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Schools to get 'lightning checks' Schools to get 'lightning checks'
(39 minutes later)
Schools in England are to get "lightning inspections" without warning under plans being drawn up by Ofsted.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. 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.Teachers and heads have condemned the move, saying "no notice" checks would be more punitive and stressful.
At the moment, no notice checks are only carried out when there are serious concerns for the well-being or health of pupils but these changes would make this the norm.At the moment, no notice checks are only carried out when there are serious concerns for the well-being or health of pupils but these changes would make this the norm.
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.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.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 teachersNo notice inspections would take us back to the old days of a lack of trust and respect for teachers
Steve Sinnott, NUTSteve Sinnott, NUT
Ofsted believes although those changes were controversial, they have gone down well with schools and parents.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.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.""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: “I'm delighted that Ofsted is seriously considering our suggestion that they should do surprise inspections, not give notice.Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: “I'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 – they should focus on failing schools and give successful schools more freedom.""There is no point inspectors treating all schools the same – they should focus on failing schools and give successful schools more freedom."
'Raising the bar'Raising the bar
Ms Gilbert told the committee that she expected a drop in the number of schools rated good or satisfactory when the new inspection system came into force in 2009.Ms Gilbert told the committee that she expected a drop in the number of schools rated good or satisfactory when the new inspection system came into force in 2009.
Previous changes to school inspections had "raised the bar" because the country had higher expectations and standards appeared to drop when a new framework was introduced.Previous changes to school inspections had "raised the bar" because the country had higher expectations and standards appeared to drop when a new framework was introduced.
"That is because a new framework is demanding higher standards of schools. We anticipate doing that again with the new framework we are introducing in 2009", she said."That is because a new framework is demanding higher standards of schools. We anticipate doing that again with the new framework we are introducing in 2009", she said.
The chief inspector also said Ofsted was considering making the inspection system more "tailored" to the qualities of schools.The chief inspector also said Ofsted was considering making the inspection system more "tailored" to the qualities of schools.
"This requires a combination of increasingly sophisticated data, self-evaluation and local knowledge," she said."This requires a combination of increasingly sophisticated data, self-evaluation and local knowledge," she said.
Such local intelligence would involve "making better use of the views and experiences" of parents and pupils, she said.Such local intelligence would involve "making better use of the views and experiences" of parents and pupils, she said.
  • The chief inspector also commented on standards in schools in general, saying "too many" were inadequate, leaving children with a poor grasp of the three Rs.
  • The chief inspector also commented on standards in schools in general, saying "too many" were inadequate, leaving children with a poor grasp of the three Rs.
    As reflected in Ofsted's annual report in October, she said 10% of secondary schools were classed as "inadequate"; parents wanted schools to be at least "good".As reflected in Ofsted's annual report in October, she said 10% of secondary schools were classed as "inadequate"; parents wanted schools to be at least "good".
    Ms Gilbert said the key to raising standards was making sure children could read properly by the time they left primary school.Ms Gilbert said the key to raising standards was making sure children could read properly by the time they left primary school.
    "We do think that there is still a great deal to be done and that there are serious issues to be addressed, not least the teaching of literacy - I put that above numeracy," she said."We do think that there is still a great deal to be done and that there are serious issues to be addressed, not least the teaching of literacy - I put that above numeracy," she said.
    "I am very concerned that if children are not literate by the time they leave primary school, they lose motivation, they play up and so on, so it is a key issue for us.""I am very concerned that if children are not literate by the time they leave primary school, they lose motivation, they play up and so on, so it is a key issue for us."