Is it 'done' to question / argue a point with an OFSTED inspector?

[lecce]

Just that, really. If they make a point about something that happened during the lesson, can you justify yourself or are you supposed to just nod and smile?

If you have ever said something in that position, did it make any difference?

Btw, I'm not talking about arguing over lesson grades really, more the nitty-gritty of the lesson's content.

Being that they rarely stay for the whole of the lesson, I have argued my point with an inspector when they said they'd expected to have seen something. I pointed out politely that I had done that when they'd popped out to go and see someone else's lesson for 20 mins, before coming back to catch my plenary.

I wouldn't 'argue' but I would make my point 'firmly' to them. They are on;y there for 2 days but can have an impact on a school for years.
If you're not happy with something they say or think they got the wrong end of a stick - tell them. They might not change their mind... but if you don't correct them you will regret not saying anything

I have politely stated my case with them, but I find it doesn't really make a difference.

I justified my lesson plan to an inspector a couple if weeks ago. He took my comments on board and although my grade didn't go up I felt better that he had the right impression of me, rather than thinking I hadnt thought about the points he made earlier.

I argued my point as she gave me a satisfactory observation. When she listed her reasons she clearly hadn't read my lesson plan and had missed the first part of the lesson as I had done everything she just missed it! I politely argued my case and I have no idea if she changed my grade but she did write what I said down. She then gave me an outstanding after that so I like to think she wasn't annoyed with me!

I know for a fact you can argue your case in an early years inspection, in fact I know of at least 2 settings where the manager has argued successfully for the grade to go up a level. half the time the inspectors are less experienced than the teachers (in early years at least, since the outsourcing of early years inspectors )

I think it depends on your inspector really. We were very, very lucky and had one who made it clear from the beginning that inspection is a two way process and what we said would be taken on board. There were a couple of things I argued against which he listened to and changed his view accordingly but by then I think he was satisfied we knew our stuff and he really wasn't trying to trip us up.

In my whole teaching career, I've been through five OFSTEDs and in three of them I've felt listened to and respected. One was horrible, one was meh, so I think on balance I've been super lucky

Oh, we're Early Years...

yes you can 'argue' your case. If the inspector has said that x,y,z didn't happen and you have evidence to prove it did/does (i.e. your LP and x happened when the inspector wasn't in the room or a marked book etc)

At a recent Ofsted inspection at my school we were told very firmly by the Lead Inspector that although we would be given brief feedback for any sessions observed, it was just that. Feedback. No discussion or debate would be allowed. And they stuck to their word. Anyone who tried to query/explain/expand on anything that was said in feedback was very swiftly put back in their box. I think it depends on the team you get. I see it as another example of how inspections aren't consistent, and that individual styles and approaches of inspectors can effect your overall outcome. Very frustrating.

affect