Here you will find all the articles, Toolkit items and Q&As relating to Preparing for inspection.
Scroll down to see the articles, supporting Toolkit documents and Q&As in this section. You will find the most recent ones listed at the top.
Articles
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The governing board and self-accountability
Tony Powell looks at how governing bodies can establish systems of self-accountability in light of the Ofsted inspection changes.
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Free article: What to expect from Ofsted in 2019
The consultation document has given a good indication of what school leaders can expect from the new Ofsted framework. In this article, Suzanne O’Connell outlines the main, proposed features of inspection in September 2019.
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Changes to inspection and accountability: part 2
In the second part of a two-part article, Tony Powell hypothesizes about changes to inspection from September 2019.
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Changes to inspection and accountability: part 1
In the first of a two-part article on changes to inspection and accountability, Tony Powell looks at the proposed changes to accountability from September 2019.
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Interpreting data for 2017 performance
Tony Powell looks at the three different ways that a school’s academic performance is evaluated.
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Be prepared for inspection
Tony Powell gives an overview of inspection. He outlines the key points for preparing for inspection and suggests how best to organise and prioritise the information needed.
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Presenting the evidence: Leadership and management
Tony Powell continues his series of articles on presenting evidence to Ofsted.
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Free article: 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.
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Running an inspection base-room
Matt Bromley argues that having an effective inspection base-room is the key to a successful Ofsted inspection.
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Preparing for inspection: What SENCos can do
An Ofsted visit should be possible without a flurry of preparation and presentation as soon as a school gets notification. Considering what inspectors actually look for can help enormously. John Viner considers a wide range of vulnerable groups in the expectation that SENCos will be involved with the wider remit of inclusion.
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Presenting the evidence: Outcomes for learners
Tony Powell looks at how schools should provide evidence to support judgements about the academic outcomes for learners.
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Inspection dashboard: Further guidance
In the second in a series of articles, Tony Powell continues his analysis of the inspection dashboard.
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Inspection dashboard update
Tony Powell provides some general guidance on how to tackle the updated inspection dashboard.
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Free article: How do inspectors make the judgement about overall effectiveness? The Ofsted model
This article outlines the Ofsted methodology for determining whether a school is ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’.
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Free article: Inspectors’ code of conduct
Tony Powell writes about the conduct schools should expect from Ofsted inspectors.
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Inspecting employability skills
Tony Powell looks at how to evaluate employability skills and be prepared for Ofsted.
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Healthy lifestyles: What is expected and inspected?
Tony Powell looks at Ofsted's expectations of schools' provision for ensuring that pupils have healthy lifestyles.
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Inspecting non-association independent schools
Tony Powell gives an overview of the inspection of non-association independent schools.
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Deferral of inspections: the circumstances
Tony Powell looks at the circumstances in which schools can defer their inspection.
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Dispelling Ofsted myths and clarifying school needs
Tony Powell dispels some commonly held misconceptions regarding Ofsted inspections.
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The focus for inspection from September 2015
Tony Powell provides guidance on how schools can focus their self-evaluation based on the new Common inspection framework. -
Inspecting the sixth form from September 2015
Tony Powell looks at the similarities and changes in the criteria for inspecting the sixth form from September 2015. -
Inspecting the EYFS in schools from September 2015
Tony Powell looks at the similarities and changes in the criteria and evidence base for EYFS inspections from September 2015.
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Pupil outcomes - What Ofsted will expect to see from September 2015
David Birch considers the ‘Pupil outcomes’ section in the new Ofsted handbook and identifies the new emphases schools need to consider in their preparation for inspection.
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Short inspections of 'good' schools
Tony Powell looks at how ‘good’ schools will be inspected under the new Ofsted inspection framework.
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The effectiveness of leadership and management
Frank Norris looks at how inspectors will focus on some familiar and less familiar aspects when judging the effectiveness of leadership and management under the new Ofsted framework from September 2015.
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Future inspection: Teaching, learning and assessment
John Viner looks at the new focus on teaching, learning and assessment under the new Ofsted framework.
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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.
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Ofsted’s annual report-How are schools doing?
The main themes of Ofsted’s annual report come as no surprise. Disadvantage, leadership and accountability come in for frequent mention and hint at the inspection year to come.
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Inspection from September 2015
John Viner takes a look at the main proposed changes to inspection from September 2015 and what they mean for schools.
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Inspecting British values
The implications of the ‘Trojan horse’ affair continue to impact on Ofsted inspections. But what do we actually mean by ‘British values’ and preparing students for life in modern Britain?
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Inspecting and evaluating special needs provision
Tony Powell highlights what inspectors will be looking for in special educational needs provision.
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A step in the right direction for Ofsted?
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?
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Planning for Ofsted inspection in the early years
John Viner looks at Ofsted expectations for early years from September 2014.
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Explaining your judgements on learning and teaching
Tony Powell continues his series of articles on how to explain your judgments to Ofsted. This article focuses on learning and teaching.
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Checklist - Evaluating the quality of teaching and learning
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
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Coping with the critical inspector
Ofsted inspections do not always go as expected. In this article Tony Powell gives some practical advice on how to cope when this happens.
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Managing stress during inspection
Elizabeth Holmes considers how stress levels in staff can be managed during school inspections.
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Inspection stress: when things go wrong
Kenny Frederick gives a personal account of going through inspection and the challenge of a ‘notice to improve’.
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Preparing for short-notice inspections
Unannounced inspections are not new. Tony Powell looks at how to be prepared.
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Evaluating teaching and learning
Tony Powell looks in detail at what inspectors are really looking for when they evaluate teaching and learning.
Toolkit
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Handout – Summary of proposed Ofsted inspection changes in 2019
To download this document click on the link:
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Checklist - Analysing the inspection data summary report (ISDR) for 2017
To download this document click on the link:
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Checklist – Ambition and improvements in achievement: Evidence
To download this document click on the link:
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Checklist – Evaluating ambition and improvements in achievement
To download this document click on the link:
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Checklist – Evaluating ambition and improvements in achievement
To download this document click on the link:
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Checklist – Checking documentation for inspection
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
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Checklist – Key performance indicators using Ofsted’s grade descriptors
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
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Handout – Step-by-step guide to analysing the inspection dashboard
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
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Checklist – Checking the focus for Ofsted inspections
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
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Checklist - Inspecting the sixth form from September 2015
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
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Checklist - Inspecting provision for early years in all settings from September 2015
To download this document click on the link:
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Form - Teaching, learning and assessment: Preparing for inspection
To download this toolkit click on the link.
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Checklist - Ofsted annual report: how well are we doing?
To download this toolkit, click on the link:
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Checklist - The Ofsted key areas: have got them covered?
To download this Toolkit, click on the link:
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Worked example - Inspection plan (primary school)
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
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Form - Gathering information: preliminary assessment of work-related stress
To download this toolkit document, click on the link:
Q&A
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Q. Will inspectors really arrive at my school on the same day they contact me? Isn’t this the same as a no-notice inspection?
A. To begin with, don’t panic yet. We are currently only in the consultation stage of the new Ofsted framework. Many things may change, and there does seem to be some strong resistance to the idea that the inspector does their preparatory work on site once they have called the school.
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Q. With the renewed interest in the curriculum, do we know what type of curriculum Ofsted will be looking for when they inspect?
A. The short answer is no. Ofsted has already made it clear that it does not want to become involved in setting out exactly what the curriculum should consist of or how it is taught. However, there are those who suggest that it is almost impossible to inspect this area of school life without bringing some value judgements about it to the table.
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Q. We are currently classed as a ‘good’ school; what can we expect from Ofsted next year?
A. You are right to anticipate a change. Ofsted has launched a consultation to test out views on proposals to change short inspections for ‘good’ maintained schools and academies.
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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. There are no major changes here and inspectors will be looking for the learning and progress of different groups of pupils currently on roll in the school. One of the groups is, of course, pupils with SEND.
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Q. I hear so many ‘myths’ surrounding inspections. How can I find out what inspectors are and are not looking for?
A It used to be the case that no sooner had one briefing for inspectors been released than another was hot on its heels. It is true to say that in line with the Workload Challenge response, the amount of material from Ofsted does seem to have dried up a little.
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Q. With the Ofsted consultation response now released, what can we expect from inspection in September 2015?
A. The Better inspection for all consultation ran from 9 October to 5 December 2014. It asked interested parties about the intention to introduce a common inspection framework, short inspections for schools judged good, and how Ofsted inspects and gathers evidence.
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Q. I know that no-notice inspections are not routine, but they can still happen. How might I prepare?
A. The whole point of a no-notice inspection is that it takes you unawares. Inspectors will ring 15 to 30 minutes before they arrive in the building. After that the inspection is in progress and you just have to go with it.
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Q. Once again, a new school inspection handbook has been published in the holidays. What’s new for us from inspectors?
A. You are right that it does seem to have become a pattern. Christmas, Easter and now the summer holiday have each seen the introduction of new guidance for inspectors. However, there is a difference this time.
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Q. I understand that we can expect Ofsted to be paying more attention to our promotion of ‘British values’. What will this mean for us?
A. As you know, the concerns about the promotion of British values resulted from the investigations and reports into the ‘Trojan Horse’ affair in Birmingham; a hoax letter that has raised real concerns with implications for all schools across the country.
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Q I understand that new guidance has been released about behaviour and discipline. Is it worth reading?
A New guidance is available. However, it very much follows the general pattern of other documents released by the DfE.
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Q: I believe that Ofsted has released its new handbook. What are the differences I should be aware of?
A: The Ofsted schedule is not changing wholesale in September 2013. However, amendments to the School inspection handbook do reflect some changes in emphasis that schools are well-advised to take note of.
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Q: I'm a headteacher of a school that was judged to be satisfactory. How can I make sure that I'm up to date on what Ofsted is looking for?
A: If you attended all the ‘preparing for Ofsted’ courses you would hardly spend any time in school. It is, however, beneficial if at least you and one of your senior managers can attend a day’s course delivered by a respected provider.
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Q: Our recent Ofsted inspection highlighted marking and feedback as a weakness at our school. What can we do to address this?
A: Increasing the effectiveness of marking and feedback is one area where schools can clearly make a difference to pupil outcomes. The ‘Teaching and Learning Toolkit’ identifies it as one of the top approaches for supporting pupils and helping them to catch up.
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Q: We are currently looking at ways in which we can improve our school marking policy. What might inspectors want to see in our pupils’ books?
A: Analysis of more recent Ofsted reports suggests that inspectors are very keen to see that schools are using marking effectively.
