The parable of Ofsted consultants: don’t purchase the snake oil

by admin

Over the previous few years, inspection has modified significantly. Till 2005, a secondary faculty may count on a week-long go to from round 15 inspectors who could be wanting in depth at particular person topics throughout the curriculum. Lately, most secondary faculty inspections are a one-day go to from a few inspectors – only one for many primaries – which usually happen round each 4 years.

We have now additionally modified and improved the best way we talk our aims for an inspection. With the Ofsted myth-buster, blogs, movies, webinars, newsletters, roadshows, different occasions and conferences, we now have made clear our expectations. We have now debunked misconceptions and clarified what we have a look at on inspection. One results of these adjustments is that inspection is now way more about dialogue between inspectors and the management crew of the varsity or school. Typically classroom lecturers don’t even meet an inspector throughout an inspection.

Pupils and teacher at a biology lesson

And but – the profitable business that sells faculties session into ‘what Ofsted needs’ and ‘preparation for Ofsted’ appears to thrive. ‘Save 5 hours workers time a day’ they promise. ‘Dramatic leads to simply 10 weeks’ are provided. Leaders from throughout the nation report that their inboxes are stuffed with gives from session corporations promising to take them by the brand new Ofsted training inspection framework (EIF). I’d prefer to be a fly on the wall at certainly one of these periods, provided that we’re but to seek the advice of formally on the content material, not to mention really perform inspections utilizing the brand new framework. Please, don’t hand your silver to those Mystic Megs.

Our surveys, in addition to anecdotal information from many different sources, present that a few of this coaching or session has been about bettering leads to the shortest potential time. Our new framework strikes away from data-driven accountability, which I hope will counteract a number of the market forces that may pressurise faculties to drive up attainment in a method that doesn’t embed kids’s long-term studying.

Pupils in a chemistry lesson doing an experiment.

Involving faculty leaders

We’ve spent the previous few months speaking to management groups across the nation concerning the improvement of the brand new framework – and listening to what they should say. We’ve spoken to many, many headteachers, lecturers, governors, unions, religion teams, charities, multi-academy belief leaders, additional training principals and others. We’ve listened to their issues and brought their concepts on board. This work implies that faculty leaders are already effectively ready and are sharing their information concerning the new framework with workers. In fact, we’ll proceed to replace and inform as we transfer by the formal session interval, to reporting on views from it, and into the following section of implementation.

A wealth of knowledge

We have now simply revealed a set of curriculum movies and workshop supplies for faculties and additional training and abilities primarily based across the EIF and the curriculum. Please make good use of them.

There’s already a wealth of different info out there for faculties from Ofsted. Our shows are on-line. Our e-newsletter, blogs and social media channels are full of details about all facets of our work. Our steering and handbooks are all on GOV.UK. You need to use any of our content material (not together with logos) freed from cost in any format or medium you want underneath the phrases of the Open Authorities Licence – that’s, we’re very pleased so that you can use it however please don’t alter it or move it off as your individual.

We have now seen many examples over time of our personal info, re-branded with a brand new brand and totally different typeface, on the market by consultants. Don’t give them your public cash!

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