Governors and Ofsted

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) is required by law to carry out inspections of all maintained schools. The inspectors judge the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the school, but also look at individual aspects of the school. One of these aspects is the quality of leadership and management at all levels in the school and, in particular, the effectiveness with which governors discharge their responsibilities.

From 1 September 2005 a new inspection regime was introduced which significantly changed how inspections are carried out. Inspections will be carried out at short notice (two to five days) and will usually last no more than two days.

Self evaluation

The other key change is that the inspectors will take as their starting point the school’s self-evaluation form (SEF). The SEF is a record of how the school sees itself. The form has different sections which mirror those areas on which Ofsted will make judgements. The SEF should be completed objectively and evidence should be provided to support the judgements on the performance of the school. It should detail the strengths and weaknesses and the steps needed to effect improvements. Part C of the SEF refers particularly to the statutory requirements relating to the school, whether they are being met and, if not, what action the governing body is taking to resolve the issue. The governing body is responsible for signing off the SEF and Ofsted have said that:

'A completed SEF should reflect governors’ involvement in a school’s self-evaluation and show that it has been completed with the agreement of the governing body or appropriate authority.'

The PIB

The PIB (the pre-inspection briefing) will arrive at school the day before the inspectors. It will outline the focus of the inspection but additional areas can be added during the enquiry should the inspectors feel it necessary.

The inspection

With such short notice it is entirely possible that the chair of governors will not be available to meet or speak to the inspectors. In these circumstances any member of the governing body may be called on to represent the governing body. The governing body should also ensure that at least one of its members is available to attend the inspectors’ feedback session at the conclusion of the inspection visit.

The report of the inspection will be published on the Ofsted website within three calendar weeks of the end of the inspection.

The governing body

The governing body:

• Is responsible for the overall standards in the school
• Should ensure that an SEF has been completed, discussed by the GB and agreed
• Ensure that the SEF is regularly updated (at least once a year) and adopted
• Should notify parents when informed that an Inspection is due to happen
• Ensure that at least one governor attends the feedback session
• Must send copies of the final inspection report to all parents (within five working days of receipt)

Ofsted are inspecting the school to see if the governing body and leadership team’s assessment of the school is correct. There should be no surprises in an Ofsted report. Ofsted’s favourite questions are:

• So what? - what is the outcome of that decision on standards?
• How do you know? - what evidence can you provide to show that you are monitoring?

It is crucial that each governor is aware of the school’s strengths and weaknesses.

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