INTRODUCTION

Moderated Middle Management Self Review (MMMSR) provides a flexible and systematic approach to support school self-evaluation and school improvement. ”Leading from the middle” is seen as fundamental to a school’s capacity to develop and sustain improvement over time.

It draws on national standards for Subject Leaders on the National Strategies and work from the National College of School Leadership and as such, is based on a reliable and current framework for school improvement. MMMSR is reviewed and up-dated annually in the light of feedback from schools and in response to the developing national agenda.

The MMMSR process is applicable at many levels and across phases. All the sections can be used at Core subject level, and some sections can be used by teams or working groups, including whole school teams. It is hoped that the materials will be self-explanatory and allow Core and General Subject Leaders in Primary and Heads of Department in Secondary to use an appropriate range from the materials. The outcomes should support planning at a developmental level, which may be captured in a Linked Development Plan (LDP).

THE MMMSR APPROACH

We believe that this approach offers considerable benefits to schools because it:

• Provides a clear agenda for professional debate and development;
• Provides a common framework for discussion and internal moderation between the school leadership team and individual middle managers;
• Encourages middle managers to systematically review what they are doing and to plan for improvement on the basis of this analysis;
• Enables middle managers and their team members to evaluate the standards and quality of education provided, in a way that links into the whole school self evaluation process including MSSR;
• Supports the creation of a linked development plan that complements and reflects the School Improvement Plan;
• Helps individuals and teams to identify and build on their strengths;
• Helps school leaders identify and share best practice across the school;
• Identifies clearly-focused professional development needs which will support Performance Management;
• Supports middle managers in discussions with external agencies.