SalfordOnline
Your local community website
   ;)  New inspection framework promoting improvement for schools and children in Greater Manchester
Ofsted has released the official data showing inspection outcomes for the first four months of the new inspection framework. The findings reflect Ofsted’s sharper focus on weaker schools and confirm that by emphasising the overall achievement of all pupils, in particular their progress as well as the quality of classroom teaching and learning, Ofsted is providing the additional challenge to schools that the new inspections were intended to provide. In Greater Manchester, Ofsted carried out 114 inspections from 1 September to 31 December 2009. 13 schools were rated as outstanding, 45 as good, 38 as satisfactory and 18 as inadequate. Lisa Vias, Headteacher of Green End Primary School in Manchester, said: “This was my fifth full Ofsted inspection as a Headteacher. From the outset I found that the new framework meant the inspection was going to be done ‘with’ us rather than ‘to’ us. A revised, streamlined self evaluation process meant we were more aware of our strengths and the weaknesses to focus on. “A partnership was quickly established with the lead inspector and I was invited to the end of day team meetings and joint lesson observation. This gave me a detailed understanding of the reasons behind the judgements and how to take them forward. All members of staff responded well to this change of approach and the effective communication with the team. “Increased lesson observation gave a much sharper focus on learning and meant feedback to the teachers had a stronger developmental focus. The HMI’s credibility was quickly re-enforced by his professional conduct and his understanding of our school’s context and urban environment.” Nationally, Ofsted carried out 2,140 school inspections over the same period. The new inspection regime is focussing more on weaker provision, and good and outstanding schools are now inspected less frequently. So, fewer schools that were outstanding or good at their last inspection were chosen for inspection in the autumn. This means that these results cannot be taken as reflecting the general quality of provision across all schools. The figures show that, through the combination of raised expectations and the selection of a greater number of weaker schools for inspection, the proportion of schools judged to be good or outstanding was 49%. Forty percent were graded as satisfactory and 10% were inadequate. A significant proportion of schools inspected in the autumn term have shown improvement since their last inspection. Overall a quarter of schools have improved their grade, while 35% of schools previously graded satisfactory were judged good or outstanding at this inspection. Half of the schools inspected maintained the same grade as their previous inspection, while a quarter went down. To give the autumn term 2009 figures a context, we must be clear that we have inspected a greater proportion of weaker schools and this has made a difference to the inspection outcomes. In addition, a comparison to the first term of results in 2005/06, the last time the inspection regime changed with the subsequent increased expectations, shows that the level of inadequate schools was at 10% while 11% were outstanding Announcing the results, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, said: “These results are what we expected given the sharper focus of the new inspection framework and the sample of schools inspected in the first few months. We introduced this new framework because we believe the upward trend in the quality of provision in recent years has masked wide variations. We wanted to concentrate more resources on the less effective schools, particularly those with pupils in danger of underachieving and offer clear recommendations for improvement. “The new inspections have been designed to help schools improve so that children and young people get the best possible education. By focusing on weaker schools; introducing more classroom observation; giving more detailed recommendations and emphasising progress, the quality of teaching and learning and overall achievement of all pupils, Ofsted is helping raise standards and promote improvement for all groups of children. “Concerns have been raised that the new framework, with a focus on the standards reached by pupils, could penalise schools serving areas of deprivation. However our analysis show that 8% of schools considered to be serving areas of high deprivation have been graded outstanding in the last term, which is very similar to the overall figure of 9% for all schools. “Every time an inspection framework is revised, expectations are raised and it is right for Ofsted to hold higher expectations on behalf of pupils and parents. We want every child to go to a good school. We expect more pupils to get better results and expect schools to improve the life chances for each and every group of pupils.” The reaction from those schools that have responded formally and informally after experiencing the new inspection is overwhelmingly positive. Nine out of ten schools, who have responded to surveys following inspection, say they were satisfied with the way inspection was carried out. Most believe the inspection judgements were fair and accurate and were satisfied with the clarity of the recommendations in their report. Ofsted has been clear from the outset that the new inspection framework should place a greater emphasis on attainment – the standards reached by pupils compared with those found nationally. Persistent patterns of low attainment affect pupils’ well-being, life-chances and have a deep and damaging impact on families and communities. However, it is achievement – which takes account of a pupils’ learning and the progress they have made as well as their attainment – that is at the heart of our inspections. This remains of prime importance. It is at the core of what schools are about – it is where they have the greatest impact. The data released today show there is a strong correlation between the overall judgement for overall effectiveness and that for pupils’ learning and progress, whereas there is a much weaker correlation with attainment. These first results also show that suggestions that schools were being penalised for minor safeguarding issues have been misplaced. Analysis shows that no school in this term was placed in special measures simply because of minor safeguarding issues and in fact of the 2,140 inspections carried out, only 17 schools were given a notice to improve for issues related to safeguarding, care and leadership alone. The new framework has brought many changes to the way we inspect. Ofsted inspectors are observing twice as many lessons during inspections, giving more opportunity to observe the quality of teaching and learning. Headteachers are often accompanying them; this helps their understanding of how judgements have been reached, and precisely what they need to do to further improve. Combined with greater involvement for senior staff in the overall inspection process and an improved and simplified self evaluation form, the new framework is helping to ensure schools are better able to understand their own weaknesses and areas in need of development. This further improves the overall effectiveness of inspection. We have also increased our emphasis on the views of pupils and parents to ensure their voices are being heard in the inspection. The next step is to trial online arrangements for receiving these comments to make the process far more efficient, accessible and easier to use. Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
