THE SIX-POINT SCALE
LEVEL 6 |
EXCELLENT |
outstanding or sector leading |
LEVEL 5 |
VERY GOOD |
major strengths |
LEVEL 4 |
GOOD |
important strengths with areas for improvement |
LEVEL 3 |
ADEQUATE |
strengths just outweigh weaknesses |
LEVEL 2 |
WEAK |
important weaknesses |
LEVEL 1 |
UNSATISFACTORY |
major weaknesses |
The quality of what you observe within each indicator can be judged against six levels.
In the complex context of education there are many ways in which provision can merit a particular evaluation. We need to bear in mind that awarding levels will always be more of a professional skill than a technical process. However, the general guidelines on the following pages should be consistently applied.
An evaluation of excellent applies to provision which is a model of its type. Children’s experiences and achievements are of a very high quality. An evaluation of excellent represents an outstanding standard of provision which exemplifies very best practice and is worth disseminating beyond the centre. It implies these very high levels of performance are sustainable and will be maintained.
An evaluation of very good applies to provision characterised by major strengths. There are very few areas for improvement and any that do exist do not significantly diminish the children’s experience. Whilst an evaluation of very good represents a high standard of provision, it is a standard that should be achievable by all. It implies that
it is fully appropriate to continue to make provision without significant adjustment. However, there is an expectation that the centre will take opportunities to improve and strive to raise performance to excellent.
An evaluation of good applies to provision characterised by important strengths which, taken together, clearly outweigh any areas for improvement. An evaluation of good represents a standard of provision in which the strengths have a significant positive impact. However, the quality of children’s experiences is diminished in some way by aspects in which improvement is required. It implies that the centre should seek to improve further the areas of important strength, but take action to address the areas for improvement.
An evaluation of adequate applies to provision characterised by strengths which just outweigh weaknesses. An evaluation of adequate indicates that children have access to a basic level of provision. It represents a standard where the strengths have a positive impact on children’s experiences. However, while the weaknesses are not important enough to have a substantially adverse impact, they do constrain the overall quality of children’s experiences. It implies that the centre should take action to address areas of weakness while building on its strengths.
An evaluation of weak applies to provision which has some strengths, but where there are important weaknesses. In general, an evaluation of weak may be arrived at in a number of circumstances. While there may be some strengths, important weaknesses will, either individually or collectively, be sufficient to diminish the children’s experiences in substantial ways. It implies the need for structured and planned action on the part of the centre.
An evaluation of unsatisfactory applies when there are major weaknesses in provision requiring immediate remedial action. The children’s experience is at risk in significant respects. In almost all cases, staff responsible for provision evaluated as unsatisfactory will require support from senior managers in planning and carrying out the necessary actions to effect improvement. This may involve working alongside other staff or agencies in or beyond the centre.