190 likes | 343 Views
Preparing for Inspection in Independent schools. Update 2010. Mrs M A Buckingham 16.04.10. Purpose of session. Inspection – an up date Self evaluation - How well is my school doing ? What does a school need to do to prepare for an inspection ?.
E N D
Preparing for Inspection in Independent schools Update 2010 Mrs M A Buckingham 16.04.10
Purpose of session • Inspection – an up date • Self evaluation - How well is my school doing ? • What does a school need to do to prepare for an inspection ?
Inspection Up date • All independent schools to be inspected on a regular basis (section 162A) - THE FRAMEWORK FOR INSPECTING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS EDUCATION ACT 2002 ( as amended 2005) • New schools must meet the standards before they are allowed to open. Inspected by Ofsted • New Contractors – September 2009 - now 3 regional • CfBT-North of England; Serco – Midlands; Tribal - south monitored by Ofsted • Independent schools must meet regulations within each of the 7 Standards but …
What may be about to change ? The 7 or 8 standards: • The quality of education provided by the school (1) • The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils (2) • The welfare, health and safety of pupils (3) • The suitability of proprietors and staff (4) • The school’s premises and accommodation (5) • The provision of information (6) • The procedures for handling complaints (7) • Leadership and management (8)? (Education and Skills Act 2008)
What is part of inspection ? • Parent and pupil questionnaires • Oral feedback to teachers during inspection and senior managers/proprietor at end • Short, clear report, focusing on regulations • Report will state what the school must do to meet regulations if any are non compliant • Inspection aim to be developmental and helpful to the school; rigorous and precise about the regulations.
Not just for the inspection … • Ongoing self evaluation… • Headteachers and senior managers - monitor and review … • More than the regulations…
How can schools prepare ? Head teachers, senior management teams, governing bodies /Trustees: • Know the regulations- keep up to date • SELF AUDIT CHECK LIST – self evaluation • Have the evidence ready… documentation - see list in guidance/ file for each standard ? • Training for staff (CPD) • School improvement/action plan • SIEF – have ready (electronically)
School self evaluation SIEF ‘ …honest and robust…’ • Judgements based on evidence – quality of provision: • What are we doing ? • How well are we doing it ? • HOW DO WE KNOW ? • Link to regulations and school improvement plan • OUTCOMES for PUPILS…
SIEF (1) • Factual information (characteristics/ data) • 7 standards and regulations – yourschool’s judgment on compliance • Key strengths and priorities for development / what may hinder progress • Reflect parents’ and pupils’ views
SIEF (2) • Involve the whole school lead by the headteacher ( including GB/ Trustees) • Keep SIEF up to date • School’s Judgments – criteria
SIEF (3) • Judgements: outstanding; good; satisfactory; inadequate • Criteria for each standard (used by inspectors too e.g. teaching and learning) • Q. What best fits our school provision ? • …for all pupils… • Report judgments … will reflect school’s self evaluation
SIEF (4) • Every Child Matters (ECM)- references throughout the SIEF • How well are your pupils achieving against the 5 ECM outcomes ? Enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; skills for future economic well-being; healthy life styles and staying safe • Will refer to ECM in the written report and your SIEF judgements
Other new matters… • LEA views on placements they fund (e.g. SEN) • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) regulations • ‘Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education’ in force January 2007 • New Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) • (Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006…
Safeguarding children… • ‘Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education’ in force January 2007 (DCSF) • Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) • Proprietors of independent schools: similar responsibilities to GB in maintained schools • Child Protection policy (Regulation 3(2)(b)) – Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) – checks; procedures; Annual review • Designated person(s) and all staff – training • Records – ALL staff - Single central record of recruitment and vetting checks… in addition to …staff records…
Safeguarding children… • Central record must indicate that all the necessary checks and procedures have been followed… • E.g. check identity; qualifications check; right to work in UK; CRB… medical fitness; character references; employment history… • Standard 4 - suitability of proprietor and staff…role of proprietor • Make a ‘table’ for central record and check list for each staff file…
Next steps… • ‘My personal action plan’ • Keep up to date… • Ongoing development planning…part of the process…for whole school ( including CPD) • Be clear and sure of your (the school’s) purpose for pupils…