Ofsted NEW Inspection Framework consultation

Ofsted launched their consultation this week for the new Inspection framework, to be in place from September 2019.

This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 5 April 2019. Consultation documents can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/education-inspection-framework-2019-inspecting-the-substance-of-education

Alongside this consultation the DFE have published the following materials:
the draft education inspection framework 2019
the draft inspection handbooks for early years, schools, non-association independent schools and further education and skills
a commentary setting out the research that has informed the development of the criteria in the framework

Feedback will help refine and improve our proposed approach. All responses will be considered carefully before finalising and publishing the framework in summer 2019.

Marking: Ofsted issues new guidance following EEF report

In April, the EEF (Education Endowment Foundation) published A Marked Improvement?, a review commissioned of the evidence on written marking. Its central conclusion was that though marking plays a central role in teacher's work, there is very little evidence on which strategies are most effective.

Ofsted's latest 'School inspection update' (here) cites the EEF's report in its message to inspectors:

"As both the Workload Review group on marking (March 2016) and the Education Endowment Foundation (April 2016) reported, there is remarkably little high quality, relevant research evidence to suggest that detailed or extensive marking has any significant impact on pupils’ learning. So until such evidence is available, and regardless of any area for improvement identified at the previous inspection, please do not report on marking practice, or make judgements on it, other than whether it follows the school’s assessment policy. Also, please do not seek to attribute the degree of progress that pupils have made to marking that you consider to be either effective or ineffective. When reporting, please do not make recommendations for improvement that involve marking, other than when the school’s marking/assessment policy is not being followed by a substantial proportion of teachers; this will then be an issue for the leadership and management to resolve."

Improving Outcomes...

Along with 3 other schools, we were invited by Ofsted to do a presentation to regional leaders and inspectors in London about our work improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. While talking about our work isn't a problem, doing it at such a high level was a little out of our comfort zone (mine, anyway!). We focused on the things we've done well and tried to summarise these effectively in 15 minutes...

Improved quality of teaching and learning

• What does outstanding T&L look like? Modelling and strategies 
• Guidance and feedback – Pink polishing pens 
• How pupils were grouped and flexibility within this

‘Learning to be the best we can’

• Became an expectation of all 
• Our learning values – pupils taught about learning behaviours but was for ALL

Pupil Progress Meetings

• ‘Who is keeping you awake at night?’ 
• Accountability shift – identify key issues; time scales with support from LT; review; evaluation 
• LT have an overview of vulnerable groups across the whole school – feed into action plans

Reviewing current interventions 

• School Improvement Partner held Senior Leaders to account 
• Interventions impacting on progress: feeds into classroom practice and teachers are accountable for this
• Senior Leaders are supporting intervention 
• Getting in early!  

CPD

• Used the ‘Teaching and Learning Community’ model 

...and we over ran!!!

Ofsted: Where Next...?

Part two of our INSET day was about where we go next following our June Ofsted. During their visit, Ofsted focussed very much on several key areas:

• Consistency across the school
• Fixed starting points to show progress children are making 
• End of year attainment 
• High expectations in EVERYTHING! 
• Gaps of key vulnerable groups are closing but who is keeping you awake at night? 

To avoid a potential post-Ofsted 'hangover', we feel it is important to have time to reflect and ask ourselves some key questions:
Where are we now?
What do we want to get better at?
This initial thinking will form much of our school improvement planning for the future. Reminding ourselves that we don't need to do everything 100% better but 100 things 1% better!

Ofsted: 'Parent View' Feedback

While we await the official report from last week's visit, we can share the responses we obtained from the Parent View feedback during the inspection which were very positive - thanks! We would like to comment that the short notice nature of inspections has impacted on the proportion of responses but we would like to thank those of you that were able to respond within the limited time frame. It's also worth a reminder that there is always a link to Ofsted Parent View from the parents section of our website.

A Strong Team!

We have a had a very busy few days and the dust is settling after our visit from Ofsted. While we await the full report, expected in a couple of weeks, we take a moment to reflect on our experience. We are not allowed to provide any details of the inspection judgements but we can say how very proud we are of our school, our staff, our children and the community which we serve. We are looking forward to being able to share Ofsted's findings with you all soon! Thank you for all the support you have shown.