Thread by @adamboxer1

A couple of months ago I had some thoughts about Ofsted changes that I wrote down. They aren't comprehensive or fully formed, but maybe they will help the discussion, and I checked them with some Smart People who said they weren't entirely stupid. >

I also want to frame this by saying that I don't think Ofsted is an evil entity. I think that accountability is a good thing, I think that Ofsted inspectors and workers want to do a good job and are good people. I refuse to make this personal.

Anyway, here goes.

>

1. Ditch grades, as soon as possible. I get that Ofsted might not be entirely in control of this, but whoever is in control should ditch them. And ofsted should lobby for them to be ditched (quietly [if they aren't doing so already]).

2. Move reporting to a system of "flags." There are minor flags and major flags, a bit like a driving test.

3. Everything safeguarding is a major. This does not immediately trigger intervention. One major triggers a reinspection in 7 days. If the issue is fixed, then great. If it is not fixed, the the school is placed in special measured and LA/RSC/whoever are invited to intervene. >

4. A set number of majors (maybe 3?) triggers SM and intervention as in point 3 above.

>

5. Minors are for things like "only offers three subjects at GCSE". They have a longer time to fix, like six months. Again, you have reinspection. If not fixed, it turns into a major as above.

>

6. the list of things that you can get a major or minor for are extremely precise, objectively ratifiable, and public.

7. the list should include nothing to do with "how your curriculum is sequenced" or whatever. ofsted should no longer make pronouncements or recommendations about anything pedagogic, until the evidence is overwhelming.

e.g. evidence for phonics is overwhelming. if a school is not employing SSP, that's a minor. You can get a minor for stuff like "doesn't have a teaching and learning policy" or "teacher answered emails for 20 minutes in a lesson" or whatever >

but again, there will be a very clear list of things that schools should not be doing, and every item on that list must be blindingly obvious. this may take some time to write. I estimate I can get it done in two hours (jokes).

If in doubt, it doesn't go on the list. only things which are blindingly obvious can get a minor. that doesn't mean we necessarily *ignore* other stuff, because:

8. Inspectors focus on DWDWWSWD*: e.g. if the policy says "cold call in every lesson", and the inspectors don't see any cold call, that makes it into a narrative section of the report (but isn't a minor).

*do we do what we say we do

9. schools can't game this by just not having a policy. that would be a minor. for example, if a school doesn't have a teaching and learning policy: that's a minor. if your policy doesn't say anything about what you might see in lessons, that's a minor.

10. i reckon you could write things in a way that means people couldn't do things in bad faith, but you aren't dictating what people need to put into their policies. it's possible.

11. and again, the minor list is PUBLIC. write it in consultation with people who are in schools, and aren't idiots.

12. so the report is split up into sections:
A. Safeguarding
B. Other minors/majors
C. Narrative about the school's offer and general approach
D. Commentary on whether or not what the school says it does is accurate
E. Results of parent survey
F. Results of teacher survey

E and F will follow set formulae, and will be the same format for a particular setting (e.g. mainstream secondaries).

There will also need to be

G. Data analysis

Again, I think this should follow a set format across the board. Similar to what you see on the "compare a school" gov website. maybe a bit more detailed.

I think there is room for a data-based minor flag. e.g. my OPINION is that if secondaries are consistently under a particular p8, there should be a trigger for intervention. but I'm not 100% sure on what that should be, and need to think more and hear from others.

Anyway, that's pretty much it. Yes, accountability, but no: things that can't really be measured or judged validly or reliably. and, crucially, get everything public.

also, no attempt to move this to "local accountability." i don't want heads from neighbouring schools or mates in the LA inspecting each other. recipe for absolute nonsense (and I've experienced some of this back scratching from "local accountability" eugh)

hopefully, there is a good blend here. accountability for things which are obvious, but no driving of perverse incentives for people to do stupid things "for ofsted."

more valid in terms of "what makes a good school" and more reliable in terms of "anybody could spot this"

It could be that a new organisation needs to determine what the list of minors and majors are with Ofsted just checking that these are happening.

obviously, there would be different lists for different contexts (e.g. FE, primary, EY, whatever)

>

For better or worse, Ofsted has become the biggest lever for educational change in this country, and my OPINION is that this shouldn't be the case.

I'm done, come fight me, eh.