A bit sneaky, or so I thought - but standard pactice?

[qo]

My daughter, aged 10, was chosen to speak to the ofsted inspectors during last weeks inspection of her school - the day before they were due in the headteacher "coached" the on what to say.

She had apparently said "be honest but don't be negative about the school and really push the fact that you enjoy the adventure learning" (they are pushing for adventure learning status) as well as telling them they should mention how well behaved the pupils are, with hardly anybody stepping out of line (not strictly true, we live in a deprived area with more than our fair share of "wild" children for want of a better word)

When dd told me I was shocked to be honest, but my sister seems to think it's standard practice and to be expected really.

I can see that POV they obviously want the inspection to go well, but not too sure about the message it's sending out to dd, she actually doesn't enjoy the adventure learning and has her own valid reasons for that.

I told her to be completely honest, and if she has an opinion that doesn't fit in with mrs X's that she should voice it.

i think it is pretty standard

i know in our school, the kids and the staff were told what to say

if it was up to me, i would make Ofsted turn up unannounced - i think all inspecting bodies should

I was told last week by a parent that a local secondary school with a poor reputation encorages all the 'naughty kids' to take the day off when the Ofsted inspectors come so they dont disrupt lessons.

DDs school was Ofsted'd recently and they ony had two days notice. DD was chosen to speak to the inspectors but, no, she wasn't coached at all. She said though that she was sure that the students who were chosen were either there because the school could trust them not to say anything awful or to try to give the impression the school is more ethnically mixed than it is.

I would be very concerned if my child was at a school that did this and would be contacting the Head. It smacks of something suspicious.

Ah i remember ofsted time from my school days. It was a totally unreal portrait of the school.

I, and some of my more wilful friends were encouraged to be 'ill' on visit day The school unofficially weeded out the troublemakers and kept them way out of sight if they turned up.

There was a lot of coaching for the kids that were to be interviewed and the place underwent a cleaning/decorating session that would have seemed overboard for a visit by the Queen.

I am pleasantly suprised that this doesnt happen everywhere. Scheduled visits make a mockery of the inspection process.

OFSTED gave us 2 days notice - the weekend.

They observed a lesson unexpectedly which I wasn't meant to be in, I skimmed the lesson plan and got stuck in.

Worked well as just natural, no time to think about what to say.

We only have about 8 pupils who are verbal and who can answer questions (eg undersatnd whats being asked) so they always get spoken too!