It was ironic that Ofsted’s much-lauded consultation with the education sector last year, promising real change for the inspectorate following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, was called the Big Listen.
Because from the moment the Big Listen questionnaire was launched, it was clear Ofsted was not serious about achieving real change or indeed listening.
The survey failed to ask the telling questions, including completely ignoring the issues of single-word judgements and whether Ofsted was fit for purpose. The questions were phrased in such a way they appeared to lead the respondent to a preferred answer.
Insights from the Alternative Big Listen
That is why we joined together in creating the Alternative Big Listen (ABL) as a means of gathering responses to the questions Ofsted had not asked. We were delighted with the response of nearly 1,500 from across the education sector.
The results were stark, with nine out of 10 respondents stating they thought Ofsted was no longer fit for purpose.
In early February, Ofsted published its proposals for the future of inspection, including the much-heralded report card, to considerable dismay.
It felt as if the messages in the Big Listen, the highly critical Gilbert Learning Review and the Coroner’s damning report on the part Ofsted’s inspection had played in Ruth Perry’s death had been pushed to one side.
It appeared to us to offer little change other than increasing the number of areas to be graded as well as the number of grades that could be awarded. Alongside this were “toolkits” that created less certainty and more confusion.
Furthermore, Ofsted’s response to the significant criticism and disappointment felt by many since the launch has become increasingly defensive and closed off to ideas that are not of their own making.
We have also witnessed tetchy responses from some senior Ofsted officials as they react on social media to criticism levelled at the proposals. There is emerging a closed mentality to change, which is not a good look while Ofsted’s consultation is underway.
This closed mentality was on display when chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver appeared before a meeting of the Commons Education Select Committee in January.
Despite a number of MPs clearly being aware of the ABL, Sir Martyn claimed that, despite extensive media coverage of the report, he had no idea about the details of its findings.
Our polite request for clarification on whether he had been briefed by senior managers was met with a bland reply that completely ignored our questions.
We decided to submit two Freedom of Information requests that showed the Ofsted media team had included two clear references to the ABL in their daily round-up circulated to senior staff.
Furthermore, we know at least two of Sir Martyn’s senior team had engaged with us about the ABL on social media.
All told, at a time when Ofsted was doing its utmost to give a sense that they were in listening mode, these reactions were disappointing to say the least.
New insights and ideas
Hence our decision to launch a second survey, which is currently running alongside the Ofsted one. The Alternative Big Consultation (ABC) asks the same questions but also asks whether the new proposals are genuinely fit for purpose.
We are also giving respondents the chance to signal where they would like to see changes in the way Ofsted inspects. We have been pleased with the level of response already but obviously, the more responses we receive, the stronger our analysis will be.
As enthusiastic advocates for inspection and former senior inspectors, within Ofsted, we want to be constructive and believe it is possible to have rigour and robust evaluation of public services while maintaining high levels of respect, appreciation and understanding of those being inspected.
We want to see a more collaborative and less confrontational approach being proposed to redress the balance of power, which currently rests far too heavily with Ofsted.
Our thoughts remain with Ruth Perry’s family and friends, and we believe Ofsted has not gone far enough in creating an inspection system that creates a safe environment for those being inspected as well as those undertaking inspections.
We are not convinced it will lead to better inspections moving forward.
The ABC online survey and will close on Friday 4 April. The results will be published shortly afterwards. Please make your views known.
Professor Colin Richards and Frank Norris MBE are both former senior inspectors
For the latest education news and analysis delivered every weekday morning, sign up for the Tes Daily newsletter
