During the early period of January, Ofsted, the independent inspectorate, announced it will be conducting a no notice period for all regular school inspections from September 2012.
Previously, inspections were performed on a six-year cycle. However, this changed in September 2005. Many, including teachers criticised the six-year cycle which involved a week-long inspection after a two-month notice period. Critics argued the system allowed schools to portray a different face to their normal day-to-day appearance and disrupted the normal operations of schools. From September 2005 the inspection cycle decreased to every three years with a two-day notice period, the inspection usually lasting two to three days.
However, the present system has obtained similar criticism. Aminur Alkas a secondary school teacher in South London believes that inspections without prior notice is the only way to really gauge the delivery of education in a school setting, "schools can roughly judge the cycle, a bow tie comes out when the letter arrives and inspections hinge heavily on the leniency of the head inspector."
His views are obviously shared by Ofsted, who in September 2012 will be adopting inspections to be conducted without notice. Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted's chief inspector explaining the plans said: 'Ofsted has been moving towards a position of unannounced school inspection over a period of years. I believe the time is now right for us to take that final step and make sure that for every school we visit inspectors are seeing schools as they really are in the corridors, classrooms and staff room.' An obstacle that was preventing unannounced inspections in the past were parent questionnaires, this has now been overcome with the introduction of online questionnaires.
But is this system really good? Teachers often complain of overload, not enough support and too much red tape. Nearly half of all newly qualified teachers leave the profession within five years, will the added pressure increase this statistic?
The National Association of Head Teachers said the move to no-notice school inspections was an empty gesture which would "alienate schools while doing nothing to support rising standards."
General secretary Russell Hobby said: "If a school could conceal evidence of widespread failure in just two days then the whole concept of inspection is flawed and Ofsted's protestations that it examines progress and behaviour over the long-term ring hollow."
The pressure of delivering everyday is extremely difficult in any profession. Teaching is a profession that requires professional measure with a personal pinch to captivate students. The pressure will also be on pupils with the threat of unwanted guests in the classroom or the 'white elephant' at any given time.
It also gives an impression that lower achieving schools are 'taking it lightly' and need an eye over the shoulder.
The system has its support and critics but Ofsted's experience in dealing with failing school by exerting regular visits will give it confidence. We must wait and see if the new introduction raises the standards of education to a required level in the country.
Amin Rashid, topical commenter with School Management Software
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