An updated PP of the ABACUS self-evaluation an planning tool and introducing The iAbacus on-line version at www.iabacus.co.uk

1. © 2013
The ABACUS and iABACUS
a qualitative approach
to self-evaluation
© John Pearce 2011 originated in Westfield School, Sheffield March 2006
The iABACUS http://www.opeus.com/iabacus© 2013

2. The ABACUS and iABACUS
If you are interested in the ideas here
contact me…
john@johnpearce.org.uk
also www.johnpearce.org.uk
and twitter @johnpearce_JP

3. © 2013
Please watch this Power Point in
slide-show mode for the benefits
of animation

4. © 2013
PLANRE PLAN
DO
REVIEWREVIEW
DO
I M P A C T ?
EVIDENCE?
The ABACUS and iABACUS are simple tools to aid the
self-evaluation (action research) process….

5. © 2013
The next slides concentrate on using the ABACUS and iABACUS on
whole school provision using current 2012 Ofsted criteria for England.
However, they may be used with other clear criteria and have been
used successfully, as planning tools, using: head teacher
standards, student achievement levels, behaviour issues and personal
objectives in life coaching. The iABACUS is an application that
enhances the process for use on computers and tablets, including the
iPad.
In a leadership role the ABACUS and iABACUS may be used to
explore where you and school, or department/area want to be (right
hand box) and how to get there… A key issue therefore is for
colleagues to be precise about current performance and future
expectations… being good or better are not criteria. “All students feel
safe”, “Increasing Level 5s to 90%” and “increasing out of hours
activities” are criteria. (see the Ofsted evaluation schedule for criteria)
When leaders work hard at identifying precise and relevant success
criteria, the planning process is more logical…
Notes

6. © 2013
The SEF (Self Evaluation Form) in England
tested the capacity of school leaders to
make judgements about provision and
then identify action to progress…
Typically, evidence was studied first, in
order to form a judgement in each area.
However the ABACUS and iABACUS
encourage teachers and leaders to
trust their professional
judgement, start with it and then look
for evidence to prove it.

7. © 2013
THE ABACUS and iABACUS PROCESS
ENCOURAGES YOU TO:
1. Make your judgement
2. Justify, or modify your judgement, the light of
evidence and the judgement of others.
3. (Most important of all), identify the
appropriate action to get you …
Where
are you
now?
Where
you
want to
be

8. © 2013
questions the ABACUS and
iABACUS process enables…
1. What is going well and what not so well?
2. What have you done about each of these?
3. What was the impact of what you did?
4. So, what are you planning to do next?
4
Questions any intelligent enquirer might ask:
Colleagues, Middle/Senior Leaders, LA
colleagues, Governors, Parents, Students, Ofsted / HMI

9. © 2013
Self-evaluation Abacus © John Pearce 2006
OutstandingGoodRequires
Improvement
InadequateCriteria for judgement
Slide the beads to where you judge
the school to be on each criteria
Compare judgements with
colleagues
Discuss evidence that challenges or
supports each judgement…
Then agree the judgement.
Note: The green beads are arguably
the most critical in achieving
sustained improvement
If you find the judgement difficult - use
Ofsted Criteria to help you decide
NB These are the four areas
in the 2012 Ofsted Framework
evaluation schedule
The SEF is not statutory (it
never was) so schools can add
their own criteria

10. © 2013
Self-evaluation Abacus © John Pearce 2006
OutstandingGoodRequires
Improvement
Inadequate
An example school…
Note the overall
pattern of beads
In this example
(based on a real
school) a new
leadership team
has yet to make a
difference to
standards but they
are having an
effect on ethos –
so, they
are, arguably, dem
onstrating a
capacity for
improvement.

11. © 2013
Self-evaluation Abacus © John Pearce 2006
Inadequate Requires
Improvement
Good Outstanding
Pupils' achievement
When the judgement is agreed –
imagine a vertical line – this is
your current position

12. © 2013
Self-evaluation Abacus © John Pearce 2006
Quality of leadership & management
Inadequate Requires
Improvement
Good Outstanding

13. © 2013
Helping factors? Hindering factors?
What I have done has made me what I am
What I will do will make me what I will be
Weaken the hindering forces
Strengthen the helping forces
Where
are we
now?
Where
do we
want to
be?

14. © 2013
Force field planning…. (based on Kurt Lewin 1948)
CURRENT
HELPS HINDERS
FUTURE
SuccessCriteria
helps
helps
hinders/barrier
hinders/barrier
Identify what helps and hinders in your CURRENT
situation, locking you to where you are. Now, weaken the
hindering forces and strengthen the helping forces. You will
then move closer to your success criteria… The ABACUS
planning sheet allows you to create detailed, prioritised
plans…. (separate handout)
See ABACUS Planning
Sheet to aid this process

15. © 2013
Self-evaluation Abacus © John Pearce 2006
OutstandingGood
Requires
Improvement
Inadequate
BLANK FOR COMPLETION
NAME: Date:

16. © 2013

17. © 2013
The iABACUS is now on-line and available at www.iabacus.co.uk