ABSTRACT
A well-prepared middle leader will have analysed subject specific data in detail and be able to talk confidently about overall progress, the progress of groups, and, if necessary, the progress of particular individuals. Senior leaders will have had access to most of the data, though they are unlikely to have looked at detailed examination board data, and they will have undoubtedly compared the performance of each subject area across the school. Most annual reviews include discussion of the school development plan and the department’s response to it, and most schools now insist that departments create their own development plans. The annual subject review is an opportunity for senior managers and governors to interrogate middle leaders about the performance of their subjects, but it is also an opportunity for middle leaders to demonstrate the effectiveness of their self-evaluation skills. Effective middle leaders use the annual review to martial evidence of performance, evaluate the work of their departments, and plan for improvement.
