OFSTED inspection I'm a new volunteer reader and panicking if they ask me anything??

[FusionChefGeoff]

OFSTED are in DC school and I have just started going in for a couple of hours to help read. I love the school but this attempt at volunteering has been very chaotic / took ages to get set up. When I first went in at the agreed time, no-one reallly seemed to know where I should be or how to use my time!

I'm worried if I go in tomorrow as normal the inspectors might ask me questions?? Eg I've had no training or safeguarding or induction of any kind which strikes me as 'off policy' and I don't want to get anyone in trouble. I've had kids there for 6 years and am very involved with PTA etc so they knew me well before I volunteered.

Or am I blowing this all out of proportion and they won't speak to me at all so just go in as normal?

I also worry that having me in the classroom always feels quite distracting as kids arent used to me yet so maybe it would be easier for class teachers if i wasnr there??

Ive left a message on school answerphone but i imagine they have other things to worry about so thought of here! Thank you!

We cancel all volunteers in school during ofsted so you've done the right thing, perhaps call again in the morning if you don't hear back. Fingers crossed the inspection isn't too stressful for staff 🤞

Thank you - I was wondering if I was over thinking it but that has reassured me. Yes will definitely call again tomorrow

Definitely don't go in if you have had no safeguarding information. OFSTED can speak to absolutely anyone.

That’s very poor that you’ve had no safeguarding/ induction. You should have completed a full application form, safeguarding checks, references (whether known to school or not), DBS check. This followed by safeguarding training and all relevant policies. You should have signed you’d seen these. If this hasn’t happened the school should be in ‘requires improvement’ immediately due to failing basic safeguarding regulations.

@savoycabbage Not sure I can see it from that perspective - surely if it’s a problem that people haven’t been given appropriate training/information, parents shouldn’t be hiding that?

@savoycabbage that's my worry!! I think I'd know what to do / what safeguarding is etc if they asked me specifics but I've had nothing formal and nothing recorded and I know that's usually a HUGE flag for inspections

I had a full DBS check just no formal training

It’s a red flag because it puts children at risk though- aren’t you worried what other shortcuts they might be taking?

It’s a red flag for a reason. The school is not following legislation set out by the DfE. Ofsted are likely to uncover this whether you are there or not.

@BonnyBo yes this has also occurred to me

DBS check is only one part of safeguarding in recruitment.

I'm not going in tomorrow but thanks to this thread I will ask to speak to the Head next week and let them know that I appear to have slipped through the net so they can review their policies and processes. Thanks all

Yes, I do agree. It's not even a little bit acceptable.

But if I was the OP I wouldn't want to be the one who was questioned about it during an OFSTED inspection.

I have been in a school as a supply teacher, actually a fair few times now, bit once I was asked how many languages the parents spoke and how I was able to communicate with them in the morning when the dc came in and I had to say I didn't know how many languages they spoke - because I didn't. And it was in the OFSTED. Which was fine for me as I have no connection with the school.

Safeguarding govenor (and volunteer reader in a different school) here - you really must have the safeguarding for volunteers training before you go back in. It's online and needs recording on cpoms

Thanks @Neighneigh that's useful to know what I should expect once I've flagged that it's been missed.

After the head that took her own life, what’s the situation now on ofsted and safeguarding? I would imagine ofsted can look at staff and volunteers and match up training records so could find out you have been missed. After ofsted leave, pop in and ask to see the head. Don’t see what else you can do.