Ofsted - Taking Control

Andrew Read

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Share the first-hand experience of others

Ofsted – Taking Control offers a practical approach to preparing for inspection. Written by a trained inspector and school governor, the resource has been developed in conjunction with other inspectors and headteachers who are all familiar with the inspection process and have first-hand experience.

By gaining a detailed understanding of the working formula adopted by inspectors operating under the new, two-day, intensive Framework, we were able to prepare a strategy that best presented the strengths of the school – and even ‘second-guessed’ the likely areas of focus. All in all, we were much better placed to cope with the exhausting speed and intensity of the inspection.

Governor

A real help

Designed to help you be confident, well-informed and thoroughly prepared, Ofsted – Taking Control helps identify the evidence which inspectors are likely to seek. In the short and intense process that comprises a new-style inspection, evidence is crucial – particularly how it is presented in your SEF. By making sure that such evidence is readily available, the headteacher can ensure the school has a fair and accurate inspection.

Support and guidance

Ofsted – Taking Control offers a realistic view of how an inspector is likely to apply the inspection criteria to your school and how you might best prepare. To do so, it refers directly to the various guidance documents issued to inspectors by Ofsted on how to use the evaluation schedule and write up a report.

In essence, it can help you to demonstrate that your school is:

• effective – fundamentally achieving in most areas
• self-aware – conscious of areas of weaker provision
• proactive – constantly improving.

Be prepared

It is clear that even before notification of an inspection, it is vital to have the following in place:

• A plan of action in the worrying few days before the inspectors arrive
• A contingency plan of ‘standby support’ for the senior management team
• An understanding of:
  • what to expect from the crucial pre-inspection briefing (PIB)
  • the mandatory judgements that inspectors are required to make
  • how inspectors report on these judgements.
• A well-prepared armoury of self-assessment, consisting of:
  • your school’s own judgements, based on the criteria used by the inspectors
  • a document that matches your self-evaluation (including the self-evaluation form) to the inspection judgements
• An understanding of the feedback process, enabling:
  • constructive, confident and evidence-led responses to judgements which seem inaccurate
  • an articulate and professional dialogue, using the language and criteria of the common inspection schedule.

Free CD-ROM included

Ofsted – Taking Control consists of focused guidance and information, along with a range of forms, checklists and handouts. In addition, a free CD-ROM is included, offering presentations and other digital files for use with all staff. The whole resource carries a full site licence, enabling you to photocopy or network the material throughout your institution.

Contents

• Introduction

Background

How you can take control

How to use this pack

• 1 Overall effectiveness
• 2 Standards and progress
• 3 Personal development and well-being
• 4 Quality of provision
• 4a Care, guidance and support
• 5 Leadership and management
• 6 Every Child Matters compliance
• Glossary
• The accompanying CD-ROM
• References