“A critical friend can be defined as a trusted person who asks provocative questions, provides data to be examined through another lens, and offers critiques of a person’s work as a friend. A critical friend takes the time to fully understand the context of the work presented and the outcomes that the person or group is working toward. The friend is an advocate for the success of that work”- Costa, A. and Kallick, B.(1993
At schoolED we understand that a critical friend is an educational professional who is committed to helping an educator or school improve.
As a critical friend we will be someone who is encouraging and supportive, but who also provides honest and often candid feedback that may be uncomfortable or difficult to hear. We agree to speak truthfully, but constructively, about weaknesses, problems, and emotionally charged issues. We currently work as ‘challenge partners’ in many schools and you can be assured of our Confidentiality – Commitment – Reliability
Our consultants as critical friends will become someone:
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you trust and respect
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you have a strong relationship with,
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who provides honest and critical feedback
They are:
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a skilled observer and listener
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able to ask provocative/stretch questions
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able to provide balance between support and challenge
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willing to take the time to develop an understanding of your school context
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used to providing different perspectives/fresh eyes
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experienced in critique utilising higher order thinking
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available
