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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:
LadyPenelope68 · 09/05/2023 06:50

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

Just keep doing what you do and keep remembering your staff will be behind you to support you. What an awful time to come when you’ll have the added pressure of SAT’s as well ☹️ (Year 6 teacher here). Good luck!

HerculesMulligan · 09/05/2023 06:50

Sorry - I hit "send" too soon. I think the pressure on Ofsted, and Amanda Spielman in particular, is so great at the moment (and rightly so, imo) that they aren't going to be looking for a fight.

PurpleFlower1983 · 09/05/2023 06:51

You got the call before a bank holiday weekend? That’s highly unusual. Is this is England?

Shinyandnew1 · 09/05/2023 06:52

I hope it goes ok-did they phone on Friday?

Tinkerbell1980 · 09/05/2023 06:52

Remember, you're not there for Ofsted, you're there for the children you show up for, and do your best for, every day. Also for your staff who do the same. Very best of luck to you all x

AlphabetSue · 09/05/2023 06:54

I’m not sure why there’s so much faux naive ‘did they call on a bank holiday’ stuff going on. Maybe we could just say ‘good luck.’

Hope it goes well, OP.

mummyhat · 09/05/2023 06:58

You run a good school OP. The kids, parents, teachers, other staff and local community know that too.
Put on your iron-woman mask and balls, don’t waffle…remember to Breathe…go out today and smash it with your gentle might.
You have got this🦾

Takoneko · 09/05/2023 07:03

Good luck! We were inspected in the Autumn. We found them very fair and it was a a positive experience. There were a lot of headlines at the time about previously outstanding schools being downgraded but didn’t it definitely didn’t feel like there was an agenda to do that. If they’d wanted an excuse to downgrade us they could have found a plausible one (no school is perfect and there were blips) but they seemed fair and open-minded.

PatchworkWellies · 09/05/2023 07:05

I'm also a governor of an LA school and we had our inspection last month. It was actually a really positive experience, we felt that the inspectors were really trying to help us to showcase the best in our school. We are aware that there are areas for development, which we are working on, and we were open with the inspectors about this. We were honestly delighted with the verbal feedback and then the result.

Nofireworksneeded · 09/05/2023 07:05

I hope you managed to get some sleep.

Punch hard for your school. You know your children get an amazing education with you.

Our recent experience was intense, but fair.

All the best

WinchSparkle80 · 09/05/2023 07:06

You are enough, your school is enough. All the very best OP!

SiblingFights · 09/05/2023 07:08

I think this thread shows what little faith there is in Ofsted and how valued the school community is - we are all behind you.

Good luck Flowers

Corrienation · 09/05/2023 07:11

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airofkfoeksowlwomfo · 09/05/2023 07:16

AlphabetSue · 09/05/2023 06:54

I’m not sure why there’s so much faux naive ‘did they call on a bank holiday’ stuff going on. Maybe we could just say ‘good luck.’

Hope it goes well, OP.

Because it’s so unusual.

Plus a little unfair if schools were notified before the bank holiday weekend as rightly or wrongly it does give them extra preparation time.

My school were done recenty. We had half a day’s notice - as is standard.

Violasaremyfavourite · 09/05/2023 07:30

I find it helpful to visualise stressful occasions going well. I initially used it for public speaking (which I did fear more than death at the time) and just focussed on looking relaxed and confident in my vision. That was exactly how it turned out and I overheard somebody saying that they had no idea that Viola was such a good presenter.

Felucia · 09/05/2023 07:36

With the recent negative publicity about Ofsted, anything negative they come up with will be taken with a pinch of salt.
Good luck today, OP, your school, your staff and you will remain as great as you know they are.

chocolateisavegetable · 09/05/2023 07:41

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Wrong thread?

HebeJeeby · 09/05/2023 07:42

wishing you all the best and hope it goes well. I work in a school in a non- teaching post and we had an OFSTED inspection just before Easter. The Inspectors could not have been nicer or more encouraging- so just wanted to say it might not be as bad as you think. Our Head had been dreading OFSTED for years and was very stressed like you but even she thought the Inspectors couldn’t have been nicer or better. We got a Good. Hope you have a similar experience.

Booklover40 · 09/05/2023 07:55

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Original poster
Oakwoodtrees · 09/05/2023 08:03

Thank you everyone. I won’t be able to reply now though until this evening. Absolutely dreading it

OP posts:
Covidwoes · 09/05/2023 08:12

Teacher here. That is so unusual they rang on a Friday, especially before a bank holiday. I didn't think this was allowed?

Voyager54 · 09/05/2023 08:13

If they are being out of order with their questions or attitude I would tell them straight. I would also record anything that you are not happy with.

Keep calm as they say OP

xcvbn · 09/05/2023 08:14

You got this.

NurseEssie · 09/05/2023 08:16

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These wrong thread posts always make me laugh out loud Grin

Sunshineandrainbow · 09/05/2023 08:19

It will soon be over op. All the very best.