Ofsted could give schools just 150 minutes’ notice
Schools could get little more than 150 minutes’ notice before Ofsted inspectors arrive under plans for its new inspection framework, it has been suggested this week.
Inspectors would then prepare at the school for a formal inspection which would start the following day.
Ofsted is understood to be keen to ensure that it has an opportunity to see schools as they really are, however the news has angered a teachers’ leader who says schools should have at least 24 hours’ notice before inspectors visit them.
As reported in Tes this week, the new plans would see inspectors contacting a school by telephone before 10am and then arriving after 12.30pm on the same day. Currently schools are told on the afternoon before inspectors arrive, giving them the opportunity to prepare into the night before Ofsted enters their school.
The new regime could make a big practical difference to Heads, but it would not require Ofsted to reduce the formal notice period it gives schools because the actual inspection will not start until the following day.
Mary Bousted, National Education Union joint General Secretary said: “If this is what Ofsted proposes then I think school leaders will be concerned by it. It is clear this pre-inspection meeting will be an important conversation otherwise what would be the point of having it?
“Given the scale of change that Ofsted is proposing with its new framework, I think it is only common courtesy for school leaders to be given at least 24 hours before visiting to give them time to prepare and collect their thoughts.”
You can read the full story on Tes.