Join us for a webchat with Ofsted's Chief Inspector of Education Sir Michael Wilshaw – 11.30-12.30, Tuesday 9 September 2014

[VikkiMumsnet]

As the academic year in England, Wales and NI gets underway, we're pleased to welcome Sir Michael Wilshaw into MNHQ for a webchat on Tuesday 8th September, for an hour from 11.30am.

As Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England since 2012, Sir Michael's responsibilities cover every aspect of Ofsted's work, from inspections to exams, reporting on the quality of education and children's services at both local and national level. His former career includes 43 years in teaching, with 26 spent as a head teacher in London secondary schools – most recently as Executive Principal at Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney.

You can catch up with Sir Michael's most recent views on everything from poverty to private schools here.

Post your questions for Sir Michael below, and be sure to join us live on the 8th, from 11.30am.

I shouldn't have mentioned the specific school, but I'd still be interested, should anyone know, how many times inspection reports have been shelved.

Blue I never liked Gove however the one thing I liked about him and what I like about Wilshaw is not being afraid to argue for what he believes in,a desire to sort out social mobility and to improve standards.

I agree re the c/m issue however overall I think he does a good job.

Re c/mI think he is only looking at it from the point of view of disadvantaged kids.I do think he and ministers actually also need to look at those kids in the middle.There do seem to be some sweeping measures brought in to help the disadvantaged that gloss over those in the middle ie those feeding their kids just fine,not letting their kids truant and enjoying good childcare from childminders.

I can see his point.In some areas there will be a drought of good or above childminders and some nurseries aren't exactly great.It is important that in these areas disadvantaged kids get good care.School based provision will often work closely with school to provide what they want when kids start school,they can share resources and work closely together.

What I don't understand is the lack of a desire for settings to work together.As I said I was an Outstanding childminder who took my charges at 3 for a few hours a week to the school attached Outstanding pre- school.They had the best of both worlds ie a caring home type environment with a fantastic pre-school education.

Disadvantaged kids are a minority so not understanding re the emphasis on 2 for all.Yes school based nursery would benefit some from 2 but certainly not all,my own dc for a start or my charges.He does need to address and clarify thinks a bit,maybe he will.

I feel with the childminder issue that there needs to be a seperation between "care" and "education". I feel that providing fanastic childcare is very different to providing a fanastic education.

A school based nursery class is far more pressurised than a day nursery or a childminder. A child will thrive in a school based nursery for 3 hours, but it unreasonable to expect a child to cope with that level of intensity of work for ten hours. Michael wants young children to be in a large group environment and childminders by their nature do not provide a school type environment.

I think he could have dodged the difficult questions and he didn't, even if his answers weren't always full.

I was just going to post that

There are quite a few misconceptions on what cms do or offer and yet thousands of parents choose home based childcare and education...parental choice is really important

Care and education cannot be separated and never have been ...it is impossible as teachers will find when 2 year olds will be in their class

Should 2 year olds be in schools in the first place when parents are up in arms their children do not have a place at age 5?
I understand now what Wilshaw was saying in his article...sad he only answered one question from CMs

I also wish he'd drop "the sharp elbowed middle classes" thing.

Wanting and helping your child to reach their full potential is a good thing whatever your class(if we have to refer to class).

I sometimes think the powers that be think it's ok for the rich,the poor and ethnic minorities to want the best for their dc but not those in the middle.Not sure how that attitude helps social mobility.I actually think it puts some parents off getting involved or pushing their child.

I also think it's a bit hypocritical to want such sharp elbowed parents spread around as he has been quoted as saying.It's as if being a "pushy" parent is fine only if and when it's where the powers to be want it.

Aside from that and the c/m issue I do feel he is very much on the side of the parent,wish more were.

Seagullsandsand

I agree with what you are saying - about there being a drought of good or outstanding, but feel personally that he should have said 'childcare provision'
Instead he specifically mentioned childminders and that was wrong.
As you know, childminders are getting a rough deal at the moment, with a lot of blame being put on them as to the poor development of young children, which is unfair and unfounded - 78% of good or outstanding CM provision says different.

2 year old provision is still new to parents so therefore cannot be used at this point in time as they haven't started school yet - he needs to give it 2 or 3 years to start seeing the benefit or failings
Anything up to now cannot be laid at CM's doors - most 2 year olds haven't attended any provision until recently

@tobeabat
Thank you for the link - shall read later

What a pity sir wilshaw didn't keep that key line in his head before opening his mouth!

Yes getting Good or Outstanding as a c/m isn't easy.

Maybe he hasn't sat through a c/m inspection.

The fact that so many childminders asked for an explanation about sir Michael's grossly generalised and demeaning comment surely shows how much it has affected childminders across the country.
Sir Michael did a great job of answering that question like a politician would. So SOME areas are missing qualified childminders who offer high quality care and teaching but there are ALOT of nurseries that also have staff who are not as highly trained as childminders.

Gosh I got so distracted writing my question I went completely off topic. I know Ofsted are not responsible for early years funding, it was just on my mind and came out! There are criteria from Ofsted to fulfill to receive funding and that got lost in my rant.

Like parentvoice I wasn't expecting an answer I just hope I can make Sir Michael and others aware of my experience. I really do think that Ofsted do not want small early years childcare providers to continue unless they are the school nursery model. I'm going to read the report tobeabat linked to with interest, as I don't believe school nurseries are the 'end of' solution for early years. There should be respect for parental choice be it nurseries, childminder, pre-school, etc. If that choice is pre-school, then they can only continue to improve if Ofsted are fully supportive, clearly they are not. I appreciate I have a really particular axe to grind here though!

@tobeabat

Okay, off to google this -

Ofsted evidence shows unequivocally that children from disadvantaged backgrounds do better in school-based nurseries than anywhere else.

Hello,

Thanks for the feedback on what was an engaging session.

I said there was evidence that children from disadvantaged backgrounds do better in school-based nurseries than anywhere else.

To support this, I’d point you towards the Ofsted Early Years Annual Report which we published in April – specifically pages 22 and 23. The document is online at www.ofsted.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/annual-reports/o/Ofsted%20Early%20Years%20Annual%20Report%20201213.pdf

This highlights research which finds that children from poorer families make the best progress when they attend the highest quality settings. And the only form of early education provision that is at least strong, or even stronger, in deprived areas compared with wealthier areas is nursery schools.

Also, research shows that children from poorer families make the best progress when they have highly qualified staff and, particularly, when they are supported by trained teachers.

They key point is that more poorer children must have high quality early education so that they can be ready to learn when they start school. That’s how to improve social mobility.

I hope that’s helpful.

Sir Michael

Thank you for coming back to clarify but can I confirm what you would recommend in an area like mine

Choice of 4 playschools all run on school sites but NOT by the school with staff who are level 2/3 qualified. 1 playschool awarded inadequate OR a degree qualified OFSTeD graded outstanding childminder????? Do you see how your statement is not necessarily true across the country? We do not have access to teachers who run nurseries in schools here and yet you have completely dismissed all my hard work and qualifications and experience not to mention devaluing the grade that your organisation has awarded me twice this year!

Wow. You deleted my comment.

Let me rephrase it.

I personally find it a little odd that Michael Wilshaw signed off quite a few of his posts as 'Sir Michael'. It's about the role, not the title, surely?

To be fair LR, it's pretty standard ime.

I just don't see the need.

thanks very interesting. I agree that drop ins or observations are vital in improving standards or even collegiality/team work; it was the grading I found irksome

they all do that - its like Dame Judy, or whatever. tis etiquette innit

Yeah, I know. Etiquette really needs to be back on the curriculum. 'How to address one's betters' or summat.

he was a teacher, not Lord bloody Fauntleroy #chippy