Ofsted inspection of SRE provision – getting it right  

This article considers ways to ensure high-quality sex and relationships education (SRE), outlines what Ofsted will be looking for, and looks ahead to the next 12–24 months.

Be prepared for inspection  

Tony Powell gives an overview of inspection for SBMs. He outlines the key points for preparing for inspection and suggests how best to organise and prioritise the information needed.

Supporting the headteacher: An ‘outstanding’ school  

Tony Powell outlines the process by which a headteacher approaches an inspection, the role of the senior leadership team in this, and what Ofsted means by the term ‘outstanding’.

Governors, attendance and attainment  

The common inspection framework  

Just before schools broke for the summer holiday, Ofsted published its new common inspection framework. Suzanne O'Connell considers what it includes and what the key messages are for schools.

Governors and the inspection interview  

Tony Powell discusses how to prepare governors in advance for an inspection interview.

Changes to Ofsted inspection  

2014 was not an easy year for Ofsted. It was criticised following the Trojan horse enquiry over the inspection of safeguarding and was accused of leaking inspection dates. Will the new proposals represent a fresh start in 2015? Suzanne O'Connell discusses the changes.

Pupil premium in the spotlight  

The pupil premium has remained at the forefront of the DfE’s education policy. The government has high aspirations for what it can achieve, but are these justified? Suzanne O’Connell examines an Ofsted update for the answers.

School Data Dashboard  

Steve Baker takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the School Data Dashboard.

National curriculum tests  

John Viner provides a summary of the draft proposals for NC KS1 and KS2 tests.

Using pupil data effectively  

Tony Powell explains what data inspectors are looking for, and how SBMs can use it.

Pupil premium, the self-evaluation statement and school improvement plan  

Tony Powell looks at how to represent your pupil premium spending in the self-evaluation statement and school improvement plan.

Inspecting value for money  

What do the new Ofsted inspection arrangements from January 2012 mean for SBMs? Tony Powell explains how inspectors will scrutinize value for money and why SBMs are the unsung heroes of schools!

Evaluation Article: Successful parental engagement for SBMs  

Jenny Townsend gives some practical suggestions for ways you can improve parental engagement in your school.

The new School Admissions Code  

Changes to the School Admissions Code could increase the responsibilities of schools, academies and their SBMs. Chief Editor Helen Clark gives you a summary of what’s proposed.

Q. We are classified as a ‘good’ school. How do we know what kind of inspection we will get?  

A.  From January 2018 the DfE is planning to introduce a new arrangement whereby a ‘good’ school could receive a section 5 inspection rather than a short inspection if the indicators are that the short inspection might indicate the need for one. 

Q. We are expecting an Ofsted inspection. What is the latest information about inspection of SEND?  

A. On Ofsted’s latest newsletter there was reference to a presentation for the NAHT conference on how Ofsted evaluates SEND in schools.

Q. With a new Ofsted framework, what might the main implications be for the SBM?  

A. The introduction of the common inspection framework (CIF) brings with it consistency in inspection arrangements across providers.

Q. I have a responsibility for managing exclusions data. What are inspectors looking for in relation to exclusions?  

A. A good document to refer to here is Schools’ use of exclusion, which includes a set of frequently asked questions to be read alongside the School inspection handbook.

Q. I understand we can expect a completely new Ofsted framework. What are the main points I should be aware of?  

A. The consultation on the future of Ofsted is now closed. However, you are right to want to familiarise yourself with Better inspection for all as it will have major repercussions for all schools.

Q.What’s new for SBMs from the July 2014 guidance documents for inspectors?  

A. Ofsted has released revised guidance for inspectors. The School inspection handbook, The framework for school inspection and Inspecting safeguarding in maintained schools and academies

Q. We have always placed an emphasis on independent learning. This seems to have been removed from the January 2014 Ofsted inspection guidance. What should we do?  

A. One of the main additions to the January 2014 Subsidiary guidance is information for inspectors on the inspection of teaching.

Q. I am aware of some of the main headlines from Ofsted’s annual report. What, in your view, will be the implications for schools?  

A. The tightening up on behaviour, and specifically behaviour for learning, is a key area.

Q. We are expecting an Ofsted inspection. Senior staff attended a course in September about the new regulations. Have there been any updates since then?  

A. A new School inspection handbook and Subsidiary guidance were published just before Christmas on 23 December 2013.

Q: We are expecting Ofsted. I have not experienced an Ofsted inspection as a SBM before. What should my role be and what can I expect?  

A: Anticipating an Ofsted inspection is an anxious time for schools. Regardless of how well prepared you might be, you are likely to feel apprehensive.

Q: I hear that there is a new Ofsted handbook and subsidiary guidance available. Are there any significant changes to the previous versions?  

A: The Ofsted guidance documents for schools and inspectors have been reissued for September 2013.

Q: Parent View has not been too popular with our parents. I understand that we are being asked to promote it.  

A: That’s right. Parent View was launched in October 2011 and has been the main route for parents to give their views to inspectors.

Q. With the new draft curriculum due to be implemented in 2014, can I expect a series of requests for resources from subject leaders?  

A: Yes. It is likely that however creative your subject leaders are they will find it difficult to meet the core

Q: Now that community cohesion isn’t inspected by Ofsted, do we have to do it any more?  

A: You are right that community cohesion is no longer a separate judgement in the Ofsted schedule.

Q: I understand that there will be new data collection arrangements for 2013. What are these and why have the requirements changed?  

A: In Charlie Taylor’s attendance recommendations he suggested that:

Q: We are expecting an inspection soon and are reviewing our list of policies. Can you tell us what we ‘must’ have in place?  

A: No one wants to write policies for the sake of it and everyone wants to be sure that they have those that are essential.

Q: I understand that there is a new definition of ‘regulated activity’. What difference will that make to us?  

A: A new definition of regulated activity was introduced from 10 September 2012.

Q: A parent wants to change their child’s name. What must they provide us with?  

A: It is relatively easy to change a name. Perhaps the major aspect which schools need to be aware of is that all those with parental responsibility need to be in agreement.

Q: A parent has informed us that they are taking their child out of school to home educate them. Can they do this?  

A: In short, yes. There are currently very few obstacles to parents taking children out of school for home education purposes. All they must do is notify the school in writing.

Q: We understand that our local authority Education Welfare Service is being cut. What are the options for us?  

A: You’re not the only ones that will find themselves in this situation.

Q: Do we still have to complete CRB checks for volunteers?  

A: At present, yes. However, when the Protection of Freedoms Bill becomes law, volunteers who are recruited to work with children will not be eligible for CRB or barred list checks unless they work unsupervised with the children.

Q: What is the position now with term-time holidays?  

A: At the moment, nothing has changed. However, there has been a leak from the DfE that the crackdown on term-time holidays is to move up a notch.

Q: What has happened to the 'value for money’ judgement in the new Ofsted framework?  

A: As you are probably aware by now, including overall effectiveness, there are just five judgements in the new Evaluation schedule.

Form - Teaching, learning and assessment: Preparing for inspection  

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Checklist - The Ofsted key areas: Have we got them covered?  

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Checklist - The quality of teaching and learning: Evidence  

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Checklist - Evaluating the quality of teaching and learning  

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Checklist - Evidence for Ofsted  

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Checklist – Preparing for short-notice inspections  

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Checklist – Documentation for inspection  

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Checklist – Key performance indicators using Ofsted’s grade descriptors  

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Worked example - British values for your practice  

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Table - Primary Schools: where are the gaps in Year 6  

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Handout - School inspection handbook  

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Form - Pupil premium school improvement strategy  

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Form - Pupil premium school improvement action plan  

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Checklist - Evaluating value for money  

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Form - Evaluating value for money  

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Handout – Key dates for admissions  

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Handout – Draft School Admissions Code key points  

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Worked example – Necessary documents for an inspection  

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