Ofsted Reports

[JB2013]

Dear Mumsnet Forum
Just started the education process for my daughter. What are the key details to focus on in an Ofsted Report ? Any guidance gratefully received.

The general overall feel and tone, the results (this should not be the key factor), parental feedback, what the negatives are/areas for improvement, because every school has them even the outstanding one's.

BUT you get a much better idea when taking a tour round the school and speaking to parents of the children at that school, you can do this at the local park, library and when out and about, just go up and ask as most parents are happy to tell you.

Read the last three and put the best and the worst ones in the bin!

DDs school has changed not one bit in 4 years it's OFSTED has gone from good to awful.

The truth is the school is a pretty reasonable comp doing a pretty reasonable job.

Many thanks for the feedback

Remember that OFSTED reports are not all the same. They keep on moving the goal posts and changing the inspection criteria. So in theory a school ranked as Outstanding 4 years ago may not be as good as a school ranked Good in 2012!
I would say that you need to look for good teaching, good behaviour and good management (Head).
If your child has any additional needs e.g. medical, SEN etc. you also need to look at how well they would support your child.

Not many.

Go visit the schools. Get a feel for the school. Are the children and staff polite/friendly.

My dd went to an nursery attached to an outstanding school. Went into 'play & stay' sessions with younger dc and the school wasn't friendly. Both staff and children ignored us. Went to visit the school nearer to us and was then classed as 'good'. But the atmosphere and the whole school felt much friendlier both children and staff were polite and friendly. And the children seem keen to be there.

Now both dc go there and although it's in 'notice to improve' it's a very good school all children are making if not exceeding expected progress.

And don't forget Ofsted inspectors are in a class for a max of 20mins to make a judgement on that teachers complete teaching standards.

There have been a couple of high profile cases where Ofsted have rated a school or local authority outstanding only to change it to failing a few months later when sent back in after problems have come to light. Haringey and the Baby P case is one example. I would hate to rely on Ofsted reports on their own.