation is clearly, publicly and visibly committed to valuing learning for all, as a significant way of achieving its objectives.
The organisation clearly, publicly and visibly values learning for its own sake.
All people in the organisation are easily able continuously to manage change for the benefit of all members of their organisation.
Many schools are already well on the road to becoming learning organisations as described above. However, some schools are also struggling to become learning organisations for all, ie all employees and all pupils. The first group of employees we will consider are the newly qualified teachers.