An alternative consultation on the future of Ofsted inspections has been launched to ask if the watchdog’s plans for school report cards are fit for purpose.
The survey, launched by two former senior Ofsted His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI), asks respondents to rate some of the major changes the inspectorate is proposing, including a five-point grading scale for schools, new evaluation areas andinspection toolkits.
Each question in the Alternative Big Consultation asks whether people think Ofsted’s plans are: fit for purpose, largely fit for purpose, largely unfit for purpose or unfit for purpose.
It also asks if respondents believe that, overall, Ofsted’s plans are an improvement or worse than current inspection practice.
The ‘Alternative Big Consultation’
The survey has been launched by Frank Norris and Colin Richards, who carried out their own Alternative Big Listen last year amid concerns that Ofsted’s Big Listen had not asked important questions about the future of school inspection.
The Alternative Big Listen findings showed that nine in 10 respondents did not think the inspectorate was fit for purpose.
Professor Richards said: “When we established the Alternative Big Listen we did so because we were not confident Ofsted would report without fear or favour and would most likely try to obfuscate and show themselves off in the best possible light.
“The differences between the reports of the two Big Listens show clearly that our suspicion was justified.”
The Alternative Big Consultation will ask the same questions but will also ask whether the new proposals are fit for purpose, he added.
Respondents to be asked if Ofsted’s plans are ‘fit for purpose’
Ofsted is currently consulting on the introduction of report cards and a proposed new framework, bothset to be introduced from November this year.
Under the report card plan, schools would be given one of five grades across at least eight areas with a binary judgement of “met” and “not met” for 51.
The new “alternative” survey asks respondents if the following areas in Ofsted’s planned new framework are fit for purpose:
- Ofsted’s report cards.
- The proposed evaluation areas, which include attendance, inclusion and developing teaching.
- The proposed five-point scale, ranging from “causing concern” to “exemplary”.
- Ofsted’s approach to “exemplary” practice.
- Ofsted’s inspection toolkits.
- How the inspectorate plans to identify schools rated as “causing concern”.
It also asks for views about alternative reforms or approaches to inspection.
Control ‘currently rests too heavily with Ofsted’
In a second section of the survey, respondents are asked whether they think a number of suggestions are: essential, worth considering, not worth considering - or if they have no particular view.
This includes inspectors being able to use their own evaluative terms (such as “very good”, “sound”, “exceptional”, etc) to fit what they see, so that they can more accurately describe the quality and type of provision they inspect.
The survey also gauges views on an annual 51 review being carried out by someone other than Ofsted, schools having access to an independent complaints process, and schools publishing yearly self-evaluations based on “peer-group quality assurance”.
Mr Norris said: “Asadvocates for inspection,we want to be constructiveandbelieve 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 hope to see a more collaborative and less confrontational approach being proposedto redress the balance of power/control which currently rests far too heavily with Ofsted.”
ճruns until Friday 4 April. The runs until Monday 28 April.
Ofsted declined to comment.
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