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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'No notice' school checks plan | 'No notice' school checks plan |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| School inspections in England could take place with no notice under plans being drawn up by Ofsted. | School inspections in England could take place with no notice under plans being drawn up by Ofsted. |
| The chief inspector of Education in England Christine Gilbert has said she is "looking at the practicalities" of such a scheme. | The chief inspector of Education in England Christine Gilbert has said she is "looking at the practicalities" of such a scheme. |
| At the moment, schools normally receive a few days notice but there is concern that some put on special lessons. | At the moment, schools normally receive a few days notice but there is concern that some put on special lessons. |
| Teachers say the change would mean a return "to the old days of a lack of trust and respect for teachers". | Teachers say the change would mean a return "to the old days of a lack of trust and respect for teachers". |
| They, along with head teachers, have complained about the stress of the inspection procedure. | They, along with head teachers, have complained about the stress of the inspection procedure. |
| Speaking to the Schools Select Committee at the Commons, Ms Gilbert said: "We are considering representations from parents and pupils that inspections should take place without any prior notice. | Speaking to the Schools Select Committee at the Commons, Ms Gilbert said: "We are considering representations from parents and pupils that inspections should take place without any prior notice. |
| "We will look at the practicalities of no-notice inspection as part of our planning for the new school inspection framework. | "We will look at the practicalities of no-notice inspection as part of our planning for the new school inspection framework. |
| "At the heart of any new arrangements will be the observation of teaching and learning by skilled and knowledgeable inspectors." | "At the heart of any new arrangements will be the observation of teaching and learning by skilled and knowledgeable inspectors." |
| 'Lighter touch' | 'Lighter touch' |
| Ofsted recently moved to shorter notice inspections, which have met with the approval of many schools and the Conservatives, who said they were more likely to catch failing schools. | Ofsted recently moved to shorter notice inspections, which have met with the approval of many schools and the Conservatives, who said they were more likely to catch failing schools. |
| These "lighter touch" inspections usually last just two or three days, with schools being inspected at least once every three years. | These "lighter touch" inspections usually last just two or three days, with schools being inspected at least once every three years. |
| In the past, schools were typically given a few weeks notice of an inspection, although schools which were struggling faced extra checks at short notice. | In the past, schools were typically given a few weeks notice of an inspection, although schools which were struggling faced extra checks at short notice. |
| No notice inspections would take us back to the old days of a lack of trust and respect for teachers | No notice inspections would take us back to the old days of a lack of trust and respect for teachers |
| Steve Sinnott, NUT | Steve Sinnott, NUT |
| At the moment, the chief inspector can order an inspection at no notice if there are "concerns about the safety or well-being of pupils in a school". | At the moment, the chief inspector can order an inspection at no notice if there are "concerns about the safety or well-being of pupils in a school". |
| Martin Ward, of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said: "No-notice inspections will not move the inspection system a great deal further forward in terms of effectiveness. | Martin Ward, of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said: "No-notice inspections will not move the inspection system a great deal further forward in terms of effectiveness. |
| "Rather, Ofsted should consider the bigger question of whether to do away with mandatory inspection altogether." | "Rather, Ofsted should consider the bigger question of whether to do away with mandatory inspection altogether." |
| The organisation has said schools should have a "desk audit", on the basis of which a decision should be taken as to whether an inspector needed to visit at all, so that the best schools and colleges would no longer need onsite inspections. | The organisation has said schools should have a "desk audit", on the basis of which a decision should be taken as to whether an inspector needed to visit at all, so that the best schools and colleges would no longer need onsite inspections. |
| Steve Sinnott, general secretary of National Union of Teachers (NUT) said: "No notice inspections would take us back to the old days of a lack of trust and respect for teachers. | Steve Sinnott, general secretary of National Union of Teachers (NUT) said: "No notice inspections would take us back to the old days of a lack of trust and respect for teachers. |
| "Oftsed has to recognise there must be a balance between no notice and an extended period for inspections." | "Oftsed has to recognise there must be a balance between no notice and an extended period for inspections." |
| Shadow childrenâs secretary Michael Gove said: âIâm delighted that Ofsted is seriously considering our suggestion that they should do surprise inspections, not give notice. | |
| "International league tables show we are falling behind other countries so it is more important than ever to have surprise inspections for failing schools. | |
| "There is no point inspectors treating all schools the same â they should focus on failing schools and give successful schools more freedom." |