Would you 'whistleblow' in this situation?

[wornelbowpatches]

I've name changed for obvious reasons, but I'm a regular.

My school has a subject specific ofsted/HMI visit at the moment. I found out today that staff in that subject were told to enter data earlier than deadline, without having marked assessments. They were told to 'make it look good'. So they made up data. It was apparently then made to look more realistic.

This is one of many things hidden, or swept away. Particularly the terrible behaviour of pupils which is in order by SLT.

It makes me so angry that they can fudge this. I'm no fan of ofsted, but hate this game.

Would you say anything? And how? Or keep quiet?

Apart from what you are explaining is at best unethical isnt it also illegal in that people are being asked to commit fraud. Do you really need to ask what to do

I'm not sure how to do it anonymously. I will need a reference from this school and don't want to destroy my career

I am no expert but I am sure ofstead would have an ethics hotline or equivalent where you could be anonymous.

OP I think it depends if you want to carry on working there.

I think this says a hell of a lot about the lengths to which OFSTED and the government have driven schools.

If you think that this is typical of the school and its SLT,then fine, whistleblow. If you are convinced that you are doing the right thing, then you won't worry about anonymity. What's likely to happen though? OFSTED are unlikely to sweep in and sack the entire SLT. The ones who will be held to account would likely be the subject teachers and HOD.

I think it sounds shitty, but I think that this is where the current government have pushed things to.

I make up data that isn't based on assessments all the time in my school. All my reported 'current levels' except in the summer are a work of fiction teacher judgement. So I'm not sure there's much to go on there. How will this made-up data improve Ofsted's view?

How are they hiding the poor behaviour?

I see and hear about things like this happening a lot. Controlled assessments being meddled with to get better results, levels made up or inflated, problem pupils sent off site for Ofsted... it's dreadful, but it's out there.
There's no point whistleblowing, nothing to gain, but I'm voting with my feet and leaving the profession while I still have some integrity.

Data because it is poor results over a number of years that has triggered the inspection.

Behaviour because there are SLT on corridors, extra staff on duty, 'problem' students removed.

Normally we are not supported with behaviour, there are no SLT to help etc.

SLT suddenly patrolling the corridors in an inspection is normal isn't it?

If the data is bollocks then it will come out in the GCSE results and possibly trigger another inspection?

Yeah I know. I'm just so frustrated and demoralised. We have a lovely two days tea hung and being supported. And then back to usual and horrid behaviour with no support.

I'd whistleblow. Is there a policy at your school?

Here's how to

www.gov.uk/whistleblowing/overview

I'd totally whistleblow.

Happens everywhere AFAIK!

Integrity has gone from teaching due to the pressure from ofsted. Data is 'massaged' to look good all over the place.

Why ofsted can't just accept that not all kids are perfect and don't behave like FFT shaped robots.