ABSTRACT
The introduction to Transforming School Culture through Lesson Observation: A Collective and Collaborative Approach gives a broad overview of the three-stage lesson observation programme. It explores the key flaws in the current traditional system of lesson observation and why it can be so damaging. Traditional lesson observation practices are flawed in that they are a pre-planned attempt to gauge teacher effectiveness through a one snapshot process. Traditionally, lesson observations are intrinsically linked to appraisal and performance management, which breeds a culture of fear and suspicion. The introduction explains the current flaws and the reasons for creating a three-stage lesson observation programme that is a true reflection of teacher effectiveness. It explains that the focus of classroom observation is the emotional environment, which is innovative, separating itself from appraisal and performance management. The introduction describes each of the three stages of the lesson observation programme and describes how successful it has been over the past six years, the impact it has had, and the outcome of transforming school culture. The introduction also explains the context of each of the four parts of the book, including the lesson observation programme itself, chapters on emotional environment, school culture, the psychological contract and leadership traits, as well as how the data gathered from the process can be used to inform school development plans and school self-evaluation.
