What is a sensible alternative to the current Ofsted inspection system?
Imagine a world where inspection was more of an MOT-process, allowing organisations to meet a minimum threshold, have strenghts and areas for development identified, and then be given the time to fix them ...
If you are reading this, I will assume you already know who Ofsted are; responsible for inspecting and grading educational institutions across England - a fundamental aspect of its role is maintaining standards.
What would you propose as an alternative?
I've spent the last 15 years writing about OFSTED
I am hugely encouraged by the material that I have just read. Thank you Ross, for keeping us informed and optimistic. Anyone that cares about the education of our children would abolish OFSTED and support an ‘MOT-type’ system. I simply cannot understand why this method of inspection was ever considered fit for purpose. It is not and never has been! I’m 67 years old in October and having retired early at the age of 58, have worked part-time as a supply teacher in the school where I was recently employed, just because I enjoy helping children learn. I feel so sorry for my colleagues who are struggling with the over-whelming workload and ever-increasing exhaustion. Something has got to change. I shall follow the progress of this blog with tremendous interest and optimism.
Thank you very much indeed, for everything you’ve shared with us since @TeacherToolkit began. Keep up the great work.
This is very thought provoking.
I think that safeguarding can never be a desk top analysis. This should be an annual visit with this single focus.
However, the pattern of progress results over the last 3 years would be a very good and easy desktop analysis, with room for plenty of nuance for the contextual nature of cohorts and the avoidance of gaming the system.
A school would only need the kind of ‘MOT’ inspection you mention once trends suggest they might need help.
Sadly, the unseen villain in this is Ofqual. If exams were held to a defined standard, it would be possible for every school in the country to improve, rather than the current system where the percentage of grades is set in advance. Progress 8 could then involve 100% of schools, in theory, making more than expected progress, compared to the current system where 50% of schools need to be positive, and 50% negative regardless of how much progress students have actually made.