Archdiocese of Westminster Headteachers' Conference Christine Gilbert, HMCI

1. Archdiocese of Westminster Headteachers' Conference Christine Gilbert, HMCI 15 July 2008

2. Inspecting community cohesion Raising standards, improving lives ‘When you understand someone else’s culture, you’re more likely to respect them.’ - Lower 6th form pupil quoted in ‘Diversity & Citizenship Curriculum Review’ (Ajegbo, Kiwan & Sharma 2007)

3. Inspecting community cohesion Raising standards, improving lives • The duty on schools is to promote community cohesion (from September 2007) • The duty must be linked to the leadership of the school, as it is on the governing body • This duty is linked to the effectiveness of the school’s provision – what it is doing about it • The duty to inspect schools’ contribution to community cohesion starts from September 2008 • The school should not be judged according to the local community, but according to what it is contributing

4. What is community cohesion? Raising standards, improving lives Diversity appreciated and valued Common values Sense of belonging Strong and positive relationships Equal life opportunities Knowing rights and responsibilities Trusting each other and local institutions Shared vision for community Shared access to English Many definitions are being produced……

5. Inspecting Community Cohesion – all dimensions The different social dimensions of community Ethnicity and culture Religious and non-religious Socio-economic Engagement & Ethos Equality & Excellence The Global Community Teaching, Learning & Curriculum UK Community Community in which school is located The school’s contribution can be grouped under these headings. School Community The different scales or geographical dimensions of “community”

6. Inspecting community cohesion Raising standards, improving lives • Inspection can be built around three key questions: • What does the school know about the communities it serves? • How has it used that knowledge to promote community cohesion and serve the needs of its users? • How does it know whether its strategy is successful?

7. Inspecting community cohesion Raising standards, improving lives Typically, inspectors may • look at data from the SEF, RAISEonline (+ other) to identify issues about e.g. ethnicity, deprivation, attendance of groups, other indicators • Engage with school leaders about their understanding, strategies and evaluation of impact

8. Inspecting community cohesion Raising standards, improving lives Typically, inspectors may: • examine evidence on curriculum -e.g. work on ‘citizenship strand 4’ – teaching and learning -e.g. strengths/weaknesses – skills/confidence in teaching ‘difficult/uncomfortable topics’ – ideally by observation. • examine evidence on equity and excellence – e.g. initiatives to promote achievement of groups and supporting data; participation rates; attendance at parents meetings (& who is/is not represented); governing body (likewise) • observe learners/staff working, playing, socialising – ethos and engagement – analysis of racist incidents; makeup of exclusions. Does reality match with school’s perception? • critical: talk with learners – attitudes, behaviour, meaningful interaction

9. Inspecting community cohesion: in summary Raising standards, improving lives • Leaders understand the duty • Sound knowledge of school and local community needs • Relevant strategy to meet needs • School promotes understanding and meaningful interaction • Accurate understanding of impact of its work and how it might improve • All groups are integrated into life of school/community • Learners demonstrate understanding, appreciation and trust

10. Inspecting community cohesion – preparation Raising standards, improving lives • draft guidance developed and tested over last 3 terms • trials last summer – inconclusive • wide consultation and engagement • further trials this spring – range of schools – 64 schools –more conclusive and very useful • training this term for HMI and AIs • monitoring schedule for autumn 2008 / spring 2009

11. Inspecting community cohesion: spring term 2008 trials Raising standards, improving lives • tested further the draft guidance, inc. grade criteria • involved HMI/AI • gained feedback from inspectors on grades, use of guidance and manageability • gained feedback from headteachers on schools’ understanding, the process and its manageability • identified clear areas of strength • and where improvements in process and practice are needed, inc. manageability

12. Spring trials: evaluation carried out through 5 key questions Raising standards, improving lives • Were the trial community cohesion judgements secure and well-substantiated by sufficient, robust evidence capable of withstanding challenge? • Was the draft inspection guidance material helpful in coming to a sound judgement? • Was it possible to make the judgement alongside all other inspection judgements? • Was it possible to draw appropriately on the views of pupils in making the judgement? • Do our planned arrangements enable inspectors to accurately and fairly judge how well schools contribute to community cohesion?

13. Inspecting community cohesion: the trials Raising standards, improving lives • Trials were successful • Judgements “made sense” • Most CC judgements robust and well founded • The issues raised by some inspectors and schools warrant action…

14. Inspecting community cohesion: follow-up to the trials Raising standards, improving lives • Amend SEF to have a discrete section on community cohesion (questions matching the inspection guidance) • Extra planning time for RTI • Inspection guidance amended to: • emphasise need for canvassing learners’ views • highlight importance of schools’ identification of needs • Keep under review – monitor next year

15. Changes to school inspection Raising standards, improving lives • All schools will have been inspected under section 5 by August 2009 and we are developing new arrangements • A formal three month consultation period on the proposals for new arrangements ends on 11 August

16. Changes to school inspectionRaising standards, improving lives • Inspections will be proportionate to risk and focused on improvement • The health check

17. Changes to school inspectionRaising standards, improving lives An increased focus on the achievement of different groups of children and young people, teaching and learning and the capacity to improve

18. Changes to school inspection Raising standards, improving lives Clarity about grade criteria and the introduction of grade thresholds

19. Changes to school inspectionRaising standards, improving lives The involvement of the senior management team in the process

20. Changes to school inspectionRaising standards, improving lives • Testing the views of parents annually • Capturing the views of children and young people • Capturing the views of school staff

21. Changes to school inspectionRaising standards, improving lives Defining accountability through inspection - co-ordinated inspections of federations and partnerships

22. Changes to school inspectionRaising standards, improving lives No notice inspection