Explain what appraisal is and how it fits within performance management
A practical course on running the full staff appraisal cycle: preparing well, holding coaching-style conversations, setting SMART objectives, and giving and receiving feedback fairly. Includes a self-check on your coaching habits and a scenario on handling a defensive response to feedback.

What you will be able to do
- Explain what appraisal is and how it fits within performance management
- Prepare thoroughly for each stage of the appraisal cycle
- Hold coaching-style conversations and set SMART objectives
- Give and receive feedback confidently and fairly
- Reflect on your own appraisal practice and set a personal commitment to improve it
What is inside
8 modules, 11 lessons, built to be applied at work.
Introduction
- Welcome to Excellent Appraisals4 min
What is Appraisal?
- Defining appraisal and performance management8 min
The Benefits of Excellent Appraisals
- The benefits of excellent appraisals7 min
Preparation for and Excellent Practice in Appraisals
- Preparing for excellent appraisals8 min
The Appraisal Conversation, Part One
- Coaching skills for the appraisal conversation8 min
- Setting clear, SMART objectives7 min
The Appraisal Conversation, Part Two
- The mid-year review of progress5 min
The Third Appraisal Conversation
- Giving and receiving feedback well7 min
- Avoiding the pitfalls9 min
Final Thoughts and Conclusions
- Bringing it all together6 min
- Course review8 min
A credential you can prove
Finish the course and earn a 1.5 CPD hours certificate with its own public verification page. Share it on LinkedIn or attach it to an application; anyone can check it.
Taught by someone who does the work
Education leadership consultant, Promoting Excellence Ltd
- Promoting Excellence Ltd, education leadership consultants
- Specialist in inclusive and adaptive teaching
Peter Rushton is an education leadership consultant with Promoting Excellence Ltd. He works with schools and colleges to develop inclusive cultures and excellent mixed ability teaching, drawing on the latest Ofsted framework and Education Endowment Foundation research.