H A N D B O O K Continuous Professional Development Aims Peer review cycle Self review Choosing a mentor Initial meeting Confidentiality and trust Observation Review meeting and Target setting Completing the feedback form Follow-up and regular reviews Appendix and Forms CONFIDENTIALITY AND TRUST The aim of any peer review is to encourage our peers to recognise their gifts and for all of us to work together towards improving our teaching and management skills. We believe the best framework to achieve this aim is through peer review partnerships in which there is total confidentiality and trust between the two members of staff. It is hoped that this system will enable staff to move forward positively; that each member of staff will be able to focus on specific aspects of their job and gain help and encouragement from their mentor and possibly through INSET. If there is a breakdown in trust at any stage of the review then it is likely that the mentee will not feel able to be open and frank about their difficulties and aspirations. This, of course, is not beneficial to any individual member of staff or the development of the whole school. Therefore the following guidelines are given for each part of the review: Self review This should be an honest self-evaluation carried out in the knowledge that you will be able to choose any aspect (however negative) to discuss confidentially with your mentor. Choice of Mentor This must be someone whom you trust and respect. Initial meeting Any notes taken should be totally confidential. The scope of the observations should be defined and agreed upon by the partnership. Observation The observation should only be carried out within the defined limits and any notes taken should be totally confidential. If the observation requires talking to any other member of staff this should have been previously agreed and the interview set within the prescribed limits of the initial meeting. Review Meeting and Target Setting Observations and any information gained by the mentor are confidential within the working partnership. No information from this meeting should be divulged to anyone without the explicit consent of the mentee. Feedback Forms The feedback on these forms should be agreed by the working partnership. The forms should be completed jointly by you and your mentor. One feedback form is forwarded to your HOD and the SMT. The other form is kept by you as a personal record of your review, your targets and your development needs.