Very interesting questions asked by the lead inspector! A few notes from me in purple
Section 5 inspection, as a new school.
An hour call now and half hour later this afternoon – time to find things for later
Part 1. Questions about your school and especially about curriculum.
Questions
- What changes are in place since last inspection?
- What other changes have there been to SLT recently and what are their roles?
- Pupil data – SEN, PP, LAC, total on roll?
- Please prepare class lists with SEN/ pp on them listed already.
Education focus
- School context – tell me about mobility/ deprived limited life experiences, engaging parental support/ visits/ visitors, vocabulary project to develop their vocabulary, high number of SEN, Attendance.
- Tell me about the progress since the last inspection.
- How are you currently evaluating the school?
- Strengths and weaknesses in terms of the curriculum?
Foundation subjects – how do you design the curriculum? How do you ensure it covers the programmes of the study.
- Tell me the way teaching supports pupils to learn the curriculum. How do they use assessment and how do they remember what they are learning?
- How do the teachers use assessment to inform planning?
- How do you make sure the curriculum meets the needs of all children – SEND, PP, behavioural needs?
Reading
- Look at the information on what Ofsted will look for in reading (P87, S5 Handbook) – focus on reading deep dive.
- How do you make sure reading is a priority?
- We have your Phonics outcomes from the website – Do you have the ELG to hand?
- When will phonics be being taught during the visit?
- Will there be any additional intervention in Year ½ for phonics?
- We will hear some children read – lowest 20% phonics leader needs to bring lists of who didn’t meet ELG or Phonics in year 1/2 (to be left in base) If possible, could I observe them reading with a familiar adult – chat with the member of staff – the adult will use the right terminology. 2 year 1, 2 year 2, 2 year 3 Will listen to reception in their provision. There was a big focus on reading in the inspection and there will be in yours – primary, or secondary.
Could that staff person from year 3 show them provision for phonics – need to evaluate the effectiveness of support for those children.
- Please could you tell me your KS2 data for last year. An odd question, in some ways, as the inspector would already have this. The question points to the continued, behind the scenes, focus on data. Address this in your SEF and refer to it.
- Ensure quality of the curriculum – you have already told me about scrutiny and how you monitor it so I don’t need to ask.
- Tell me about personal development for pupils – what is the offer like?
Decide on the subjects in terms of deep dive
(1 hour call at this point)
5 subjects – Reading, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Art
Are you aware of the deep dive methodology?
First part is talking to you for the overview
Subject leaders (talk to them first) – where possible before the start of school or in the afternoon before the subject is being taught.
All other activities are based on the subject leaders feedback.
What is your intent?
What will they be doing in Year 4/ 6 etc so we can check what is actually happening in reality?
Part 2. The mechanics of inspection.
Draft schedule has been made already (lead does this pre-inspection) and will be finalised when you pass on timetables.
Lesson visits, book scrutiny, talking to staff (Educational conversation Why?) Talking to pupils.
Time tables need uploading to portal ready.
Need to let Parents know – Parent View (as in email)
When you get timetable – curriculum/ senior leaders are welcome to take part with the inspectors in the activities/ deep dives.
Documentation for tomorrow – in the handbook.
SEF/ SDP etc no need to have them prior to inspection. Just in the room for the day. (I’d always counsel sending your SEF immediately – it’s a tool for persuasion; leave your SDP for them in the room, as asked).
Policies are on website now.
Support Plans for EHCP/ SEN on support plans.
Inspectors will be using laptops for data gathering / need power supply.
Is your school experiencing pressures in the community?
Raising concerns during inspection – Come and alert lead inspector as they don’t want any concerns, They want to work with us.
Communicate with us and show us where we will see things – make sure you feel you have a fair inspection.
Tea and coffee needed in base room. They will order lunch when they get here and will pay adult meal price.
Agreed time of 4:30pm for another 5 minute phone call after the time tables have been submitted to them.
Thank you so much to the sender of these!