OFSTED's proposal to change how results of schools' inspection are presented, are out for consultation but already have been quite heavily criticised.

A bigger issue is while the proposals present a change in messaging they do little to address the real problem of inspectors' behaviour & accountability the lie at the heart of much of the serious disquiet & complaints about OFSTED's conduct.

Until that is addressed, the rest is just window dressing!

#OFSTED #schools

https://theconversation.com/ofsted-report-cards-are-a-superficial-change-the-inspectorate-needs-a-culture-shift-249037

Here's Green Party spokesperson, Vix Lowthion on OFSTED, just in case the mainstream media have forgotten to quote them on the current arguments about reform of the assessment regime for schools.

Instead of "Attention needed" and "causing concern", how about "Additional support needed" and "Significant support needed" because more support/funding is the only way to make these creaking services better.

#teaching #education #ofsted #uk

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/feb/03/ofsted-new-school-report-card-worse-than-old-system-say-headteachers?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

OFSTED's shift from a single word judgement on inspections to an 8 item score card (assessing, achievement, leadership & governance, curriculum, developing teaching, personal development & wellbeing, attendance, behaviour & attitudes, and inclusion), with colour-coded indicators has not gone down quite as well as they might have hoped.

Critics in schools have immediately labelled this a Nandos approach (likening it to the hotness ranking at the restaurants).... oops

#schools #OFSTED
h/t FT

hmmm.. OFSTED's answer to criticism(s) of a single ranking for schools once inspected, is to use the same device, but across 10 schools' activities.

The 10 proposed areas of assessment are:
curriculum,
teaching,
achievement,
leadership,
behaviour & values,
attendance,
preparation for next steps,
opportunities to thrive,
inclusion & belonging, and safeguarding.

While this will provide a scorecard approach, the bigger issue remains the conduct of inspectors!

#OFSTED #schools
h/t FT

OFSTED is ending single headline judgments (for state schools with immediate effect, for private schools, later).

Grades will be reported across the existing four areas of assessment: quality of education, behaviour & attitudes, personal development, and leadership & management.

But, of course, schools will tot-up these scores to offer a numerical headline... which will allow a more fine-grained local ranking but no doubt will quickly also have social implications!

#schools #OFSTED
h/t FT

The majority of further education college staff want an end to Ofsted inspections.

A new UCU report, 'A culture of fear and anxiety: UCU members' perceptions of Ofsted inspection in further education', exposes a crisis of confidence in the Ofsted process. The findings show college staff experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to Ofsted inspections, creating a major health and safety risk.

https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/13562/Survey-shows-most-college-staff-want-to-abolish-Ofsted-inspections?utm_source=Mastodon&utm_medium=Social

Education is anarchy
What should we teach, to whom, how best should we do it, and why?
https://freedomnews.org.uk/2024/01/10/education-is-anarchy/
#Anarchism #Education #Ofsted #Summerhill

So, a new Education Policy Institute report finds that the key correlation between the staff at a #school & getting a 'good' #OFSTED report is actually having an OFSTED inspector on the staff...

Once might say that this means they are better informed about the intricacies of the practice of inspection.... a cynic might suppose that having an insider on staff helps you game the system to the school's advantage.

Such schools are 3x less likely to get a 'bad' result.

h/t Torsten Bell (Observer)

Speaking as a former school Governor
Yes there is a culture of fear..
No it is not generally a positive and affirming experience for schools, even those who come away with a positive #OFSTED Oinspection outcome.

Ofsted chief admits to ‘culture of fear’ around England’s school inspections | Ofsted | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/apr/23/ofsted-chief-amanda-spielman-admits-to-culture-of-fear-around-englands-school-inspections

I know many #teachers at local #schools in the #LuneValley and I have seen how an #OFSTED inspection plays out.... the mental costs are extreme & the tales of inspectors who do not understand the specific character of some schools' work are common.

I know my friends are not trying to escape accountability when they argue for a new (collaborative & engaging) infection regime.

Its time to reform OFSTED, shifting the emphasis to collaboration rather than judgement if we want to support schools