Agenda item

The board heard a presentation from Mr Graham Sherfield an Ofsted inspector. Mr Sherfield informed the board of Ofsted’s new regional structure and advised that there will be eight regional directors to cover each area. Mr Sherfield went on to explain that going forward Ofsted will operate across four Services, namely:

• Early years and childcare
• Children and families Services
• Schools
• Adult learning and skills

Early years and childcare

Mr Sherfield then explained that one report would cover a range of children’s centres and this started in April 2012 and inspectors would work with providers to improve performance.

Children and families Services

Mr Sherfield explained the new arrangements from CAFCA in September 2013. There will be a single inspection of Services and that is being currently piloted in June/July.

Schools

Mr Sherfield highlighted that if a school received a ‘satisfactory’ rating following an inspection from now on this meant that the school required ‘improvement to be good’. He also advised that nationally, the time allowed for inspections is up to three visits; the first visit would be about four to six weeks after the report and advised that inspectors would work with and support schools to improve.

Mr Sherfield advised that some schools may require improvement from this year and that HMIs may start working with schools to help them progress to good or outstanding.

Mr Sherfield explained that the school data dashboard launched in Feb 2013 is helping governors to see at a glance how schools are improving compared to other schools.

In response to a question from Mr Chris Kiernan, Director for Education & Skills, Mr Sherfield explained that there will be no HMI support assigned to schools when a satisfactory effort is being made by the school to improve to good or outstanding. Mr Sherfield also highlighted that Ofsted would require improvement from this year and noted that HMI’s may begin to work with schools prior to September 2013 when the new arrangements for inspections comes into effect. 

Mr Tim Beach questioned how helpful will the findings, following the inspection be, if written in a letter format instead of a report. Mr Sherfield explained that a team would visit a school for about three to four days and that the expectation would be that any findings, judgements or recommendations would be presented in a letter format and not a report and that this letter would only be about two or three pages in length.

Adult learning and skills

Mr Sherfield highlighted that for Adult learning and skills services, Ofsted will be helping providers to improve by focusing on teaching, learning and assessments and advised that the focus will be on teacher education. Mr Sherfield highlighted that there will be a much shorter notice of two working days for inspections of adult learning centres.

Cllr Thompstone highlighted concerns that there will be a greater expectation on Governance; particularly around standards, including what is quality, type of report and teaching subjects different part of the school, issues performance management of staff and suggested that the minutes from governors meetings be presented in a question and answer format.

The Director for Place, Miss Kate Kennally informed the board that she was interested in the change to the services Ofsted will inspect and regulate but questioned if the eight new regional directors can work with the Director for Children’s Services. The Board agreed that that the regional directors work together with the Director for Children Service to support the new arrangements.

Mr Sherfield explained that the new arrangements from Ofsted will be a shared responsibility but some of the issues are still being worked through. He also advised that the process of dialog has started and that the format will vary between regions.