An evaluation framework for appointing a head of department or subject leader, testing middle leadership: leading a subject and a team, not just teaching well. 2026 edition, aligned to the Ofsted Schools Inspection Toolkit (for use from September 2026), Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and the Teachers' Standards, drawing on the NPQ middle-leadership areas.
What's inside
- Sections covering getting to know you; subject and curriculum leadership; securing consistently good teaching across the department; pupil achievement in the subject; assessment and use of data; managing and developing a team; behaviour and attendance within the department; professional development; and safeguarding
- A 1 to 5 scoring rubric describing what each level of answer looks like
- A safeguarding section scored Met or Not met, with KCSIE 2026 prompts
- Space for panel notes and section scores for each panel member
11-page PDF, suitable for secondary schools and for subject leader roles in primary.
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