Memorandum submitted by D Baird, Nafferton
Primary School
1. PURPOSE
OFSTED has become an organisation that has grown
beyond its original brief.
In the new framework for example "Community
Cohesion" was added as an area to be inspected, it took a
long time to work out exactly what this was and how it was going
to be inspected. The first year of inspections went well with
most schools coming out as "Good" so the goal posts
were moved. If schools are doing it
(a) why did they inspect it in the first place;
and
(b) change the goal post.
We are wasting time pleasing OFSTED and not teaching
children.
2. IMPACT
As well as filling in the SEFSelf Evaluation
Formschools have a school improvement plan, it is this
document that moves a school forward not OFSTED. We have a duplication
of documents and the SEF does not work as a tool for improvement.
OFSTED action plans can lead to improvement, but generally have
only one or two areas for development and will be out of date
by the next inspection.
3. PERFORMANCE
Unfortunately lots of schools do not report poor
performance because they are so delighted the event is over. A
lot is down to the team you get.
4. CONSISTENCY
I suggest that you have look at the safeguarding
issue related to the height of fencing.
5. ROLE OF
OFSTED IN PROVIDING
GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY
At present we have termly meetings from school improvement
partners; these are people who know the school and the local area.
I find that these people hold schools and head teachers to account,
but they also provide guidance and support. I find that the School
Improvement Partner is helpful in moving the school forward, where
as OFSTED are an event that you get through and hope you survive.
September 2010
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