School given noticed today that ofsted arriving tomorrow?

[oldstudentmum]

Not a teacher btw. Is this the norm as schools that kids have attended all got longer notice and we were sent forms to fill out for inspector. Any thoughts 💭

Totally normal.

Total normal, they usually get the call by 2pm the day before.

Yes we typically get notice by lunch time for a next day inspection.

Sounds normal to me. Our school had this last term. I think it's a good thing (from a parents pov) as it gives schools less time to prepare, so in theory their report is a more accurate reflection of the school.

Literally the purpose of a spot Ofsted check.

Yep, Ofsted deliberately don't give much notice because they want to assess the norm, not the prepped face of the school.

Not sure how you got more notice before as it’s been by lunchtime the day before for years…

Normal. Just had this with DC school and received an email link to complete the parent view form.

Yes that's what they do these days.

Yes completely standard. We had ofsted earlier in the year, we got ‘the call’ at 11am on Monday for Tues&Weds inspection.

Very normal although head teachers often get the tip off that they're going to be up for inspection shortly. When I worked for an education org that was Ofsted registered, we knew about 2 weeks before that we would be getting the call soon so we're able to get prepped a bit in advance.

Normal in every school I’ve worked in. Sometimes the parent questionnaire comes the first morning they are there and other times it’s the second day and responses are collared afterwards.

Standard

OP, this changed relatively recently. They used to get a couple of days' notice.

they do get a tip off. I’ve worked in a primary school and the head teacher said “im sure were due for an inspection”. 2 weeks later…. They came. Too obvious. The tidying up, meetings after school for those 2 weeks, policies checked and checked.,,

No, schools and LAs do not get a “tip off” of imminent inspections.

No they don’t. That’s coincidental,

This has been the case for several years. My last Ofsyed was in 2015, 1/2 day notice.

I imagine of they haven't had a visit for a while they will expect one any moment as standard

They don’t get a tip off at all, sometimes schools can work it out for themselves that they are likely to be inspected that term based on when other schools in the area have been inspected and the order they were done in last time.

Im surprised anyone thought they would get more than a days notice of an ofsted visit, the whole point is that you don’t know when they’re coming!

You. Don't. Get. A. Tip. Off.

Bear in mind faith / Catholic schools also have an RE inspection and their diocese will often request a formatted questionnaire be sent out to parents weeks or mi ths begore an inspection, but that's not the same as ofteds, obvs.

All schools know when the '"expiry date' of an ofsted review is, depending on grading, and if they are in an area schools might plan that they will get the call whilst they are in the area.

They don'" t call after midday on a Wednesday as they need 2 back to back days to monitor and not allow the weekend as prep time once notified, it is literally the afternoon following the phone call.

Schools are either rwady for ofted anyway and unflappable or pulling out all the ofsted lesson plans etc!

Schools know when they are due an OFSTED visit, we were over due because of Covid so it was no surprise that we were done during term 1 this year. HT's talk to each other and know when OFSTED are in the area so it is highly likely that they can predict when they will be done but it is just a prediction. Nearby schools were done last year and we thought we would be too but then we weren't.

When I was an NQT back in 2009 it was normal to get 2 days' notice. These days you get a call the day before.

Schools can generally figure out they'll be inspected soon because of which other local schools have inspections.

I agree. How can they otherwise get an accurate report of a school? They need to see the school on a normal day, not on a day where everyone been tipped off about the visit and have the chance to disguise any issues in advance e

There's an unofficial " ring round" of heads when OFSTED are in the area but certainly no notice other than the previous day by 2 o'clock. Most staff heave a huge sigh of relief at 2 on Wednesday!

Mind you, no notice inspections begin with a phone call 15 minutes before they roll up in the car park!