Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI): overview
Self-evaluation and improvement processes are fundamental to school effectiveness. The Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI) aims to support all schools to develop and use a range of approaches and resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for all learners in Wales. It has been developed through a process of co-construction by education practitioners from across the nation. These include school leaders, Estyn, the regional consortia and local authorities. In addition, the OECD provided input during the early stages of the resource’s development. We are grateful to all for their valuable contributions.
Alongside the development of the Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI), the Welsh Government has published school improvement guidance, which sets out a new framework for evaluation, improvement and accountability. Aligning with the Curriculum for Wales, the framework emphasises learner progression and well-being, and articulates the Welsh Government’s vision for successful schools.
Under the new framework, effective self-evaluation is the starting point for evaluation and improvement work, with schools’ performance evaluated using a wide range of evidence and information, that covers the breadth of school activity.
The practical strategies presented by the Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI) will help schools put into practice the principles of evaluation and improvement set out in the school improvement guidance.
As a digital resource, the Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI) provides a strong platform for the development of a sustainable, self-improving education system in Wales. It aligns with and complements other national initiatives including the development and implementation of a Curriculum for Wales. These resources aim to support the development of schools as learning organisations.
The Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI) promotes a culture of continuous professional reflection, dialogue and learning. It is not a tick list of questions to be asked or jobs to be done. It provides a menu of approaches, reflection prompts and resources, organised into a user-friendly hierarchical structure for schools to select, adapt and use in their own context. It emphasises the importance of evaluation and improvement processes and reduces the status of documentation.
Following the publication of the resource, we will continue to work in partnership with schools and education professionals to ensure it continues to meet their needs, making refinements based on feedback received
Video: trailer for the Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI)
Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI) in context
The Evaluation and improvement resource (NR:EI) plays a key role in supporting schools in developing the Curriculum for Wales. It also supports schools as they develop to become learning organisations, providing additional detail to support self-evaluation processes that underpin the professional learning journey.
Effective evaluation of teaching and learning, at the core of the resource will also support schools in engaging with the pedagogy conversation through the national pedagogy project.