What happens when an independent school gets RI from ofsted?

[SickKid]

My child is due to start at an independent school shortly but have just received requires improvement from Ofsted. I know state schools would be under lots of scrutiny and get lots of 'support to fix any issues but is this the case for independent schools? Feeling quite worried 😟

Have posted in chat for traffic

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate them. We don't have a great deal of choice unfortunately. As far as I know, the school has been full this academic year and there are quite a few new starters next term so would imagine it's still full. It's not a new school, but the head is new (although not new to the school).

I know that with state schools they would be overrun with advisors working to turn it around ASAP but not sure if this is the case with independent schools.

some independent schools are inspected by ofsted instead of ISI. Not sure why, think it’s a choice by the school/governing body (and I have no idea why anyone would opt for ofsted over ISI, but that’s another story!)

if it was a ‘normal’ independent school I’d think it would be in trouble - those failings aren’t great for any school and so why would anyone choose to pay for that?! Id then expect parents to start pulling kids out and as above that reduces funding so improvement is harder. However, assuming it’s some kind of SEN school where the LA are possibly funding a large number of the places, and there isn’t much alternative, parents may not pull their kids so it won’t suffer the financial problems from this. It is possible for schools to turn around. It sounds like it may possibly be the best place for your child even if it isn’t perfect?

in my experience of working in a school that went in to RI, the head and governors had a meeting with parents to discuss the plan going forward; hopefully yours will do the same.

The local authority are funding an independent school? Is it for special needs?

@Snuffy28 yes.

If it’s an SEN school, then look at the report carefully and think about it. Ofsted are not specialised in SEN. A phonics scheme isn’t necessarily what the children there need. Would a phonics scheme benefit your child? Do they need specialised teaching and learning, or do they need solely what Ofsted inspectors are trained to look for?

This is a slightly different situation, an Ofsted report of ‘Inadequate’ for a private nursery. We also didn’t have any other option but to keep my DD in, despite being very resentful at paying £100/day for inadequate care.

What happened was there was a huge, huge amount of effort put in to turning things around very quickly. A lot of support from external organisations and the other nurseries in the same group. 4 months later it was rated ‘Good’. Really hope the same happens for you and that the staff face into it proactively.

Yes, definitely. An SEN school operates differently from a mainstream school, and if Ofsted are judging it by the usual standards that apply to mainstream schools, their opinion can't really be valid.

Teachers may lack in depth subject knowledge, but they may be experts in their own field of providing specialist education of a type suitable for the school's pupils.

If I were you, OP, I would go with it, and judge for yourself how well suited it is for your child.

I would not change plans. My dd goes to a school like this. It is an amazing school for her. The staff have worked hard to make improvements and I am really happy she is there. Independent schools work just as hard as state schools to change things.

It is an independent special. Like any other RI school they will be re-inspected by Ofsted within about 30 months

Some LAs may not fund an RI provision which may make their funding vulnerable, but in reality most do as there is such a shortage of places.

Sounds like they are not on the ball as phonics and curriculum have been the key aspect of Ofsted since September 2019.

In your shoes, I would give it a go and monitor.

Thanks again for your views, it's very helpful. Re phonics, it's not an infant school but there will definitely be children there at early stages of reading. On the other hand though I agree that a 'scheme' wouldn't necessarily meet the needs of all the children, though obviously something needs to be in place.

There is praise for how children are supported, particularly with emotional wellbeing, the criticism is of specific subjects. I think it's very difficult in schools like this to stick rigidly to a plan due to the needs of the students so I am perhaps less concerned than I would be if this was a mainstream school facing the same criticisms. Although clearly I'm not thrilled.

Could it be a case of Oftsted being a round peg trying to fit a square hole?

EG it’s likely that a sceince teacher in that setting would be more effective an educator if she had an SEN skill set than if she had an advanced physics degree. But in mainstream you’d want the person teaching the top-set physics A level to have a relevant degree. So does the Ofsted report have enough subtlety to reflect that?

Quite possibly. I think they have also been using cheap trainee/newly qualified teachers though so perhaps this might prompt a change?

Many independent specials have very few QTS. They dont tend to have trainee teachers as they cant offer the required ITT programmes.

@DirtyteaCup that's a good point, I'd forgotten that

I’d be concerned at the lack of leadership, and the turnaround of staff. If the Head is very new this may change though. Ime a school needs a strong leadership team as the main foundation

My child goes to an independent SEN school that requires improvement. I have no choice. They dont seem to have any extra support to change in the way an LA school would. Ofsted said their subject development wasnt good particularly in reading but I think that is easy to change. Their pastoral care and safeguarding is very good.

However, he was an a good independent sen school before and their safeguarding was horrific which impacted in my son and they were found at fault when another child committed suicide.

So i am not sure about ofsted and special schools being a good fit.

@AntlerRose how awful for the poor child and their family. Hope your child is happy and settled where they are now.

They are private money making businesses
they can buy support from an LA or a school improvement adviser but many don’t as it would reduce the profit