Inspection

Quality of teaching is at the core of school improvement. Dave Weston discusses how schools can get it right and what Ofsted are looking for

The work of Ofsted comes under scrutiny from the Commons Education Select Committee

What makes an outstanding lesson for G&T pupils and how can teachers ‘make the grade? Bob Cox provides some useful pointers

Ofsted has to give just two days’ notice before inspection, so it’s a good idea to have a training session in reserve for when your school gets the call. Paul Ainsworth outlines just such a session

Perhaps more than any other inspection judgement, ‘The effectiveness of safeguarding procedures’ has caused anxiety amongst schools. Here are some suggestions for how you might prepare.

How do you cope when your secondary school is placed in special measures by Ofsted?

A new report from Ofsted appears to confirm what many teachers will already be well aware of: professional development which is owned by teachers is important for performance at work. But what else do we need to be aware of?

Ofsted inspection has a brave new look for this season: quietly understated, with subtleties in shade and tone which are well worth examining closer

It is important for headteachers to challenge what they feel is an unfair representation of their school, says Anne Clarke

What are the implications of recent changes to Ofsted inspections of early years education? Early Years Update explains

Early Years Update looks at the proposed new Ofsted inspection framework

What is your next step if you’re given a poor Ofsted report? Angela Youngman discusses this, and talks to one headteacher who took over a school in the ‘notice to improve’ category

Would you like to be a fly-on-the-wall at your own Ofsted inspection? Paul Williamson, assistant head of Greenbank High School, shares the insights he gained from doing just that

Headteacher Kim Sparling shares her school’s experience of the revised reduced tariff inspection, and explains why she found it less stressful than the previous framework read more

The support of a school business manager can make all the difference to your next Ofsted inspection, explains Nina Siddle read more

The intention of raising standards is one that seems to run through all sorts of current ideas about education. But which ‘standards’ are being referred to and in what sense (if any) are they being raised? Pam Woolner examines the issues read more

While measuring school performance is important, it is vital that the data used is properly understood and that the broader picture is not lost, says headteacher Peter Kent

Ofsted is using the five ECM outcomes as key points in primary school inspections. Dave Weston looks at how schools are supporting the outcomes and gives advice on preparing for inspection read more

Headteacher Brian Rossiter outlines his experience of seeking to take advantage of the variety of alternative qualifications available to boost his school’s headline statistics, while at the same time preparing individual pathways into the world of work for his students read more

What affect did the New Relationship with Schools (NRwS) have on schools and school improvement? Headteacher Trevor Bailey takes a critical look at its impact

Nina Siddle explains how one school in East Yorkshire found widespread benefits from engaging with the Investors in People programme read more

What does ‘extended school’ mean to politicians, teachers and parents and what will it mean for more able pupils? Deputy head Paul Ainsworth explains

Geography is the poor Cinderella of the primary curriculum. Where did it all go wrong and what can be done about making primary geography teaching higher on the agenda? Paula Richardson makes some suggestions read more

In July 2005, there were 1,557 poorly performing schools in England, according to the National Audit Office’s recent report, Improving Poorly Performing Schools in England. Around 23% of secondary schools were in the ‘poorly performing’ category. read more

The Education Act 2005: an overview for school staff. read more

The new framework comes into effect this September. It will give schools more freedom — but this comes with tough new duties, says Mark Blois

Since September 2005, as part of the new framework for inspection for children’s services, schools are expected to demonstrate how they are contributing to the five national outcomes for children stipulated by Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004

Students enjoy school and are pleased with the education they receive — a welcome message for curriculum managers, and one that flies in the face of common opinion. read more

Single inspectorate for children and learners. read more

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