SSE Resources - Board of Management

School self-evaluation (SSE) is a collaborative, inclusive, reflective process of internal school review. During school self-evaluation the principal, deputy principal and teachers, under the direction of the board of management and the patron and in consultation with parents and students, engage in reflective enquiry on the work of the school.

It is an evidence-based approach which involves gathering information from a range of sources and making judgements with a view to bringing about improvements in students’ learning. Self-evaluation requires a school to address the following key questions with regard to an aspect or aspects of its work:

• how well are we doing?
• how do we know?
• how can we find out more?
• what are our strengths?
• what are our areas for improvement?
• how can we improve?

Circular 0039/2016and the School Self-Evaluation Guidelines 2016-2020 Primary give guidance to schools and boards of management on the requirements of the second cycle of SSE. Many boards of management have chosen to place School Self-Evaluation as a standing agenda item at all board meetings.

The primary focus of self-evaluation should not be on the written work. Nonetheless, schools should complete a concise school self-evaluation report and school improvement plan annually. The self-evaluation report and school improvement plan set out clearly what needs to be done out clearly what needs to be done to further improve the work of the school.

The board should ensure that the school provides a summary of their self-evaluation report and the school improvement plan to the whole school community. This single document should be brief, clear, and meaningful.

School Self-Evaluation