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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:
WombatStewForTea · 09/05/2023 08:24

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/05/2023 08:29

The ofsted site says it notifies schools usually around lunchtime on the last school day before the inspection.

In this case that will be Friday.

And so what if the OP has dropped a quick one line post in at 8am this morning. Takes the same time as sending a text.

If you are sus of the OP then just report the thread, instead of acting all Poirot about it all.

turnthetoiletpaperroundproperly · 09/05/2023 08:29

Hey OP before they come take 5 mins and google the ofsted song by fascinating aida on you tube. I promise you you will feel better after listening to that!

noblegiraffe · 09/05/2023 08:44

The ofsted site says it notifies schools usually around lunchtime on the last school day before the inspection.

In this case that will be Friday.

They don’t call on a Friday. Lots of heads report heaving a sigh of relief on a Wednesday afternoon as it means they won’t get the call that week.

JPduck · 09/05/2023 08:53

Good luck for today 🤞🏻

TallulahBetty · 09/05/2023 08:59

OFSTED in SATS week?! Harsh!

JudgeJ · 09/05/2023 09:10

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.

After hearing about experiences close to home I would tell any Head to record the verbal feedback so that when the report totally contradicts it they have ammunition!

Skyblue92 · 09/05/2023 09:26

noblegiraffe · 09/05/2023 08:44

The ofsted site says it notifies schools usually around lunchtime on the last school day before the inspection.

In this case that will be Friday.

They don’t call on a Friday. Lots of heads report heaving a sigh of relief on a Wednesday afternoon as it means they won’t get the call that week.

They do call on Fridays, it’s complete myth that they don’t just like they can inspect Friday and then on Monday. It might be unusual but it does happen

WonderingWanda · 09/05/2023 09:26

I hope your first day is going well op. I always find the anticipation of Ofsted much more nerve wracking than them being in the building, a bit like interview nerves. Once I'm in front of a class or working with colleagues I just do what I do and feel cofident in it. I hope this is the same for you. Remember, you can only be what you are as a school, ofsted judgements are very arbitrary and experienced teachers know there's a whole lot more to what makes a school good or bad. Over the years I've worked in crap schools who have managed to secure a secure a good outcome by managing to tick the right boxes, that made me really angry, and I've also seen great schools downgraded because they've missed something. As a parent and a teacher I trust my instincts when I walk around snf meet the staff rather than it's ofsted outcome. Good luck!

Mariposista · 09/05/2023 09:45

Just remember OP that the OFSTED inspector is a human just like you and me. He/she got up this morning, got dressed, ate breakfast, said goodbye to their family, and drove to work, just like you. They would get ill if they ate gone-off food, they breathe, they go to the bathroom, they have friends, they have things that worry them. They are human.
This advice (given my my grandfather) helped greatly with stressful situations.
Good luck to you and your teachers.

noblegiraffe · 09/05/2023 10:51

Skyblue92 · 09/05/2023 09:26

They do call on Fridays, it’s complete myth that they don’t just like they can inspect Friday and then on Monday. It might be unusual but it does happen

Show quote history

Why was it news and raised concerns when they did it to avoid teacher strikes then? Why are we not hearing about bank holiday weekends being ruined by Ofsted?

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-teacher-strikes-monday-school-inspection

Ofsted changes rules to avoid teacher strike

In a break from usual Ofsted convention, some schools will be told on Friday that they will be inspected on Monday, prompting concern for staff wellbeing

https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/ofsted-teacher-strikes-monday-school-inspection

louderthan · 09/05/2023 17:30

Another one rooting for you OP. I'm not a teacher but my mum and lots of my friends are. Solidarity.

Purplecatshopaholic · 09/05/2023 17:43

Hope it went well op. Let us know!

Pegsandsunshine · 09/05/2023 20:33

Mariposista · 09/05/2023 09:45

Just remember OP that the OFSTED inspector is a human just like you and me. He/she got up this morning, got dressed, ate breakfast, said goodbye to their family, and drove to work, just like you. They would get ill if they ate gone-off food, they breathe, they go to the bathroom, they have friends, they have things that worry them. They are human.
This advice (given my my grandfather) helped greatly with stressful situations.
Good luck to you and your teachers.

Sadly, no. Many are vile (possibly but not sure) human beings who are incompetent at what they do and get dressed to make people miserable.

LaughingCat · 10/05/2023 17:55

Eeeep…just caught this thread - hope you’re doing well, OP and that the inspectors recognise all the good work you guys are doing!

Soproudoflionesses · 10/05/2023 18:00

How did it go op? I hope they were kind to you

Chubbymummyof2 · 10/05/2023 18:02

I hope today has gone well OP. Can’t believe anyone voted YABU!

exaltedwombat · 10/05/2023 18:04

Yes, an OFSTED can go tits-up. Sometimes they seem merely perverse. But there's a ray of light. After recent publicity, public opinion is more on your side than ever before. Let's hope you don't need it!

DucksNewburyport · 10/05/2023 18:04

YANBU and I think the stress out on headteachers by Ofsted is appalling.

wewillalwayshaveparis · 10/05/2023 18:16

Fingers crossed for you

BaconChops · 10/05/2023 18:16

I feel your pain. My son is currently in the same situation Weds-Fri. He’s normally very level headed about things but he’s barely eaten/slept. I hope you get through it okay and it all goes well 🍀

JaffavsCookie · 10/05/2023 18:24

Hope it all went ok OP, rubbish timing with SATS too.

bossyrossy · 10/05/2023 18:24

Wear an outfit that you feel most confident in. Good luck.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 10/05/2023 18:26

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

Are they inspecting you during SATs? That seems insane and unfair. If Ofsted were even halfway reasonable, they wouldn't inspect primaries during SATs week.

mrsblueskyeye · 10/05/2023 18:32

Schools are NOT notified on a Friday. FES providers are. No inspections in schools starting the day after a bank holiday.

I know this. 😉