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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be absolutely dreading tomorrow

135 replies

Oakwoodtrees · 08/05/2023 23:17

I’m the headteacher of a primary school. We have ofsted in tomorrow and Wednesday for an inspection. I know I run a good school, I know that but I am honestly dreading it. Feel like I could cry I’m so worried. My worst is fear is accidentally getting something wrong. Just trying to keep in the back of my mind that I do run a good school no matter want they say. I feel sick to my stomach with dread I really do

OP posts:
PBandJs · 09/05/2023 00:45

Really feel for you. As hard as it is, please try to have faith in knowing you’re doing your best and this will shine through. I found the only way to get through it mentally was to plan something really nice for myself once it was finished and focus on that.

wishing you lots of luck and keeping fingers crossed you get a fair and reasonable inspector🤞🏼

Jellyhater · 09/05/2023 00:55

I’ve just been through a 2 day Ofsted inspection in a social care setting. We don’t get warning, just a knock at the door and they are there. At least once a year.

I totally get the stress about their visits. Try not to worry - you can’t do anything about it at this time of night.

Our inspector seemed a lot more empathic and very aware of the reputation that Ofsted carries. We spoke about the strains that a visit puts on the setting, the staff and the children and they really seemed to acknowledge and respect that.

I wouldn’t say it was a nice experience, but it was probably one of the least stressful inspections in my career.

All the best for the next few days. Showcase the work that you do and be proud.

backawayfatty1 · 09/05/2023 00:58

Good luck! I have my pre-registration visit with the care inspectorate tomorrow to become a childminder so know the stress all too well. I'm sure you'll be great 😃

ASBneighbour · 09/05/2023 04:50

I think it’s disgusting they still inspect during SATs week!

Goodread1 · 09/05/2023 05:00

You know you are doing a good enough in what you do as a Head teacher @Oakwoodtrees ,

I strongly dislike what I hear about this ofsted way of going about their business, !

they don't give effective constructive beneficial support, which is emotionally cruel, 100 per cent . !

I think 🤔 a lot of people Teachers and even parents starting to feel think same way about this, as being made very aware of , how unjust the ofsted system really is,

I really think in future, there will be incremental changes a shift , whether Ofsted likes it or not, to be frank with you,

It's bloody well long over due by the sounds of what I hear, see @Oakwoodtrees

CheckingOutNow · 09/05/2023 05:07

Hopefully the recent tragic news events will make ofsted be less toxic now. Fingers crossed they have learned something. Well done for all the prep you have done and good luck x

Dontjudgeme101 · 09/05/2023 05:56

Good luck for today and tomorrow. 💐💐💐

Pegsandsunshine · 09/05/2023 06:02

Swingstotheleftslidetotheright · 08/05/2023 23:20

Keep doing what you do. You know your job, you trust your staff and anything Ofsted find is just tweaks that can make life better for your students, nothing more. Keep all that in mind. I hate Ofsted for what they do to good teachers, it's cruel.

Go for a quick walk/drive now if you're struggling to sleep (or stand in the garden get some air).

Sadly this is not the case of Ofsted 'tweaks' making life of anyoe, staff or students better.
I sadly can't talk about the behind of the Ofsted inspection in the school I used to teach but it was abysmal and ruined the school forever (they are now a MAT with a horrific environment that feels like prison).
OP, fingers crossed you will come across human inspectors and good luck to you and your staff!

Beachhuts90 · 09/05/2023 06:10

I hope you managed to get some sleep!! You'll do great 💕

I remember seeing on twitter a few weeks ago that Ofsted was planning on letting schools being inspected today know before the BH weekend. It seems stressful as then you'll worry for 3 days!

As pp have said, I've known reasonable inspectors and I hope you have one too!

ZoraMipha · 09/05/2023 06:12

Trust in yourself OP. You know that you have a good school and you do a good job. You can do it.

Mumdiva99 · 09/05/2023 06:16

WombatStewForTea · 09/05/2023 00:19

Yeah this. You won't have got a call on a bank holiday Monday for inspection the following day 🤔

Show quote history

The call will have been Thursday or Friday in England. (Because of the bank hol).

We had them last week. (Only a Monitoring) the inspector was really lovely. The staff felt they were able to demonstrate what they have done.

Be proud of your school. Be proud of your staff and show them what you have. Good luck.

Sunshineandflowers2 · 09/05/2023 06:20

Nice of them to drop in on SATs week 🙄
I've vowed to make our next ofsted my last - I can't be doing with jumping through all their hoops anymore.
Shame, because I enjoy teaching and learning.

All the best OP, you can only show what you normally do, and hope they see all the good stuff 💐

Soothingaftersun · 09/05/2023 06:22

Good luck for today OP. The pressure on HT's is just awful. Back yourself and your staff, they may be feeling stressed about it as well. Hope all goes well

Skyblue92 · 09/05/2023 06:23

WombatStewForTea · 09/05/2023 00:19

Yeah this. You won't have got a call on a bank holiday Monday for inspection the following day 🤔

Show quote history

Highly likely the rang Friday as yesterday was bank holiday. Similar to how they did it with the strikes when the fell on a Wednesday/Thursday

PurpleReindeer2 · 09/05/2023 06:23

Best wishes OP. Do what you do everyday. Lead from the front and be proud. You've got this!

Skyblue92 · 09/05/2023 06:24

Trust in yourself. Poor timing with SATs but back yourself and staff and show off what you do. Good luck

electriclight · 09/05/2023 06:24

I hope you managed to get some sleep. Good luck.

GoodChat · 09/05/2023 06:24

Good luck OP. It sounds like you're doing a great job and have a great school. They'll see that.

tinytemper66 · 09/05/2023 06:27

Good luck for today x

WinterCarlisle · 09/05/2023 06:29

[not a teacher but we have the CQC soon which is similar for hospitals].

BEST of luck. My mum and 2 of my best friends are teachers. I see just how hard they work plus I appreciate my DC’s teachers so much 💐

electricmoccasins · 09/05/2023 06:30

Ex-teacher here.

It's horrible. Nothing else to be said. I was literacy coordinator for a large secondary many moons ago, and we got the call for a literacy ofsted scheduled to take place on my 30th birthday! I wore a party dress to work that day and stowed pink champagne in my classroom for whatever the outcome was. Fuck it, I thought.

Look, we all know it's a game. They largely know the outcome of your inspection before they even enter the building. They will be gathering evidence to support a predetermined decision. There is actually nothing much you can do now other than follow the wheels set in motion.

If the worst happens, the sun will go on rising and setting, you will find a way through, and in a few years no one will even remember. You are so much more than this day whatever the outcome. I'll be thinking of you.

Lulu1919 · 09/05/2023 06:34

They're coming SATs week ???
Grief that's harsh
Just be who you are ...easier said than done I know ...as a teacher of 25 years but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE breathe

determinedtomakethiswork · 09/05/2023 06:36

Good luck. Thinking of you today.

SodapopCurtis · 09/05/2023 06:43

Pm sent

HerculesMulligan · 09/05/2023 06:49

Hi OP - I'm a governor of a VA primary and we had Ofsted in a fortnight ago and I met with the inspector. I obviously can't say anything about the outcome but he understood the school we know and love, and we felt his verbal report was fair minded and accurate.

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