ofstead reports - how much to believe??

[jennybensmummy]

i have been looking into schools for my son, he is autistic but will be going to a mainstrem school and then if he doesnt cope there then statemented - nottinghamshire policy - bloody stupid imo!! anyway, im looking at ofsted reports for all the ones were considering and trying to decide as some sound awful in them and some perfect!! how much do i trust them??

i should add, im going to look around them too but it gives an idea of which to look around and also how well special needs kids do etc

i don't trust them tooooo much cos ofsted visits are always planned.

Read them but ultimately you need to visit, ask lots of questions and go with what you as his mother think is right for yuor boy.

Nappy schools only get very short notice now so that is not as much of an issue now as it used to be.

I do agree that you need to visit a school but there is useful information to bear in mind.

how much is very short notice? My dad is a teacher and when ofsted were coming in he was up all night doing all sorts of things he wouldn't usually do That's why I don't trust them too much. Just because an ofsted report says they are good at such and such doesn't mean they do it like that all the time.

We had two days notice of our Ofsted. Not much time to tart stuff up. We got outstanding . They do matter, but not nearly as much as the feel you get by visiting.

I think we got 2 days, there is only so much you can cover up in 2 days, I would be happy for ofsted to walk in off the street though.

Why do they give them 2 days notice rather than just a complete shock visit?

Because there is a lot of paperwork they need to see and the school needs that time to get it together.

Like Twinset, most teachers at a good school would be happy for an inspector to visit their classroom unannounced, but the inspection involves far more than just the classroom visits, there is a huge amount of admin that needs to be done. Basically, if a school is inspected every three years, then the inspector needs to do spot checks at least on three years worth of documentation to be sure that things have been done as they should have been. The inspection is very thorough, and to get it done in the time available everything has to be ready for the inspector when he or she arrives. That isn't to do with covering up, it is just common sense.

Yes I agree LadyGlencora I am being simplistic. I glad they have cut down on the notice, I worked at an "outstanding" school once that onlt got that rating as they had so much notice and were able to do things like send all their naughty pupils on holiday.

A good inspector will be able to tell if a lesson is just for show and does nor reflect normal practice. They even ask the kids is this what a normal lessons is like. Kids are often honest.

Hmm thanks worth bearing that in mind too. can i ask, when it says on the report how many sen kids wirth stateents and how many without, where is this figure from?? obvoously the number with statements is easy as they are a legal thing and allbut without, could this count different things in different schools, like would some schools count everything from a bit behind in things and needing more help in reading to severe disabilities whereas other schools would be just ones that have significant help??? as im looking at those figures a little with interest as i want a school where ben isnt the only different child if you know wat i mea, i know some of this i will get from looking around too it just gives us an idea! also any idea how the numbers are worked out - for example the "how well pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities make progress" as obviously this is imprtant to me!
thanks xx

I wouldn't trust reports. They are very subjective. I have seen tachers who I know are harsh and bullying with the kids get outstanding because their lesson ticked the boxes and teachers I know to be exceptionally creative and caring get lower grades because they didn't tick those same boxes during that particular 20-30 minutes. Obviously you as the public don't see the reports on individual teachers, but I think it calls inspectors' judgement into doubt.

I don't think that kids can always tell the inspector what they need to know. They may be honest, but they are also very loyal and easily influenced.

I think your key question should be how many autistic children they have/have had in the school and exactly what they did to support them, including what training/outside support the teacher had. Also ask about the amount of Learning Assistant support there will be in the class and whether any have been on training for children with various special needs.

I have taught children on the autistic spectrum with absolutely no advice from anywhere and realise that I did a huge disservice to the first ones, simply because I did not understand why they reacted as they did and was trying to balance the needs of the other 30/31/32 children in the class. I wish I could go back and do it again properly, but children do not get a second chance at school.

Be a pushy parent - you will have to push for what your child needs.

"I have been looking into schools for my son, he is autistic but will be going to a mainstream school and then if he doesnt cope there then statemented - nottinghamshire policy - bloody stupid imo!!"

Probably illegal as well if Notts are acting in such a manner. I would talk to IPSEA and or SOS;SEN in your case. Blanket policies are not permitted and the LEA know the law.

The criteria for a Statement is (and should be) need; not cost or certainly not to let him struggle (affecting you as well) before they say, "Oh okay you can apply for a Statement now". A Statement as well can take six months to set up - did you know this?. Would suggest you also look at IPSEA's website and get guidance on applying for the Statement yourself asap.

Following on from reindeersnake's very good response I would write to each school individually explaining your son's additional needs and asking how they could exactly accommodate him with no statement in place. Have a good look at the school SENCO as well; a good one is valuable, a not so good one is next to useless.

I would also post your original response on the Special Needs forum of this website as you will get replies that way too.

www.ipsea.org.uk

don't waste your time reading OFSTED reports, visit the school, take your son with you, gey a feel for the place

also, most importantly, find some people with children already at the school, they will be able to tell you lots more than any report

"could this count different things in different schools, like would some schools count everything from a bit behind in things and needing more help in reading to severe disabilities whereas other schools would be just ones that have significant help???"

Hi...regarding your question about the figures used to give the number of children with SEN but without statements....it is taken from the school's SEN register. I.e. how many children are at School Action and School Action Plus. It should be a pretty consistent system as children have to meet certain criteria in order to qualify for SA or SAP. However, SA and SAP numbers are not separated in the OFSTED report so you may want to ask at the schools how many SAP children they have, as these kids may have fairly significant SEN.

Definitely visit the school, talk to the staff (especially about SEN provision) and go on your feelings about it rather than reports.

If you are looking at Ofsted as a first point of reference look at the sections on curriculum provision and the personal social development / care and wellbeing sections.
Don't get hooked on the attainment bits - they can be very misleading.