Looking at Our School 2016: A Quality Framework for Primary Schools
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Background to Looking at Our School 2016
Looking at Our School (LAOS) 2016 was published by the Inspectorate in 2016 and replaces the 2003 self-evaluation guide for schools called Looking at Our School. LAOS 2016 can be used by schools when engaging in the School Self- Evaluation process.
What is Looking at Our School 2016 (LAOS 2016)?
LAOS is a quality framework that provides schools with a comprehensive picture of quality teaching and learning and quality leadership and management. It supports teachers, school leaders and others in identifying excellence in their schools as well as supporting them in identifying areas for improvement. The LAOS document can be used as a reference point for schools to “look at” different aspects of their work and how they can improve the quality of their teaching and learning and also within the area of leadership and management. Schools have autonomy to use the document as a guideline - an aid to point them in the right direction for authentic self reflection.
How is LAOS 2016 structured?
LAOS starts by focussing on two dimensions of the work of schools, namely
Teaching and learning
Leadership and management
These dimensions are subdivided into domains. The domains identify four key aspects for each dimension.
The domains are further expanded on through a set of standards. Each domain has a set of four standards that identify the behaviours and attributes characteristic in an effective, well-functioning school.
For each standard, statements of practice are identified at two levels
- statements of effective practice and
- statements of highly effective practice.
Statements of effective practice describe practices operating at a competent and effective level. Statements of highly effective practice identify very effective and successful practices.
For primary schools click here to access the Looking at Our School 2016 publication which contains a full explanation of the highlighted terms (Page 8-9) and an overview of the quality framework (Page 12).
How can schools use LAOS 2016?
LAOS 2016 can be utilised by schools in the following ways
Reflection (as a whole school activity or by individual teachers on their practice)
Developing and sustaining teachers and leaders
Recruitment - to ensure that selection boards and interviewees have a clear understanding of their responsibilities as teachers and school leaders
Professional development across the system
Transparency, accountability and improvement
As a mechanism for involving student and parental voice for school improvement
How can individual teachers use LAOS 2016?
Teachers can use LAOS 2016 in the following ways
As a tool for teachers’ self-reflection and as a support in the development of their own teaching by identifying areas of effective and highly effective practice within their own classroom as well as identifying areas for improvement
Provide a structure for peer reflection between teachers
As a talking point to generate discussion and analysis of teaching and learning
As a planning tool for teachers
