Are you an education professional that dreads the inspection call coming in? Are you a new headteacher that feels out of their depth and is petrified that your school won’t do well and it will all be ‘on you?’ Or are you a class teacher that has been through many inspections, but finds each just as stressful as the last?
Whatever your position or role, hear this: “Engage with the inspection process and you will be surprised how amazing it is…”
Before I became an inspector, I was nervous of the process too. The idea that a stranger could walk into your school, and into your classroom and make a judgment over the course of just a few days felt unfair. How could we really show in that time how amazing our school is? How can we help them see past areas that we know need improving, but we’re working hard to develop? How can we get across how amazing our pupils are and how much they achieve?
But as I grew as an educational professional and got the opportunity to train as an inspector I have learned not to be afraid, but to embrace the process and, in a way, look forward to the opportunity it brings.
What I really understand now is that inspectors are humans. They may be ex-headteachers or senior leaders, they may have many years of teaching and education experience, but above all they are human. As humans we have empathy towards each other and it is that that ensures the inspection process remains a beneficial and useful process for school improvement.
The birth of Ofsted in the early 1990s was a reaction to the subjective and biased practice that had come before. The Major government wanted to shape something that was impartial, transparent and above all; had an impact on school improvement across the country. The new era of national inspection was born, and what we see today is the result of many iterations and amendments of that process.
Last week I had the privilege of inspecting an excellent school. They were nervous of the inspection team’s arrival and fell over themselves to do the right thing. Whilst trying to remain highly professional and assist us in our work, the results were largely unhelpful and the tension around the school site was tangible. The first day of teaching observations was questionable and my heart went out to the entire school team. We could see from the pupils that they had a great educational offer, but it wasn’t always there, overtly on show…
…Until, after a while, with our gentle coaxing and human approach, they relaxed and began to see the process in action. They saw we weren’t there to be mean or unkind. They saw that we were there to gather evidence that supported everything they’d tried to make clear in their self evaluation writings. And we were looking to see all the evidence in a balanced and fair way.
And once that happened, the magic kicked in and I had the pleasure of noting down example after example of great pupil outcomes and fantastically delivered teaching that supported the shining school-reflections we’d read before we arrived.
As a consultant, it is my job to try and support schools to feel ready and prepared enough to get to that moment during an inspection. That moment when you showcase and celebrate your school and all it has to offer. Because we’re human and schools are full of humans; and together humans do pretty special things.
Get in touch with me if you’d like me to visit your school and help you get inspection ready…
