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| Schools to get 'lightning checks' | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Schools in England are to get "lightning inspections" without warning 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, expected in 2009. | The chief inspector of Education in England Christine Gilbert has said she is "looking at the practicalities" of such a scheme, expected in 2009. |
| Schools normally receive just two days notice but there are fears that some rehearse special lessons. | |
| Teachers and heads have condemned the move, saying "no notice" checks would be more punitive and stressful. | |
| 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." |
| It is understood inspectors want to see schools "warts and all" and to direct resources to establishments where they can make a difference. | |
| There is a feeling at Ofsted that schools which are doing well should be treated differently. | |
| '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". |
| Ofsted believes although those changes were controversial, they have gone down well with schools and parents. | |
| John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said: "No notice inspections would be more punitive and create increased stress, as heads keep a constant watch on the school gate for the arrival of the inspectors. | |
| "Ofsted should consider the bigger question of whether to do away with mandatory inspection altogether." | |
| 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 children's secretary Michael Gove said: âI'm 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. | "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." | "There is no point inspectors treating all schools the same â they should focus on failing schools and give successful schools more freedom." |