1. Preparing for Ofsted PaJeS Clare Collins NGA Head of Consultancy 20th March 2017

2. Welcome and introductions

4. Purpose of the session
At the end of this workshop governors and trustees will have a list of any issues that need to be addressed to ensure they are confident about being inspected.
You will reach this point by:
Learning what Ofsted expect from the governing body
Exploring what ‘knowing your organisation’ means
Understanding the criteria against which governance is be judged
Being prepared for the Ofsted visit
Identifying any issues that need to be addressed prior to the inspection

5. 1. What Ofsted expect

6. The three core functions
In order for governing bodies of maintained schools to direct the conduct of their schools with a view to promoting high standards of education, and for governing boards of academy trusts to fulfil their charitable object of advancing education for the public benefit, the DfE identifies three core functions for governing boards:
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Holding executive leaders to account for the performance of the organisation and its pupils and for the performance management of staff
Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent

7. In the best schools inspectors found governors were very well informed
‘Regular meetings with the headteacher and presentations from staff inform governors' understanding of the school and its work.’
‘The governing body seeks the views of parents, carers and pupils and uses the information obtained to inform the school's self-evaluation and the school development plan.’
‘Governors have a good awareness of the school and a clear view of the strategic direction of the school through regular visits, including to lessons and focus groups.’
‘Governors carry out their own monitoring of the school’s plans and use this to evaluate how well all aspects are doing. They clearly understand how well pupils are progressing, making it their business to probe the school about any concerns, should they arise.’
‘Governors are closely involved in self-evaluation procedures, ask penetrating questions and expect and receive regular reports and presentations from staff to inform their strategic decision making.’

8. The eight elements of effective governance
The right people round the table
Understanding the role and responsibilities
Good chairing
Professional clerking
Good relationships based on trust
Knowing the organisation – the data, the staff, the parents, the children, the community
Committed to asking challenging questions
Confident to have courageous conversations in the interests of the children and young people
Handout 1
Activity – rate yourself against the 8

9. 2. What ‘knowing your organisation’ means

10. Brainstorm How do you as governors get to know your school?
List (at least) 10 information sources

11. 6. Knowing the organisation – the data, the staff, the parents, the children, the community
Visits to school
School policies
Learning walks
Staff training
School website and prospectus
School tracking data
Subject leaders at governors’ meetings
Headteacher’s reports
Attendance at events
Answers to questions at governors’ meetings
Pupil, staff and parent surveys
School newsletters
Reports from advisors and consultants
RAISEonline
DfE performance tables
Fischer Family Trust
School’s self evaluation documentation
School development plan
Governor reports on training, networking, visits
School’s vision and strategy document with key priorities
Staff pay progression/ performance management
Ofsted inspection reports

12. © NGA 2013

13. A word about visiting the school
Is the purpose of school visits clear?
Are you getting to know the school?
Are you monitoring improvement priorities?
Is there a policy and protocols which have been agreed and shared with staff?
How do governors report on visits?

14. 2. Understanding the criteria

15. Read the guidance

16. Making sense of the criteria
See handout

17. Gov Handbook guides us to 2 sources of statutory guidance, then also gives specific mention to allegations against staff and safer recruitment.
They should have read KCSIE prior to the course
KCSIE main focus is:
Safeguarding general info, defining what it is
Management of safeguarding
Safer recruitment procedures
Dealing with allegations against staff and volunteers
Working together to safeguard children focuses on:
Importance of inter agency work and
legislative requirements and expectations on individual services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children – see handout
‘All schools should have regard for this guidance ‘
It is the schools who are actually ‘doing’ this safeguarding, our role is to ensure that it is happening.
This training could be to read these documents to you….you need to do this yourselves!

18. Key themes
Pupils making progress with learning a broad and balanced curriculum but with a focus on English and maths
Disadvantaged pupils and their attainment and progress
Phonics outcomes and the relationship with good levels of development in early years
Pupil progress being above average or improving
Safeguarding Safeguarding Safeguarding

19. Exercise
Handout Each group to tackle one of the core functions and be prepared to feedback their judgement

20. 4. Preparing for the visit

21. Please be prepared to feedback to the group
Skills practice
In your groups:
Split into two groups
One group is inspectors
One group is governors
Each group nominate a note taker
Conduct a mock interview using the questions in the handout
Please be prepared to feedback to the group

22. How will the inspectors know about your governance arrangements?
Question
How will the inspectors know about your governance arrangements?

23. The inspection If your school was previously graded outstanding:
Inspection will not happen unless data indicates a decline in standards or there are complaints or concerns which trigger an inspection
If your school was previously graded good:
A short S8 inspection lasting one day without new judgements unless during the day the inspectors determine that the school may be either outstanding or requires improvement or inadequate in which case the inspection will be converted to a full S5 two day inspection
If your school was previously graded requires improvement or inadequate:
A full S5 two day inspection

24. The judgements What inspectors will consider when making judgements:
Overall effectiveness
Effectiveness of leadership and management
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment
Personal development, behaviour and welfare
Outcomes for children and other learners
A four-point grading scale:
Grade 1: outstanding
Grade 2: good
Grade 3: requires improvement
Grade 4: inadequate
Short inspections confirm current overall effectiveness judgement
All inspections look at safeguarding and any concerns trigger a full inspection

25. Short inspections Inspectors are likely to be on site 7.30am to 6.30pm
They often meet and greet parents as they bring their children into school
Much time will be spent with the HT and the SLT looking at data
Evidence of children’s learning will be expected
Inspectors will look in children’s books and at other work
Inspectors will talk to children about their learning
Inspectors will constantly be observing children’s behaviour for learning
Conversion to full S5 inspection may not be declared until very late in the day
The second day will usually be the following day

26. The Ofsted process The timing
The school gets a phone call at around noon the previous day
The inspectors work out a schedule with staff including when they wish to see governors (you are volunteers: make clear what time best suits)
Two day inspection – often at the end of day one or the beginning of day two
Short inspection – earlier in the day
Plan who will meet the inspectors, and what documentation to take
If possible, organise to note the questions asked
Express any concerns straight away and ensure they are recorded
Attend the feedback which can be as late as 5pm

27. The Ofsted report
The draft report or letter (short inspections result in a letter) usually arrives within a week
The school gets 24 hours to comment: the chair must have sight of the draft and the opportunity to comment (check accuracy of language used)
Publication
Usually within three weeks
Evaluation and appeals
Check details
If the school is being found to be inadequate or to require improvement, this process is likely to take longer due to additional quality assurance checks

28. 5. Next steps
What needs to be done?
By whom?
By when?

29. New HMCI
My interest is solely in ensuring that every child receives what is their fundamental right: a good education. And not only a good education but the right education for that child.
Amanda Spielman to ASCL conference 10 March 2017

30. Reviewing the Session We have covered:
What Ofsted expect from the governing body
The criteria against which governance will be judged
What to expect from the Ofsted visit
The issues that need to be addressed prior to the inspection
Any questions?

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