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Is Ofsted serving to or hindering college enchancment?
This new analysis sheds gentle on what Ofsted eleven former inspectors actually suppose of the present inspection course of.
In “Ofsted from Inside: Inspectors’ Views on Challenges and Future Path” (Tian and Diamond, 2024), many inspectors counsel the system has grown too centered on performative compliance moderately than supporting faculties of their progress.
Former HMI inspectors name for a extra balanced system, one which genuinely helps enchancment and collaboration moderately than compliance. They argue for an inspection course of that higher balances accountability with a collaborative method, so faculties can concentrate on educating and studying, moderately than tick packing containers.
The analysis argues that “many inspectors, performing as OfSTED’s messengers, are constrained by the prescriptive inspection framework.”
What do inspectors suppose?
Many academics know that Ofsted inspections deliver intense scrutiny and sometimes reshape how faculties function, however what do inspectors themselves consider these processes?
On this examine, inspectors categorical issues that present strategies have change into extra about compliance and box-ticking than real enchancment. Gaining perception into inspectors’ views is essential as a result of they’re key actors within the inspection course of and form how faculties and academics really feel about accountability.
The examine highlights that, because the inspection tradition has shifted in direction of a performative method, many colleges now function defensively, prioritising what appears good on paper over actual improvement.
What do inspectors say?
I’ve pulled out some quotes from inspectors on a variety of matters. Here’s what they are saying:
- OfSTED appeared to arrange its personal analysis machine. After which choose what supported the Chief Inspector’s arguments.
- The distinction between the predecessor framework and the 2019 framework was that OfSTED started to have a most well-liked type in sure areas.
- We’ve acquired examples of inspectors going into particular faculties and saying, ‘why aren’t they reaching within the phonics test?’. Properly, as a result of they’re nonverbal!
- And I do know faculties have dropped vocational programs due to this goal to get extra pupils doing E-Bacc. All the humanities and inventive topics have been seen as second-class topics!
- Cognitive science and the sequencing of curriculum. And I believe it (EIF) genuinely has overpassed youngsters.
Credit score: Tian and Diamond, 2024
Reflection questions for academics to contemplate
- How typically does the inspection course of in your college really feel supportive moderately than performative?
- What are the largest challenges your college faces in assembly Ofsted requirements?
- Do inspectors totally perceive your college’s distinctive context throughout evaluations?
- How will you empower workers to focus on the college’s strengths to inspectors?
- What steps may Ofsted take to help your college’s objectives extra successfully?
- What can leaders do to encourage a optimistic tradition round inspections?
- How does your college implement areas for enchancment after inspections?
- May peer evaluations assist put together for or alleviate inspection pressures?
- What advantages may a extra open dialogue with inspectors deliver?
- May inspection stress be affecting scholar and instructor efficiency? How can this be addressed?
Within the analysis, there’s one remark which stands out for me:
Something can transfer on, however single-word judgements need to be tackled first. The hyperlink now between inspection grades and fairly crude measures about what occurs to colleges is getting in the way in which of the entire function of inspection.
Obtain the full paper to study extra about these findings.
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