OFSTED's new framework - update
The NUT continues to receive many letters and emails from teachers concerned about the new Ofsted inspection framework. We have heard many shocking stories about how the framework has been applied in schools.
Thank you to everyone that emailed their MP before the General Election in May about the new Ofsted framework. This really helped raise awareness amongst politicians of some of the problems. Over 80 MPs signed the Early Day Motion (EDM) that was tabled in Parliament by Frank Dobson MP. The EDM precipitated a response from Ofsted who wrote to every MP about the new framework.
Although the EDM is no longer current in the new Parliament, you can still view here the text of the Motion and a list of those MPs that supported it.
-----------------------------------------------
Read the latest NUT News, Special Edition on Ofsted (Spring 2010)
Download a copy of the 8 page Ofsted Action Plan here.
-----------------------------------------------]
The NUT has received a number of reports that inspectors are using trivial issues to downgrade schools. NUT General Secretary Christine Blower has written to both Christine Gilbert, the Chief Inspector, and Ed Balls expressing her extreme concern about this situation. Examples the Union has received include:
- schools being marked down for failing to record centrally employed staff on the single central register;
- the Lead Inspector, on entering a school on the first day, marking down the school because the head has not immediately asked for their Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check;
- inspectors paying little attention to Contextual Value Added (CVA) data and just concentrating on raw results; and
- a first school being marked down because of the low height of its perimeter fence.
The NUT is determined that this situation should not continue. It urges all members who have experienced unfair inspections to e-mail their experiences to inspections@nut.org.uk. Alternatively send us your experiences using the online form.
All examples will be anonymised, unless you indicate otherwise. The OFSTED complaints helpline number is 08456 404040 and full information about making complaints is available at
Written complaints should be emailed to Ofsted at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
