Leading your Schoolâ

Significant changes to the way schools are inspected were brought in by Ofsted and the new framework took effect from September 2012. The thinking behind the changes were simple, namely, by raising expectations they hope to challenge and support schools through inspection. This would in turn allow schools to address weaknesses, and in turn generate better life chances for all pupils.

Ofsted is required to carry out its work in ways that encourage the services it inspects and regulates to improve, to be user-focused and to be efficient and effective in the use of resources. Inspection acts in a number of ways to drive and support school improvement. It:

• raises expectations by setting the standards of performance and effectiveness expected of schools
• provides a sharp challenge and the impetus to act where improvement is needed
• clearly identifies strengths and weaknesses
• recommends specific priorities for improvement for the school and, when appropriate, checks on and promotes subsequent progress
• promotes rigour in the way that schools evaluate their own performance, thereby enhancing their capacity to improve
• monitors the progress and performance of schools that are not yet ‘good’, and challenges and supports senior leaders, staff and those responsible for governance.

Objectives

Critical to a successful school inspection is how leaders lead the inspection. The course is aimed at primary and secondary senior leaders, enabling them to ‘climb inside the inspector’s skin’ and lead all aspects of the two-day Ofsted inspection.

A range of training materials, extracts from SEFs and inspection reports, top tips and other resources will be shared with participants.

The course is led by a highly experienced Ofsted inspector.

Attendance at this course will provide you with a knowledge and skills set that you will be able to take back with you to the benefit of your school and institution, including:

• Understand the ‘Framework for School Inspection from September 2012’
• Assess the process of inspection and how headteachers, staff and governors can contribute to the future development of inspection
• Explore the different ways inspection promotes school improvement
• Consider the responsibilities of the lead inspector post-inspection and those of the governing body, authority or proprietor once the report or assessment is received
• Share ideas and experience on how effective the timing of a school’s inspection is and what is required to turn around schools judged to be causing concern

18/06/2013 09:30 - 15:00