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Original poster

How much notice does a school get that OFSTED are going in?

17 replies

fleshmarketclose · 23/08/2019 07:59

If the inspection is triggered by a parent complaining to OFSTED. I received word yesterday that OFSTED will be inspecting following my complaint. The complaint was about failing to register my daughter and record her absences. OFSTED deems that it is an issue with the quality of leadership and management at the school although that might be because HT refused to answer my stage one complaint, chair of governors stage two response failed to mention the reason for my complaint but instead reassured me that the school were doing a brilliant job and I should be honoured to have a place in an OFSTED outstanding school and stage three response was simply that the complaint was handled properly and that was the end of the matter.
I don't suppose I will be sent a parent view form so will need to keep an eye on the website I imagine.

OP posts:
JanetandJohn500 · 23/08/2019 13:17

Are you in Scotland? I didn't know they have OFSTED.
If there is a safeguarding concern, the school can get a 'no notice' inspection. This would usually be a full 2 day inspection.
If the school was previously good or outstanding, they can get a 1 day inspection but this can be converted to a 2-day at any point.
They usually get notice the day before and the new OFSTED framework has the lead inspector in the school the afternoon before the inspection for 'preparation before the inspection'.
The new framework is hot on registration and attendance records because of off-rolling and exclusions.

Aragog · 23/08/2019 13:46

In England for a normal inspection we get notified at lunch time the day before they arrive. We get told if it will be a two day inspection after lunch on the first day.

roughtyping · 23/08/2019 13:48

@JanetandJohn500 we don't have OFSTED in Scotland, we have HMIE

ChloeDecker · 23/08/2019 13:51

Our last one was 2pm the day before. This was 2018.

Original poster
fleshmarketclose · 23/08/2019 14:27

They had a short inspection in February that stated they would need a full inspection next time. Bearing in mind that in February they were already hiding dd's absence. I became aware in May when I asked for dd's attendance records. Really hope they get the book thrown at them because they are in no way an outstanding school they are peddling a myth.

OP posts:
Original poster
fleshmarketclose · 23/08/2019 14:29

Sorry not in Scotland I'm an Ian Rankin fan [blush} username is one of my favourite books.

OP posts:
Original poster
fleshmarketclose · 23/08/2019 14:37

Dd was off rolled in effect, only they didn't tell me they just didn't enter her on the register. The indignation when I asked for her attendance records was incredible.They stated it was unreasonable of me to ask and I had no business in seeing them. I only asked because I couldn't work out why nobody was interested that dd wasn't going to school as there had been no referral to educational welfare or social care and I wasn't calling her in sick (to provoke a referral)

OP posts:
JanetandJohn500 · 23/08/2019 15:10

OFSTED wouldn't tell you that the school WILL be inspected. Yours may be a 'qualifying complaint' which means that it will be taken into account the next time the school is inspected. It also means that the school may be 'table-topped'- meaning that OFSTED will look at a range of factors that they take into account when considering inspection and consider whether your complaint in addition to other information (such as attainment, progress, attendance, exclusions etc) merit an inspection.
It may be that given the new OFSTED focus, they choose to make an 'example' of this school and go in to text your/their theories but I can't believe they would tell you they would definitely go in- there is no way of maintaining confidentiality with information like that.

Kuponut · 23/08/2019 16:54

We got done (I'm a school governor) last academic year and I think we got the call around noon for them to arrive the following day (full two-day inspection). Wasn't as the result of a complaint though - was just a routine one.

cauliflowersqueeze · 23/08/2019 16:58

I agree. Ofsted would not tell you they were inspecting.

Why didn’t you send her to school?

LeithWalk · 23/08/2019 17:11

You may not know that anything has been looked at in school as this will be confidential.
As another PP said
Yours may be a 'qualifying complaint' which means that it will be taken into account the next time the school is inspected - or talked through with the school by the LA or trust (academy).
I have just been involved in a 'qualifying complaint, the complainant won't even know it has been followed up.

SabineSchmetterling · 26/08/2019 06:50

Schools are now meant to be notified the afternoon before an inspection. If anyone from the school sees this post you will have given them a big tip-off if they definitely are being reinspected. Your situation sounds fairly unusual and would probably be fairly identifiable to any senior teachers or office staff from the school.

fedup21 · 26/08/2019 12:33

I received word yesterday that OFSTED will be inspecting following my complaint.

I’m v surprised- what was the exact wording?

fedup21 · 26/08/2019 12:34

Your situation sounds fairly unusual and would probably be fairly identifiable to any senior teachers or office staff from the school.

Probably any member of staff, to be honest!

pinksquash13 · 26/08/2019 12:50

Why isn't she going to school? How old is she? Was your complaint that she didn't turn up regularly and you weren't aware that she wasn't in school? It doesn't sound like the school have handled the complaints well. Is she now attending a different school?

scarecrowhead · 26/08/2019 12:56

Ofsted would not tell you that, what was the exact phrase ?

fedup21 · 26/08/2019 13:02

Can you screenshot the letter-obviously leaving out any identifiable parts?

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