Ofsted and ESC working together on new framework for inspecting island schools

Monday 23 July 2018

Ofsted said it will work with Guernsey to develop an inspection framework that fits the island's schools after criticism over the body being appointed the local inspectorate.

Both the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture and Ofsted have told Express that a new inspection framework that is relevant to Guernsey will be created before the national body replaces Education Scotland as the inspector of island schools.

It was announced last week that Ofsted will commence inspections from September 2019.

However, that news was not welcomed by the NASUWT with the Teachers' Union describing it as an "imposition."

Commenting on the announcement, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said it was the lack of open discussion on the matter which was wrong describing it as "covert."

“Accountability and inspection are important in public services," she said.

Pictured: Chris Keates of the NASUWT

“The accountability framework has a profound effect on all those who learn and work in the education service. It is essential that such frameworks are developed  through a process of comprehensive and meaningful consultation with stakeholders.

“The Committee’s decision to appoint Ofsted as the inspectorate of schools and colleges in Guernsey and Alderney, without any discussion is therefore deeply regrettable.

“Such an approach does not bode well. Teachers and school and college leaders will view this imposition  as entirely unacceptable.

“The covert way in which the Committee’s decision was taken will undermine professional and public confidence .

“It is essential that the Committee commits to engaging with the NASUWT at the earliest opportunity to establish a genuinely fit-for-purpose accountability framework that will support the work of teachers and leaders in providing high-quality learning experiences for all children and young people.”

Deputy Matt Fallaize, the ESC President has responded to the concerns raised by the NASUWT. He said discussions were held with three different potential replacement inspectorates and the matter was discussed "at length over the course of several Committee meetings."

He said; "I personally kept head teachers up to date with our investigations and invited their views."

Deputy Fallaize said "the main purposes of school inspections are to provide stakeholders with an independent and rigorous assessment of school performance and to drive further improvement.  That is what parents and the wider community rightly expect.  The Committee was unanimous in concluding that Ofsted is best placed to achieve these things from September 2019 once a new inspection framework has been developed. "

The change of inspectorate had to be made because Education Scotland was withdrawing to focus its resources elsewhere. Deputy Fallaize said that forced ESC's hand.

"Following the withdrawal of Education Scotland the Committee was mindful of the advantages of appointing a new inspectorate as swiftly as possible. This will allow us as much time as possible to work with the new inspectorate on developing an appropriate inspection framework for the Bailiwick.  The views of head teachers and teachers will be most welcome as this new inspection framework is developed.

"I respect the NASUWT’s right to express its views and promote its members’ interests, but on this occasion many of the points they have made are misplaced.   

"It is the Committee’s responsibility to appoint inspectors; it made this appointment after considerable research and discussion and after taking advice; and head teachers were kept informed throughout the decision-making process.

"In addition, the NASUWT has referred positively to Jersey’s inspection regime, but Jersey’s inspection regime was itself developed in conjunction with Ofsted. We are not going to adopt every word of Ofsted’s national inspection framework – we are going to work with Ofsted over the next few months to develop a modified framework appropriate to the needs of the Bailiwick.

"Schools in the Bailiwick understandably place a lot of value on self-evaluation. We have discussed this with Ofsted and we are clear that the value of self-evaluation will not be diminished in the future.

"Representatives of the Committee and representatives of the teaching unions meet periodically to discuss matters of mutual interest and I am sure the future of inspections will be on the agenda at our next meeting in September.

"In addition, I have already replied to the NASUWT’s letter to me and offered to meet its representatives."

An Ofsted Spokesperson also said work is ongoing to create a replacement inspection programme which will suit Guernsey and that those changes will be made in conjunction with ESC.

“Based broadly on Ofsted’s current inspection arrangement, we are working with the States of Guernsey to develop an inspection framework that will be tailored to meet the needs of Guernsey’s schools. We will also train the inspectors and involve Guernsey education officers in that training.

“We plan to start formal inspections from September 2019.”