What do Ofsted Really, Really Want? Jayne Hawley Vice Principal & Ofsted Nominee 2014

Inspection experience ALI and Ofsted trained but not active 4 FE College inspections (Lecturer, Programme Manager, Curriculum Lead) 3 Local Authority inspections ( Partnership Director, Head of Service, Nominee) 1 Special Designated Institution( Nominee) Grades – various!

‘Rejoice and love yourself today, cos baby you were born this way Northern’ 3

Pre-Ofsted anxieties Time since last inspection – 8 years Short notice Will they cope with our idiosyncrasies? How far has the inspection bar has been raised ?

Pre-Ofsted anxieties

Is our performance management system rigorous and SMART enough? Can we show that we have sacked poor teachers? Does everybody understand their bit of the ‘ever ready’ inspection plan?

Discussion Question What is your current biggest Ofsted anxiety?

“Strong and inspirational leadership is highly effective in putting needs of students first. Governors, staff, leaders, managers and partners uphold the college’s ambitious vision and mission to provide outstanding learning.” “Managers and staff set exceptionally high standards across every aspect of the provision and are exemplary role models for students. “ “Inspirational tutors provide exceptional challenge and support which transform the lives of students and their families.”

A wow of a week! Went well from day one ‘Worryingly’ worry-free Inspection team wanted me to find ‘sparkle words’ Why did it go so well?

Post-Ofsted reflections What makes passionate and inspirational educators? What as leaders and managers did we do and can we do to develop, nurture and encourage these qualities? Essentially we had been ‘present as ourselves’ and Ofsted actually liked it

“Be bold, be brave, be Northern”

Practicalities – What to Expect A Thursday call for a Monday start or a Friday call for a Tuesday start One hour between the call and preparatory telephone meeting with lead inspector (thereafter ) Decisions pretty much firmed by Thursday Friday – final grading meeting and feeding back

Practicalities – What to have ready Data Knowing what’s on/who’s in Method of bringing key staff and stakeholders together quickly Ever ready inspection plan (who will do what by when) Basic files A strategy for the weekend Your best impact stories and a strategy for telling them

Wider outcomes for learners Student union president welcomes Ofsted Wall posters feature successes of past students Past students invited to talk about their progression Existing students invited to key meetings Case studies and survey data presented in inspection files Stakeholders briefed to talk about specific outcomes Student ambushes inspector and demands that she helps the College to secure more funding Students knock on base room door & demand an inspector because they hadn’t quite got their point across Students just graduating from university tell about their 1sts and 2(i)s

Discussion Question How will you curate your best stories?

Reflections : what puts the sparkle into inspectors eyes? Seeing and hearing about impact for themselves Learner voices Partner voices Staff voices Governor voices Triangulation What they notice and sense without having to ask!

Reflections : What really makes a difference? Good planning and preparation Clearly articulated and widely shared mission Shared culture, ethos and values across a learning community (students, staff, partners, governors) Bold, confident and passionate staff Bold and confident students ‘Because the College believes in us we believe in ourselves’

Discussion Question What are your current thoughts about transferring aspects of Northern College’s practice to your own setting?

Nominee Training Day : (Subject to demand) Managing yourself as a nominee Managing and supporting others to be brilliant... teachers, support staff, cleaners, caretakers, catering staff, senior managers, governors, partners, students... Managing the inspection team