3 replies to this topic

[Derek Bos]

Has anyone out there been through a subject specific Ofsted?. We got the call today that there will be an Inspector in next week to look at Geography. What does this type of inspection entail? I teach two lessons of Geography during that time. However there are not two full days of Geography so what is their remit? Can they drop in on anyone? Can they make it up as they go along? Most Geography lessons on those two days are taught by non-specialists- will those people be viewed teaching their specialisms? Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[Stewart Hogg]

Has anyone out there been through a subject specific Ofsted?. We got the call today that there will be an Inspector in next week to look at Geography. What does this type of inspection entail? I teach two lessons of Geography during that time. However there are not two full days of Geography so what is their remit? Can they drop in on anyone? Can they make it up as they go along? Most Geography lessons on those two days are taught by non-specialists- will those people be viewed teaching their specialisms? Any help/advice would be appreciated.

We go through these in Wales every couple of years.

They can drop in on anyone but normally the slt and//or HOF will be aware of who will be seen.

Chuck in a pupil voice session, book scrutiny and a look at exam treends/end of key stage data against fft benchmarks and its done. Usually its done on a cycle of key stages but if there is anything thats of concern then that may well be looked into.

As for advice - its meant to be a way of helping you alhough that can be very much down to the context of your school/dept so try and see it as that.

Hope that helps Derek.

[Nick]

You will know in advance what is going on, hopefully.
They usually observe everyone in the department if they can but only for 1/2 hour. You don't know if it's the first half or the second half of the lesson.
A lot of it is indeed analysing the paper work, exam results, assessment procedures, pupil questionnaires, etc.
They will spend time with the Head and with the HOD.
The last couple of hours is writing the report and reporting back to the department/Head.
They tend to stress 'professional development' rather than trying to find fault, but it is thorough as it's one department under the microscope for two days.
Good luck. Don't panic!

[Derek Bos]

Thanks for all the advice and info.It was very much as suggested. The HMI did a book scrutiny, interviewded pupils, spoke to HoD and SLT, questioned all the teachers of Humanities, those who teach Y7 where it is Intergrated Humanities. Observed 11 bits of lessons, seeing 6 teachers in all. Most were observed twice.Did paired observations with one of the SLT. Did visit tutor groups and assemblies. Feedback was positive and helpful, no grades were given but we were told to read between the lines in the feedback session. Overall we came out Good in all the four categories. The one week notice gave more time for people to panic but also to get the story right. Exam trends and results need to be explained as well as what is being done in the light an analysis of the results. Progress of pupils was the focus in all lessons. Literacy was also an area that was focussed on.