With Sir Michael Wilshaw announcing plans to make surprise inspection in institutions with considerable behavior issues, Ofsted has unraveled that its novel program. It includes unannounced, undefined inspections from next week in schools, which have been complaining about behavioral standards in its premises. As per the strategy, the inspectorate authority of these schools will percolate no-notice inspections. This move comes in the wake of a wave of concerns raised about many parents. The authority will select schools in accordance with parental concerns alongside the evidence assimilated from previous inspections. Sir Wilshaw opines that the authority is determined in ensuring a proper evaluation system
Those who fail to control poor, indolent behavior need to be put under the scanner. The prime motif is to take prompt action to enhance good conditions for students and thereby ameliorating the learning environment. The Ofsted continues that plebiscite of parents reveals that good behavior or discipline within the classroom perimeters is the main priority and concern for them. The most discouraging aspect is that it is not a prerogative for the schools. This has been the main problem. Parents want to send their wards to an education setting which guarantees good academic environment and safety. He has warned the schools about the possible implications in its annual report published last year’s December. The panel seeks to eliminate this “culture of casual acceptance”, which is at par with poor attitudes and low-intensity disruption to learning. This is what is affecting the progress of England’s schools, he believes.
As per the 2012-2013 annual report, you will find that governors or leaders of top performing schools have reward merit and discard or shun poor performance and inconsistent teaching. The report highlights the sharp contrast with another pool of schools with no proper leadership or faculty. This removes the focus from the necessary task of propelling high behavioral standard alongside improved teaching. Low-level demeanor or classroom ethics highlight pupils’ progress in these schools. The inspectors will gauge behavior during breaks, between lessons, at lunchtime, in the classroom, and after departure.
They will assess the school’s culture, which includes student-staff interaction. They will directly interact with them both to evaluate the poor behavior addressing mechanism. If the schools’ response is scanty or insufficient, a full inspection is the next step. Main teacher at Pivotal Education, Paul Dix opines that behavior and a school’s culture are two difficult things to fake. He believes that it is not an uphill task to draw conclusions from a full inspection. It is no cakewalk for schools to make reprieve or amends within three days of notice.
Ros McMullen, principal of David Young community school things this might be a welcome move. He says that it is a sensible step to plan according to behavioral concerns. A couple of malicious or vitriolic reports of bad behavior from some alienated families might be a damper for the Ofsted initiative. However, if genuine concerns persist, it is a great step, he says. Behavior can change or deteriorate in no time. It depends on you channelize or dish out these concerns, he said, adding further that parent polls are not the best way to derive information.
General Secretary of National association of head Teachers (NAHT), Russell Hobby, said that in the present climate of uncertainty and apprehension surround this purported move, are frequent surprise visits alongside dawn raids. He says that Ofsted is not being able to upkeep the consistency, quality and efficacy in planned inspections. He said enumerating and solving fundamental mistakes or strategic fallacies is crucial in this context.