When approaching challenging feedback discussions, consider these key principles:

• Name the specific issue (keep it to one)
• Give one specific example to illustrate the issue
• State your emotion
• Say what you feel is at stake
• Acknowledge your part
• Emphasise that you seek resolution
• Invite the person to give their take on the situation
• Listen – do not defend or argue
• Interact and stay focussed on the issue, not the personality
• Act reasonably – acknowledge rights and responsibilities

Feedback after a lesson observation should be structured, clear and constructive. Feedback should:

• Be rooted in mutual respect in a culture where we are all learning
• Celebrate what is good and great
• Not overwhelm the teacher with too much detail
• Precisely identify how the learning might be improved
• Be delivered through questions that enable the teacher to reflect

See more in our module Coaching to drive school improvement, created with One Education.