Mock Ofsted / mini reviews

[dippingbackin]

We have just been told we are having yet another 'mocksted' next week. This is the second one since September. Since about mid 2012 we have been getting them almost termly.

I work in a secondary Academy and just wondered if other schools are having this level of internal inspection?

We have them about as frequently as you are. They're exhausting! I'm also in a secondary academy. We had one last week - first week back after the holidays! And another set of obs today. Fortunately, I was the observer today, not the other way round.

We were in SM until about 2 years ago, so got reviewed/checked constantly. It seems to have continued since we became an academy, but because we're no longer LA, we can't do anything about it.

I am an eternal optimist and try to look on the bright side... At least it means I'm always prepared! In my first school, many moons ago, the 2 weeks notice period for OFSTED was without doubt the most stressful fortnight of my life.

I

I thought we didn't have to agree to mock inspections, according to union guidelines.

We were and one union was about to go down strike route (there were lots of other issues) but then real Ofsted came along. Despite getting good we still have similair issues which regional union rep was up in arms about, for example email at 3.00 on Friday about mock ofsted on Monday. Then work to rule occurred. Our reps negotiated that the only thing we would work to rule on was no more than 3 obs a year per person.

Do you have sting union presence?

*strong

I agree, a mock OFSTED comes under the Work to Rule exclusion list from NASUWT and possibly other unions too.

Thanks for your replies. We have been told today that LG are reviewing two departments each term and we are first up. Apparently once this is done that will be it for this academic year...not convinced. We are the strongest department so are being seen first to get some evidence of good practice. As usual we are being penalised for doing our job properly!

I am so fed up of jumping through Ofsted hoops day in day out. Every hour I spend colour coding bloody seating plans is an hour less spent planning a decent Post 16 lesson which will actually improve results!

Rant over...

I often suspect they go to good department so they have strong evidence if ofsted comes to see them. We have a learning walk a half term and I have never learnt anything form it. Really it should be called an observation walk.

We're a primary academy converter and about to have our second one this academic year. SLT are SO scared of Ofsted, it's unbelievable. Teachers are brilliant but will not cope with this much pressure in the long term.

Is there still a limit of three observations a year or was that dropped? Is that obs by SMT or anyone?

How much notice/warning do you all get of these observations? A week? Or are they just drop ins at some point during a given week?

dippin you sound like you are in my old school!