Inspection

Christine Gilbert CBE talks frankly about her career in education

Christine Gilbert CBE speaks frankly about her career from being a headteacher turning around a school to directing school improvements across local authorities. Estelle Morris and Christine also talk about the recent issues faced in her current position as chief inspector at Ofsted. Christine spent 18 years in teaching, eight of those as a headteacher, before taking up the post of director of education in Harrow. She joined the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in 1997 as corporate director of education, then held the post of chief executive for six years before joining Ofsted.

Christine Gilbert

Ted Wragg discusses inspection with the man in charge of it

The late Ted Wragg, Professor of Education at Exeter University, challenges Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools over the efficacy of school inspections. In this fascinating discussion, David Bell robustly defends the inspection system while admitting that changes are required. "I'm not complacent," he says. "I wouldn't have brought forward the changes that are now in front of parliament if I didn't believe it could be improved." He denies that Ofsted is merely about imposing compliance on schools: "Inspection should judge the outcomes achieved. It's not a case of saying let's go into a lesson let's see if they comply."

David Bell

The 2010 education white paper on Ofsted and accountability

Looking at Ofsted and accountability, education journalist Mike Baker finds out what the November 2010 education white paper, The Importance of Teaching, will mean for schools. The white paper puts an emphasis on direct accountability for schools , meaning heads will need to offer more information to parents to allow them to assess and compare schools' performance. The role of Ofsted will become narrower and although outstanding schools can expect to see far less of the inspectors, the balance of pupils' attainment and progress will be carefully calibrated to judge schools' success. There will be reform of the performance tables, getting rid of the CVA (Contextually Value Added) measure, and a much more rigorous interpretation of the GCSE benchmark of five A* - C grades, will be introduced. Mike talks to schools and education leaders on what the proposals will mean for them.

Education White Paper - Ofsted and Accountability

Tackling the challenges presented by an OFSTED inspection

Teachers TV has enabled one school to successfully tackle the challenges presented by an OFSTED inspection. Nelson Junior and Infant School, has been given twelve month's notice to improve following a recent OFSTED inspection. By watching programmes about schools in similar circumstances, the school is able to see how it can successfully implement the necessary changes in a calm, managed fashion.

How I Use Teachers TV - Staff Training after OFSTED Inspection

Top tips on getting through inspections

In this programme, Miranda Krestovnikoff heads to the rescue of trainee teacher Michaelina, who wants some advice on classroom observations. Michaelina is in her second placement school and is worried about Ofsted, passing her NQT year observations and getting the most from observing other teachers. To try to answer her questions Miranda meets up with Australian body language guru Allan Pease to find out how to avoid looking nervous. She then asks former school inspector turned bestselling author Gervase Phinn if it's possible to pull the wool over the inspector's eyes. Finally Miranda has a chat with Rona Tutt, one-time president of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), for advice on how to do your best in inspections and what sort of feedback to expect from observations. Will all this advice help boost Michaelina's confidence?

Observation

Extracts from the hit Edinburgh Festival show

Summary "I have been through two Ofsteds and this one I am ready to laugh at," says the headteacher arriving for a special performance of OFSTED! The Musical filmed for Teachers' TV. OFSTED! The Musical, written and performed by drama students from Hull University, combines musical numbers, sketches and satire to depict the madder side of a school undergoing an inspection. The writer David Byrne was inspired to write the show after having experienced three inspections as a school pupil. Key points: Received rave reviews from the TES at the festival Created such interest that Chris Woodhead went to see it Comments from an invited audience of teachers, headteachers and a "mystery" inspector For related links vist our resources and support materials page. You can also read an exclusive interview with David Byrne, the creator of OFSTED! The Musical

OFSTED! The Musical

Turning the tables: four teachers give Ofsted the once-over

For more than a decade everyone in education has had to face inspection. In this programme four determined teachers with over 20 years of experience in schools decide to turn the tables on the inspectors. The teachers head to Ofsted to put its top subject inspector on the spot, with three key topics on their agenda: <ul> <li>Self-evaluation</li> <li>The impact of self-evaluation on teaching</li> <li>The future of their subject</li> </ul>

Ofsted: Citizenship

Treating Ofsted to an inspection of their own

For more than a decade, everyone in education has had to face inspection. This programme turns the tables and watches three experienced teachers give Ofsted an inspection of its own. The three maths teachers have over 20 years of teaching experience and put Ofsted's top subject inspector on the spot. The main areas they've earmarked for "inspection" are: <ul> <li>Self-evaluation</li> <li>The impact of self-evaluation on teaching and learning</li> <li>The future of maths</li> </ul>

Ofsted: Primary Maths

Roy Blatchford offers tips on Primary inspections

Former HMI Inspector Roy Blatchford offers his tips on how to prepare a primary school for an inspection, and talks to three primary head teachers about their inspection experiences. The thought of Ofsted inspections can send a chill down the collective spines of school staff. Roy Blatchford believes the most successful inspections are those where the headteacher leads the process. Talking to headteachers and other key people who have recently been through an inspection, Roy advises on how best to prepare for Ofsted. From the Self-Evaluation Form to handling the draft report, this programme covers all areas needed to put minds at rest.

Preparing for Inspections - Primary

We get some answers on primary literacy inspections

In this programme, five primary literacy co-coordinators get the chance to grill top literacy HMI Paul Wagstaff about the inspection process, and what it means for literacy teachers. Issues covered in the discussion include: <ul> <li>Preparing for inspection</li> <li>Self-evaluation</li> <li>Maximising impact</li> <li>Going "beyond the literacy hour"</li> <li>Phonics and reading</li> </ul> With literacy consistently under the spotlight, this "interrogation" is a valuable resource for all primary teachers and heads. This week's panel features literacy co-ordinators Uz Afzal (Fox Primary School, London) Rhiannon Davies (Christ Church Primary School, London) Satnam Jagpal (Wyndcliffe Primary School, Birmingham) and Year 3 teacher Nina Capek, from Firfield Primary School in Derbyshire.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Whole school

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