Using pupil progress to set appraisal objectives

Although it's not required, schools can use pupil progress to help set teacher performance objectives. Learn more about the legal requirements and how to use the data in a meaningful way.

Last reviewed on 8 February 2024
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 2722
Contents
  1. You don’t need to use pupil progress to set appraisal targets
  2. Don’t link pupil progress targets directly to pay
  3. How to set performance objectives based on pupil progress

You don’t need to use pupil progress to set appraisal targets

Maintained schools: appraisal of teachers and unattached teachers employed by a local authority (LA) must follow the Education (School Teachers' Appraisal) (England) Regulations 2012. Under the regulations, you're not required to use pupil progress targets to set teachers’ performance objectives. Instead, the regulations explain that any objectives you do agree must:

  • Contribute to improving the education of pupils
  • Contribute to the implementation of any plan of the governing board designed to improve educational provision and performance.

Academies: you don't have to follow the appraisal regulations linked above, but it's good practice to do so. This is set out in the DfE's model appraisal policy (page 4). Academy trusts set their own performance management policies and can choose whether or not to link teachers’ appraisal to pupil progress. Check your appraisal policy (if you have one) to find out what your arrangements are. 

Read more about appraisal requirements here