What would you do?

[plymouthmaid]

We've had notice of an ESTYN inspection in January (OFSTED in Wales). Several members of staff are saying that they are gong to tell the inspection team what they think about SLT.
This will pretty much place us in special measures.
Would you tell the head or keep quiet? I'm thinking I should say something but not mention the names of any members of staff.

[noblegiraffe]

If their comments aren't true then there won't be any evidence to back up the comments. If the comments are true then your school deserves to be in special measures.

What would telling the head achieve?

[FuzzyWizard]

What noble said. We had Ofsted in last week. I overheard some kids having a good moan to the inspectors, named teachers they thought were rubbish, said their work was never marked, claimed they were excluded for no reason etc. The inspectors seemed canny enough to it. They didn't just take what they said at face value. The HT isn't allowed to tell us the provisional judgement but if her mood is anything to go by then we got at least good and my hunch tells me it's an outstanding so they obviously haven't marked us down for it. I'd imagine it would be the same with staff. If what these people are saying isn't true then the inspectors aren't going to be swayed by one of two disgruntled people with an axe to grind. If it is true then people stating grudgingly silent is unlikely to save you from RI anyway.

[LockedOutOfMN]

Agree with fuzzywizard. Good luck!

[elephantoverthehill]

The staff who are wanting to speak out will affect the whole school if you are put in SM, staff, students and parents. If they have an axe to grind why can't they take it up with SMT or through their line managers or unions? It seems very silly to get at SMT through the inspectors.

[ChipsForSupper]

I don't think Ofsted listen much to the staff. I worked in a school where behaviour was appalling but on the day, all the tricks were pulled and the kids, as is often the case, rose to the occasion and it all looked OK. Some staff approached the inspectors as a group to say how unhappy they were about behaviour. When the report came out, the school was rated good and behaviour in particular got a good. It was noted in the report that some staff had noted concerns about the behaviour but the inspectors had found no evidence of poor behaviour and - the icing on the cake - pupils did not think that behaviour was a problem - so it must be OK.

So don't worry about anything the staff say - it's unlikely to be acted on.