Following on from the alleged Trojan horse plot in Birmingham schools, of which were said to be taken over by radicalised Islamist, Ofsted are currently undertaking inspections in about 40 schools, without any notice given. This decision was highly encouraged by Prime Minister David Cameron, who asked Sir Michael Wilshaw to consider doing inspections without informing schools.
This has created a culture of fear and intimidation for teachers and head teachers more so, as now they are constantly on their tip toes. And that in itself is understandable, as an inspection requires extreme effort and resilience from teachers and staff members, as those in charge exert pressure, in order for them to maintain reputation for the school, or sometimes even improve.
An Ofsted spokeswoman has been reported to say : "We have expanded the criteria for unannounced inspections. This will allow us to respond swiftly and publicly where concerns over discipline, safe guarding, poor leadership or governance,or a narrow, unbalanced curriculum are identified."
Although many are against Ofsted's new strategies, I actually think it is a good idea - wouldn't you be interested to know how an educational institution really operates behind closed doors? I remember during my time at school, whenever an Ofsted inspection was round the corner, teachers would ensure they always had the learning objectives up on the board? And it used to always infuriate me as to why learning objectives were not regarded priority for students to be clear on what they should attain for, prior to the Ofsted inspection? Also, another thing I noticed is that teachers would start marking students' work and put more effort into the interactivity of the lesson plan? Why isn't this the case till teachers are aiming to get all ticks from an inspector, so the institution can get a 'grade 1 : outstanding' OR a 'grade 2 : good'.
Funnily enough, I led my very own student inspection at my college, Brooke House Sixth Form College, where I studied about two years ago. This inspection was led by myself and a former Ofsted inspector, as part of the work I was doing as a learning advocate. I remember the male teacher that I was observing, suddenly became more nervous, he started sweating and really tried his best to impress myself and the Ofsted inspector through it all.
Though inspections may have this effect on teachers, I believe it serves the majority's interests at hearts, as parents willingly give their child/children to a particular educational institution hoping that they will receive the best, and so they should be informed of how true this is.
An Ofsted spokeswoman has been reported to say : "We have expanded the criteria for unannounced inspections. This will allow us to respond swiftly and publicly where concerns over discipline, safe guarding, poor leadership or governance,or a narrow, unbalanced curriculum are identified."
Although many are against Ofsted's new strategies, I actually think it is a good idea - wouldn't you be interested to know how an educational institution really operates behind closed doors? I remember during my time at school, whenever an Ofsted inspection was round the corner, teachers would ensure they always had the learning objectives up on the board? And it used to always infuriate me as to why learning objectives were not regarded priority for students to be clear on what they should attain for, prior to the Ofsted inspection? Also, another thing I noticed is that teachers would start marking students' work and put more effort into the interactivity of the lesson plan? Why isn't this the case till teachers are aiming to get all ticks from an inspector, so the institution can get a 'grade 1 : outstanding' OR a 'grade 2 : good'.
Funnily enough, I led my very own student inspection at my college, Brooke House Sixth Form College, where I studied about two years ago. This inspection was led by myself and a former Ofsted inspector, as part of the work I was doing as a learning advocate. I remember the male teacher that I was observing, suddenly became more nervous, he started sweating and really tried his best to impress myself and the Ofsted inspector through it all.
Though inspections may have this effect on teachers, I believe it serves the majority's interests at hearts, as parents willingly give their child/children to a particular educational institution hoping that they will receive the best, and so they should be informed of how true this is.