OfStEd coming tomorrow - arghhh!

[ChipButty]

This is my third Ofsted but the first short inspection. Anyone who's been through a short inspection have any advice? I'm getting pathetically wound up for a teacher of 12 years' experience. I'm KS2 BTW. TIA xx

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Just wanted to say good luck and it will all be over soon. We had ours in December. I am KS2 too.

I got in a right state when OTSTED came to my previous school especially when they made it clear they wanted to fail us. I would make sure things like your mark books are up to date. But it depends what their focus is. With us they wanted evidence of what we were doing to raise achievement and make effective interventions.

No useful experience but good luck. It will all be over soon.

I think the short inspections mostly focus on school policies and paperwork, rather than observation of lessons. They simply don't have the time.

Thanks, Rupert. I'm going to lie down in a darkened room now and repeat my mantra, 'This too shall pass'...

yes I agree ST ours spent most of their time with the head. But when they came into lessons they were asking to see marked exercise books and markbooks.

Because SMT knew I was so anal about that kind of thing they kept sending them to me.

Thanks, everyone.

Thanks, everyone.

If they are coming tomorrow, there is not much you can do to cover anything that you should have already been doing but haven't.

If your lesson is inspected, you have to make sure that you have a kosher lesson plan (3 point), and that every child in your class makes progress.

I like that mantra! I also like 'Keep calm and carry on.'
We did have lots of lesson observations with our short inspection - almost every teacher was watched but only for 10-15 minutes each. It depends what they are focussing on in your school and what your SIP says.
Good luck.

We are preparing for an ISI (independent equivalent to Ofsted) next year, and one of the useful things to focus on is your last inspection.

You should read the previous report and see if you can address any weaknesses or improvement points.

It is pretty difficult to change anything at such short notice though. But reading the old report would be something you could do today and keep in mind for tomorrow.

If your school is having a short inspection, you are probably doing well in most categories, so the key thing is just to keep doing what you are already doing well. No pressure!

Good advice ST.

Good luck. Be prepared for the fact that they might not see you at all, or only see you for 20 minutes, depending what the school SEF has to say about you. If the SLT say you are outstanding Ofsted are likely to pop in for just 20 minutes to check that SLT are right! Because they are likely to see lots of bits of lessons, the mini-plenary is your friend because, whatever part they arrive in the lesson, you will be able to make it obvious what they have learned so far and where this fits into 'the big picture'.

Don't forget to take in a packet of biscuits for much needed sugar rushes during the day!

Oh I meant SEF didn't I not SIP. What's a SIP then? I get very confused...

SIP = school improvement plan
SEF = school evaluation plan (or is it self evaluation plan or something like that?)

Thank you - I admit I do tend to tune out when all these acronyms come up in meetings.

How is it going, ChipButty?

Good luck-the really good thing is that you don't have too long to worry and it will soon be over!

We are a good school (I'd have told them, if they'd have asked!!).
Going for a glass of wine now.
Thanks for all your kind words and advice.