An Inspector Calls - Feedback on an OFSTED Inspection Question & Answer Session

An Inspector Calls

Feedback on an OFSTED Inspection Question & Answer Session

This session recently organized by the Small Schools’ Support Group involved five small school head teachers, who had experienced an inspection under the new framework last term, sharing their experiences with colleague heads with additional contributions ‘from the floor’.

Initial Contact

The name ‘Tribal’ has replaced the dreaded ‘brown envelope’! The time scales involved ; phone call  Thursday, inspection Tuesday ; phone call Monday, inspection Thursday. A log-on code is given and warning of a telephone conference with lead inspector which usually took place later the same day. This gave some pointers to focus of the inspection with the PANDA looming large. Immediate tasks involved :-

Distributing Parent Survey

Arranging interviews

Ensure that you are not teaching as constant reference is made to the Head.

Contact your Link Adviser.

Inspection Team

One or two inspectors seems the norm but one inspection involved three. The attitude and general tone of inspections appear to be as variable as before ; some dogmatic and some open to negotiation and discussion.

Documentation

Pre-Inspection Briefing   Can be available as late as 12 hours before the

the inspection and should be read very carefully.

SEF                                                 This is crucial and should address specific questions

and include evidence trails. Justify all evaluations with evidence. Ensure that you update it regularly.

PANDA                                         Ensure that you have your own analysis available.

‘Value Added’ & tracking progress are important.

Previous Inspection                         This will be referred to and issues raised pursued.

Work Samples                               Demands varied from examples in each subject/year

group to specific subjects/end of Key Stage samples. Have portfolios/samples readily available.

Planning                                          Teachers’ planning was not required in most cases

except for any lesson observed.

Parent Survey                                 Make sure you have done a PS of your own recently

particularly if you think you are due an inspection.

Interviews

Personnel involved and length varied enormously and included :-

Head – Early morning

Chair and Vice Chair of Governors

Staff – Subject Leadership

Parents/Children. Remember that parents can ask to speak to an inspector.

Classroom Observations

Head may be asked to pre-rank teachers.

At least one paired observation to check Head’s judgment.

Can last up to 30 minutes but will not be a full lesson.

Differentiation important – Meeting needs of individuals

Briefings

To whom, how long and in what detail very variable.

Staff briefings held at lunchtime generally.

Head, Senior Teacher and Governor at end of day.

Report

Draft Report should be received within 5 days. You return it with comments.

Letter to pupils should be received at the same time.

Final Report should be available within 10 working days. Read it carefully as

there can be discrepancies. In one case, the Final Report appeared on line before the Head had received a hard copy! One school is still waiting for Report 5 weeks after the inspection!

Church Schools should contact their Diocese.

Draw up Press Release.

The short time between notification and inspection demands a ‘Be Prepared’ approach by the school. Ready availability of documents and information will impress inspectors who are themselves under timescale pressures.