Head slams ‘snapshot’ Ofsted reports
A RUNCORN headteacher has slated Ofsted inspections after the watchdog graded his school as ‘requires improvement’, despite its test results improving over the last year.
Richard Collings, of Woodside Primary School in Halton Lodge, said the assessments are ‘snapshots’ based on visits lasting ‘one or two days’.
He also accused inspections of being ‘stacked against schools in challenging circumstances’.
Ofsted published its findings on Monday, September 17, after two inspectors had visited the school over July 17-18.
They graded Woodside Primary as ‘requires improvement’ in all categories assessed except for personal development, behaviour and welfare, which was graded ‘good’. ●
Inspectors reported weaknesses such as pupils not making enough progress in reading, writing and maths; governors not challenging school leaders enough; and teachers not challenging the more able pupils enough.
They also said early years activity planning did not enable children to apply their learning.
The report highlighted areas of strength at Woodside including its ‘nurturing school environment’, improving Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 test results, improved phonics, increasing attendance, good behaviour and pupils’ enjoyment of the curriculum.
Mr Collings said: “Overall the report is very positive but it is important that the whole thing is read rather than focusing on the ‘requires improvement’ headline.
“Our test data is improving and we are above the Halton average for progress in Year 6 this year.
“Due to the short duration of the inspection, I don’t think they saw the full range of activities that classes offer, especially in Early Years.
“More able children are challenged in Early Years but unfortunately the inspectors were unable to stick to their timetable and see the children at their best.”
He added: “I don’t really think any Ofsted assessment is ‘fair’ in the current climate.
“Judgements are made on snapshots of schools in one or two days.
“Inspectors don’t have sufficient time to fully discuss things and a lot of the unique things that schools do can be overlooked in the scramble to look at data.
“Inspections are also stacked against schools in challenging circumstances and not enough credit is given to schools working with hungry, sleep-deprived children who have been exposed to far more than they should have.”