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Primary education

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Original poster

Is this normal, can I complain?

11 replies

Crusoe · 16/10/2013 13:49

Very briefly as I don't want to out myself ... is it normal for a child with additional needs / SEN/ behaviour issues to be taken out of class while Ofsted inspectors are visiting ?

OP posts:

Periwinkle007 · 16/10/2013 14:00

sounds a bit odd unless there were genuine concerns that the child might be disturbed/unsettled by inspectors.

MortifiedAdams · 16/10/2013 14:02

I know a friend whose son was pulled out of school last minute and asked to stay home as he "is stuggling with the workload, is exceptionally tired and needs to recharge his batteries". She later discovered Ofsted visited then.

EachDay · 16/10/2013 14:04

I've no idea if it's "allowed" but IME it is very common for a child with a 121 to be given vital work tidying the PE cupboard or similar or to be some sort of nature project which involves being at the far end of the school field, while the inspectors are in. (With the 121)

Periwinkle007 · 16/10/2013 14:07

do OFSTED not need to observe special needs provision though as part of their inspection? I am quite shocked if they don't.

Original poster

Crusoe · 16/10/2013 14:20

Thanks everyone, I had a fear this type of thing might be common. I am so shocked by it and so upset for the child in question. part of me wants to inform Ofsted but I'm not sure they would even be interested and I do need to maintain a good relationship with this school.

OP posts:

EachDay · 16/10/2013 14:30

You (and your child) should get the opportunity to answer an anonymous questionnaire from the inspectors, assuming you have a child at the school. There will be a space for "any other comments". They should be handed in in sealed envelopes and the school don't get to open them.

They will look at SEN provision but in just the same way that they (probably) won't see all the teachers they won't see all the SEN children either.

moldingsunbeams · 16/10/2013 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShoeWhore · 16/10/2013 14:42

Questionnaires are completed online via something called ParentView now. I don't think there's a place to enter comments like there used to be on the paper form.

Foreverweeding · 17/10/2013 09:39

A school my DCs used to attend did this. There was a boy with extremely challenging behaviour and he was nowhere to be seen during the inspection and reappeared afterwards.

If the inspector had viewed the class as it stood then real problems would have been identified as his behaviour was really impacting on the other children (very violent and disruptive), and it was not being handled well by the staff who were obviously struggling. I witnessed a lot as I helped out in the class.

Unfortunately I think this went on a lot in the past but am surprised this can still be done!

MrsWickens · 17/10/2013 10:02

Yep, used to happen at the school I was a 121 in a few years back. Same as everything completely changed for the OFSTED visit and then went back to 'normal' afterwards.

Shouldn't happen but I'd imagine it was common practice.

CinnabarRed · 17/10/2013 10:07

My PIL are both ex-teachers and have stories about how schools "manage" OFSTED inspections that are absolutely horrifying.

Did you know that there are temp agencies that specialise in providing staff to schools on inspection days? Poop performing staff are told to call in sick that day and the temp turns up instead.

What you've suggested wouldn't surprise my PIL in the slightest.

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