The role and performance of Ofsted - Education Committee Contents


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 SEF—Self Evaluation Form—schools 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 OFSTED action plans can lead to improvement, but generally have only one or two areas for development and will be out of date by the next inspection.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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