ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on Stage 1, the lesson observation itself, as part of the three-stage lesson observation programme. The chapter explores what the objectives of the Stage 1 lesson observation are, including the focus on the emotional environment of the classroom. The objective of Stage 1 lesson observations is to remove the fear and suspicion of traditional lesson observations and ensure that all lessons are delivered to an excellent standard all the time and not just planned to the nth degree as pre-planned traditional lesson observations tend to be. The chapter takes the reader through the process of setting up and communicating the process of a Stage 1 lesson observation and who is involved in its delivery. This chapter also captures the initial lesson observation questionnaire completed by pupils and staff during implementation of the programme in 2014. The results of the first year’s data are analysed, including a comparison of pupil and staff perceptions of the emotional environment within the classroom, perceptions of classroom management and also teaching and learning. Pupils were also asked to rate the typicality of the lesson observed and this revealed that in the early years of the three-stage lesson observation programme, staff were still ‘turning it on’ when being observed. Subsequent years’ analysis revealed that the typicality of standard of delivery in all lessons was consistent with those that were observed.
