Ofsted result: inadequate (secondary) - any experiences?

[FourEyesGood]

We had Ofsted in earlier this week, and have just heard today that the result is a 4: inadequate. Most of us expected it, as the leadership is atrocious and there were some serious concerns over safeguarding, but it still feels like a blow.

Do any of you have experience of this? What can we expect at work over the coming months?

Many of us are hoping desperately for a change of leadership, but will the academy trust have to give the head the opportunity to prove he’s capable of changing the school and making improvements before they boot him out on his incompetent arse?

‘Serious weaknesses’ or special measures?

We don’t know yet - we had a (very brief) briefing today just to hear the headline judgement and haven’t had the chance to ask any questions yet.

It's difficult to say what will happen next without any further info.

If the HT was brought in recently to deal with failings already identified by the MAT, and the report is simply confirming what they already knew and are working on, then they will usually stay in role. When this is the case Ofsted will usually return a judgement of 'serious weaknesses' rather than special measures. If it is measures then it is common for the HT to be removed but it depends how ruthless your MAT are.

He wasn’t brought in to deal with failings, but he is a fairly recent appointment (2020). Thanks for the info.

I’ve never known a head survive in post and, I’m afraid, it’s going to be brutal. Expect to be forced into a successful MAT, (if you are not already.) There will be a regime of frequent observations, a drive to get rid of anyone old/expensive/perceived to be part of the problem.

Start job hunting.

Can they be moved to a different MAT?