Changes to School Inspection Procedures

Colin Nicol, Quality Improvement Officer

Maxine Cottiss, Quality Improvement Officer

Education Service

Inspection Timetable

•Primary schools and nursery class approximately every seven years

•Secondary schools approximately every six years

Education Service

Focus of School Inspections

How well do children learn and achieve?

Does the school have a clear sense of direction?

How well do staff work with others to support children’s learning?

Are staff and children actively involved in their community?

Does the school have high expectations of all children?

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Structure of School Inspections

•Before the inspection

•During the inspection

•After the inspection

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School Inspection video clips

Outline

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School Inspection video clips

Getting the Picture

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School Inspection video clips

The Report

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Inspection Reports

Activity 1:Read Section 3 – How well do children learn and achieve? – in the example of an inspection report at your table.

Activity 2:In your group discuss and note down on the response form: - what helpful information is there in this section about the children’s progress at their school? - what is off-putting or unclear? - suggestions for improvement?

Education Service

Public consultation on proposals for the HMIE school inspection framework starting in Autumn

2011

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Why are HMIE proposing changes now? (1)

• HMIE have recently completed a cycle of inspections

• They want inspections to be seen as a positive partnership exercise

• There is to be a focus on school self evaluation and school improvement

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Why are HMIE proposing changes now? (2)

• HMIE will move towards inspections that are appropriate to the needs of the school

• concentrate efforts where can make the biggest difference for learners

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Proposals for the inspection of schools

1. Better use of information on schools to make sure they inspect where it really matters

• a smaller sample (annually)

• An annual process of risk assessment – links with Local Authority

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Proposals for the inspection of schools

2. Continue to inspect what really matters

• HMIE want to support the aims of CfE• Closer look at learning and teaching and

learners experiences of a broad general education, literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing

• New focus for Secondary School Inspections

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Proposals for the inspection of schools

3. Getting Everyone Involved

Increasing staff involvement in inspection:• Senior staff and where appropriate local authority staff to join them

on class visits and take part in team meetings.

Increasing Parent Involvement:• Listen more carefully to parent views

Education Service

Period of Notice

• Currently 3 weeks

• Move to a shorter period of notice

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Reporting

Clearer more accessible reports• Shorter reports –how the school is

performing and key areas for improvement

• The reports will be published on line (hard copies available on request)

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HMIE QUESTIONNAIRE

• Q3 – Do you agree that, in general, parents should be involved in the inspection process?

• Strongly agree• Agree• Disagree• Strongly disasgree• No opinion

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• Q5 Do you agree that HMIE should move towards shorter reports which provide assurance on how the school is performing?

• Strongly agree• Agree• Disagree• Strongly disagree• No opinion

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• Q6 What is your preferred option for sharing the findings of the inspection with parents. A RIF (Record of Inspection Findings) is the record of evidence gathered by inspectors.

• A letter highlighting the main points of the inspection• A short report highlighting the main points from the

inspection• Access to the RIF via a meeting with the Parent Council• A letter and access to the RIF via the Parent Council• None of these

Education Service

How can I share my views on the proposals?

• http://www.hmie.gov.uk/generic/School+Inspection+Framework+Review

• Consultation deadline is Friday 17 December

Education Service