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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:
Original poster
Oakwoodtrees · 10/05/2023 18:32

I’ll update properly later but we’ve had a rollercoaster ride over the past 2 days. Lots and lots of positives but also a few negatives. Just watching a film with my children but I will update properly later.

OP posts:
wildfirewonder · 10/05/2023 18:33

How did it go?

I am so sorry OFSTED are so dreadful, it shouldn't be like this.

Even if it was terrible please try to take care of yourself.

MMUmum · 10/05/2023 18:41

As a care home manager we were subject to very rigorous inspections, back in the day we had one announced and one unannounced inspection every year, sometimes more. In the week before an announced inspection we spent time making sure I's were dotted and T's crossed. I assembled all of my statutory records in a crate in the office, I worked with dementia sufferers and the night before inspection one of our ladies went to the loo in the crate😱 we hastily covered everything in talcum.powder and wrapped them up in plastic bags. I did ask the inspector if he wanted to check them but not surprisingly he declined. I have had good and bad inspections and I really feel your anxiety, just anticipate the relief when it's all over

jo19 · 10/05/2023 18:41

I just don’t understand why Ofsted would visit any primary school during SATs week. As if there isn’t enough stress already this week to have Ofsted turn up too seems unusually cruel. Particularly in light of recent criticisms of their behaviours.

Good luck is all I can offer. Telling you not to worry is pointless because of corse you will. The fact that you do worry just shows what a good head you are because it shows you care.

DoodleDoo37 · 10/05/2023 18:41

For some context here - my kids go to an excellent private international school - gets great results - most students get their top Uni choices in UK (Russell Group) and internationally - US and Europe. Kids are happy and well adjusted. The most recent Ofsted report rated the school "Inadequate" - which was very surprising - both to the Management, Teachers and Parents. I read through the Ofsted report myself and Teaching had been rated "good" - but the points they seemed to pick up on were all related to Pastoral Care, Mental Health etc and if little Johnnny or Sarah fall over in the playground there isn't a huge file going through it all and explaining what happened and what the next steps are etc etc.... also signage in the schools blah blah - so long story short - it's about knowing what caused the rating - and explain that to the parents..... as long as the kids are happy - studying well and getting the best results they are capable of - then parents will be ok - and for whatever little points they do raise - show that you have an action plan and are dealing with it. Given all the negative press recently concerning Ofsted- I think most parents will be on your side already! Stay strong.

Mammajay · 10/05/2023 18:48

With the recent publicity around offsted, people will now not take them so literally. Hope all goes well. You know how good you are

Littlepiggietoes · 10/05/2023 18:49

I hope you’re ok - ofsted are a bloody nightmare and something really does need to change. I say this as an EY professional with a good friend who is an ofsted inspector.

DunkingMyDonuts · 10/05/2023 18:52

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. 😉

So are you saying you dont believe the OP?

Restinggoddess · 10/05/2023 18:53

I have been in your shoes

Make notes of every meeting - verbatim quotes if necessary

You have the right to complain about any aspect of the process- hence the notes.

They will find negatives - because they have to justify their existence

Many of them can’t / do t do the job you do

Hope all went well
On the other side of this reflect on why you felt as you did eg areas you were not clear on, member of staff who is wobbly
I did 22 years of this - it’s not easy and inspectors vary greatly- stay strong and positive

Newnewland · 10/05/2023 18:58

You’ve got this. It’s a horrible system but trust your hard work that you out in every single day. Update us 💗

Gettingolderandgrumpier60 · 10/05/2023 18:59

The post is dated 8th (Monday). School would have received ‘the call’ on Monday and then inspectors are in 1 or 2 days.
Glad it went well. I’m a retired primary headteacher and went through 7 (or 8) Ofsteds. No one really understands the pressure and intensity of an inspection on the head, particularly as any criticism is so personal as it’s your school. Enjoy the rest of the term and enjoy feeling that you (hopefully) won’t see them again for 4/5 years.

Shinyandnew1 · 10/05/2023 19:03

The post is dated 8th (Monday). School would have received ‘the call’ on Monday and then inspectors are in 1 or 2 days.

On Bank holiday Monday?

Sallybates · 10/05/2023 19:13

I completely understand- been there! Just get through the day, keep smiling . Support your staff. Be accessible to the f@ckers. Their job will hopefully be deleted in the near future. They add very little good and increase stress needlessly. Cost a fortune and understand little. SATs week as well! Shows minimal sensitivity despite what their leader says.

chaosmaker · 10/05/2023 19:14

I never understand inspections, it was the same with EHO when I worked with food. Always get a heads up. Why do they warn you, knowing that everyone tarts everything up causing way more stress, rather than turning up and seeing it as it actually is? It makes no sense to me. Although if everyone agreed that Ofstead did nothing of value and actually caused harm by bigging up schools that had a personal connection somehow then maybe they'd drop it? You'd have thought that monetary rewards would go to the worst schools anyway in a bid to make them better.

Hope it all goes well anyway.

chaosmaker · 10/05/2023 19:16

My partners AP gets inspected far more regularly than every 4/5 years and they are a tiny team with a 3-1 ratio of pupils to staff. SO stressful.

OutDamnedSpot · 10/05/2023 19:16

Why do they warn you, knowing that everyone tarts everything up causing way more stress, rather than turning up and seeing it as it actually is?

’tarting things up’ wouldn’t help for OFSTED. It’s a much deeper look than that.

chaosmaker · 10/05/2023 19:18

You know what I meant!

ChristinaXYZ · 10/05/2023 19:25

Just remember that the inspectors are people too - mostly ex-teachers. Knowing several I know how hard they work to do a good job for the kids and for the schools they visit. The have their job to do and they have to do it within the rules but they are not out to get you personally. Try and take a mental step back.

And, if the worst comes to the worst and you've tripped up over some admin thing that is one of the automatic downgrades - then again, it is not you, it is the system. Hard not to take it personally when you put your heart and soul into your school but you really do have to try and get a bit of distance in your head for your own sake. And remember hundreds of schools have had issues since inspections strated up again. There is less professional embarrassment now over a down grade than 5 years ago because it has happened to so very many. You're not alone and you and the school will be ok.

I am not saying if problems emerge that there will not be some difficulties or a bit more stress but you're an expereicned professional, you'll deal with it, you'll support your staff and you'll be absolutely fine. Don't make it more than it is - just a routine inspection among thousands every year.

Jeannie88 · 10/05/2023 19:44

Have been through so many ofsteds and now on side of contributing to ofsted as a governor. Please know, as you say, you run a good school and they will see that. I know it's criteria judgement and box ticking but it also has a lot to do with the feeling of the school, feedback from students etc. Yes we always feel the worst, ie unpredictable behaviour, but that's the reality of the children we care for and how it's dealt with that is the focus, which of course you know. It's an unfair system which makes already stressed staff fearful of a snippet judgement. I remember the old days of week long ofsted and being observed every day, it was hard but also positive as they saw the positive and had to some some advoce (eg you could change your display every lesson). Best of luck, never easy 👍

Mysa74 · 10/05/2023 19:52

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

It is possible. My daughter's primary academy has Ofsted in today and tomorrow. The head sent emails out very early yesterday morning saying they'd been notified and could parents follow a link to fill in questionnaires and get their children to do children's ones asap.

toomuchlaundry · 10/05/2023 20:00

@Mysa74 what has happened in your school is normal. The phone call will be the day before inspectors come in. That is why posters were querying how the phone call for OP’s school was on Bank Holiday Monday. Your school’s phone call was on Tuesday

Shinyandnew1 · 10/05/2023 20:07

It is possible. My daughter's primary academy has Ofsted in today and tomorrow.

Why does your daughter’s school having a perfectly standard phone call on a Tuesday for a Wednesday/Thursday inspection mean that a phone call on a Bank Holiday Monday (or the Friday before) for a Tuesday/Wednesday visit is plausible?!

I know that some schools had a Friday call the week before the strikes in March but this was highly irregular and Ofsted even announced they would be doing it in advance. I have never known them to do this due to a Bank holiday.

Morgysmum · 10/05/2023 20:37

You do an amazing job, just remember that, breath and count to 100 before dealing with them. Good luck I am sure you will be OK.

Llian13 · 10/05/2023 20:39

Sending best wishes to you and your school. Having worked in a school I know how absolutely nerve wracking this is. Take a deep breath and continue to tell yourself your school is fabulous, which I’m sure it is. It will soon be over. Sending you prayers for a good result. X

Emeraldrings · 10/05/2023 20:41

I hate Ofsted. I was so relieved I was on my first aid course when they visited nursery but will have to face them at some stage.
The things we can get marked down for are ridiculous. Even not signing a memo can get you marked down.
We need a better system.