Inspection

School inspections have become a crucial yet highly pressurised part of primary school life. We offer a range of guidance and case studies, including accounts of inspection visits and successful outcomes, to help you survive and thrive under school inspection.

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Ofsted and our wellbeing

Consultation over the draft Education Inspection Framework will close soon. Philippa Stobbs looks at the potential within the proposals to foster better teacher and pupil wellbeing

School accountability in England: A critique

No school accountability system is perfect, but will mooted changes to inspection in England tackle some of the unintended consequences that school leaders face? Hilary Grayson draws some lessons from international practice

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Will Ofsted’s inspection framework changes make a difference?

After years of prioritising outcomes and data, Ofsted has signalled a change in focus. It comes after the NAHT’s landmark report into accountability. So what can we expect come September 2019 and will it really be an improvement?

School Profile: Opportunities for all…

Last November, Christ Church CE School was judged outstanding across all areas. Emma Lee-Potter looks at the school’s vision and values, the key aspects of their practice and their advice regarding Ofsted inspection

Case study: From good to outstanding

After a recent inspection, Sugar Hill Primary converted from a good school to outstanding across all categories. Emma Lee-Potter finds out what secrets lie behind the school’s success

The battle to take back control of the curriculum

With the momentum growing behind evidence and research-based teaching practice, arguments to give back control of the curriculum to the profession are becoming louder – led, perhaps surprisingly, by Ofsted’s chief inspector...

Can we expect a more meaningful Ofsted?

In 2019, the Ofsted inspection framework will change. As speculation grows, we look for clues, including from the new IDSR, Amanda Spielman’s testimony to the Education Select Committee, and Ofsted’s annual report...

Alarm at Ofsted’s Reception conclusions

Bold or premature? Ofsted’s small-scale report into the Reception curriculum has alarmed many with its dismissal of softer skills and focus on quick starts and rapid progress. Suzanne O’Connell reports

Three major challenges for 2018

As the new year begins, what changes do you need to prepare for? Richard Skipper discusses three major challenges waiting for us in 2018

You’re far too modest: The merits of Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry is a model that might help schools to know and better understand their strengths, thus supporting your school improvement processes. Fiona Aubrey-Smith explains more

After the inspection...

In the final part of his before, during and after series on school inspection, Anthony David reflects on how school leaders can often find themselves facing a low or feeling depressed after the inspectors have left...

Inspection: After the call has come...

With both of his schools having faced inspection recently, headteacher Anthony David offers his advice on preparing for inspection, handling the inspection itself, and the aftermath. In the second article in this series, he focuses on the inspection itself and what to expect after receiving the ...

Ofsted wants to see your broad and rich curriculum

The Ofsted framework looks set to remain the same over the next two years, but inspection reports are already showing a change in focus by inspectors. As the new school year begins, we summarise some of the key concerns and lessons to be learnt from schools’ most recent reports

Inspection: Preparing for Ofsted

With both of his schools having faced inspection last year, headteacher Anthony David will, in this three part series, offer his advice on effectively handling the preparations, the inspection itself, and the aftermath. He begins with how to prepare for Ofsted...

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