In a move Ofsted says is designed to ‘tackle the number of coasting schools that have remained stubbornly ‘satisfactory’ over a number of inspections’, it has said it will scrap its ‘satisfactory’ rating, replacing it with a ‘requires improvement’ category. But one union has said the measure ‘is about ratcheting up pressure on schools, without providing the support and resources they need to assist them in securing further improvements ‘.

Currently, schools can be ranked ‘inadequate’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. But if the new proposals, which are subject to consultation, get the green light, ‘satisfactory’ will become ‘requires improvement’, and no school will be allowed to remain within this grade for more than three years.

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There are no specific requirements for British schools overseas, unless the host country has its own requirements, but these can be very varied. Ofsted inspects foreign schools in the UK.

The Department for Education (DfE) was approached by several countries to give an assurance that British schools in their area are run properly. As a result, we introduced the BSO Inspection System last September, providing a government-approved inspection process which is absolutely voluntary.

We called for expressions of interest in carrying out inspections from interested organisations. We had applications from nine international organisations with roots in the UK and six were approved, including CfBT Education Trust, Cambridge Education and Tribal Education.

So far nine inspections have been carried out and they all went well. The schools were sufficiently confident about the education they provided to put themselves forward for the first wave. The problems in the Middle East resulted in a number of inspections being delayed last term because of concerns for the safety of inspection teams, but they’ll take place as soon as things quieten down.

During this first year we have been trialling the process.  At the moment we’re not actively promoting the inspection system but I’m confident it will grow organically, by word of mouth. Once national governments decide to support it – and Egypt and Dubai have been finding out more about it – it will snowball. Large corporates who move people around are very interested as education is very high on the list of priorities for people being relocated.

The British Council is often asked to recommend an international school but until now they’ve had nothing to go by. This inspection system helps them discriminate between schools and direct parent to a respected independent report about the school.

How does the BSO Inspection System work and is it similar to Ofsted?

The inspections are broadly similar to Ofsted’s. However, the international aspect means that they’re not short notice visits and most inspections will be booked in advance – it’s all about being pragmatic. The costs of an inspection depend on the organisation that’s carrying it out; the DfE isn’t privy to this as it’s a commercial matter.

The system looks at two overarching issues:

• how easily will a pupil slot back into schooling in the UK and
• if a pupil completes their education in a British overseas school, how difficult would they find it to fit into a UK university, in terms of their qualifications and awareness of how British society works.

I’d like to stress that the system isn’t just for the expensive top public schools; it’s for every good British school overseas that provides a good quality education: it’s not necessary to have lavish facilities. We want to be inclusive, to provide parents with the best quality information about a range of schools, with the reports giving them a real understanding of the ‘flavour’ of a school.

How does the inspection system combine the British character of schools with the need to allow for different cultures?

Again, we need to be pragmatic. Where there’s a conflict between international standards and the requirements of the host country, schools must comply with the host country – and the schools must make this clear to inspectorates who can reflect the situation in their reports.

The ‘British’ aspect of education in international schools can relate to the school’s ethos, values, and extra-curricular activities – its ‘Britishness’!

What are the benefits of the system?

The benefit for schools is that it makes it clear to parents who want a good quality education and understand the value of inspections that the school has reached the gold standard and is as good as the best schools you’ll find in Britain. It also provides an independent view of whether a school will deliver what parents are paying for and that the education provision on offer is as good as it can be.  This means that they need have no hesitation in sending their child there. A further benefit is that the inspectors can suggest how a school can improve, update them on forthcoming developments and things on the horizon.

It’s useful for teachers too. The inspection reports give teachers a better idea of the kind of school they’re considering working for. They can get information on issues like the curriculum of the country and how it impacts on international schools, the school’s facilities, turnover of pupils and how many teachers speak English.

Finally, the government has just confirmed that schools that have had a BSO inspection will be eligible to provide induction for new teachers training in the UK. These new arrangements are likely to come in from September 2012 and we anticipate consulting British Schools Overseas in the autumn on these new arrangements.

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Colin Bell, from the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), commented:

“We support all schools to work towards a DfE approved inspection. We encourage schools to focus on this in their development plans and target setting, with buy-in from governors, senior leaders, teachers, and parents. The inspection system gives schools confidence, increased pride, a feeling of well being and an opportunity to share collective success. It enables a clear comparison with quality education in the UK independent school setting, and evidence of ease of transition for pupils.

Another tangible benefit for a school with a successful BSO DfE approved inspection and fully accredited COBIS membership is that from September 2012 they will be eligible to support NQTs to complete their induction process – something which COBIS has campaigned for.”

In a bid to prevent schools hiding bad pupil behaviour, Education Secretary Michael Gove has said he wants Ofsted to start performing more surprise checks. This could help to get a more accurate picture of what is actually happening in schools on a day to day basis as opposed to when they have had time to prepare for an inspection.

According to reports, when schools know they have an upcoming inspection, some of them ask unruly pupils to stay at home to prevent any disruption on the day. As well as this, weaker teachers have been invited to stay at home so the strong teachers can be used to represent the school in the best possible light.

Whilst these actions paint schools in a very favourable manner, they can be detrimental to staff and students as it means that serious behavioural issues occurring at the school are being covered up and are never dealt with.

Mr Gove is arguing that if Ofsted is aware of what is really happening in schools, then any problems can be tackled and it will help to bridge the gap between the levels of performance in the best and the worst schools.

Do you think that more no-notice inspections should be carried out by Ofsted or would this be unfair on teachers and put increased pressure on them?

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With Lancashire teachers taking the highly unusual move of striking over pupils’ bad behaviour and a ‘lack of backing from management’, we ask just how widespread these kinds of concerns are.

It’s an abnormal day when teachers strike over issues other than pay and conditions. It was widely reported in the media last week that around 70 staff at Darwen Vale High School in Darwen, Lancashire went on strike and formed picket lines to protest over what they described as threats, violence and ‘poor management.’

The Lancashire Telegraph reported that ‘members of the NUT and the NASUWT voted overwhelmingly to take strike action to protest against the management’s failure to support staff in dealing with challenging pupil behaviour.’

‘Children no better or worse than anywhere else’
A representative from the local NUT branch emphasised to the BBC that the school’s children were no better or worse than anywhere else: “This is not a strike against pupils. It is about management and management failure to support staff in dealing with challenging behaviour.”

The school is now said to be in discussion with the unions and staff to resolve the situation and to ensure “that staff feel well supported when they do need to deal with behaviour issues.”

‘Creating an allegations war zone’
The action came during a week when education secretary Michael Gove was accused of creating a “much more aggressive culture” and “creating an allegations war zone,” when he issued new guidance to schools on discipline, which reminds teachers that, where necessary, heads can bring criminal charges against pupils.

Darwen Vale has been rated as a good school, with pupils’ behaviour also given a good rating, by Ofsted (June 2010).

If you’re a teacher, do you feel supported by management over discipline issues? Do teaching staff need greater powers to deal with unruly behaviour? Why not share your views below?

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From Bristol schools where the ratio of pupils to CCTV cameras is 14:1, to a new Ofsted website encouraging parents to rate their child’s school and a teacher from West Sussex biting off more than he could chew in a fight with a crocodile, we delve in to the media to see what lessons are being learnt in the world of education. Join us and have your say.

Rate your school

A new website being launched in September by Ofsted will encourage parents to rate the performance of their child’s school. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8390740/Parents-asked-to-rate-schools.html

Exact details of how the website will operate have yet to be revealed, but it’s thought schools which receive poor feedback may be the subject of an inspection.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, is quoted voicing concerns that the system could be open to abuse and manipulation.

The website is part of a number of changes being considered, which will include a new focus on pupils, as well as the end of routine inspections for schools which are classed as outstanding. A pilot of the new style inspections is to take place in 10 schools before the Easter break, with a wider trial then planned for the summer.

Nearly half of schools going for academy status

A poll of 1,471 heads has found many schools are opting to become academies, with nearly half (46%) having converted to academy status, or saying they intend to.

The research, conducted by the Association of School and College Leaders, reveals nearly three-quarters of these schools believe that this will help them financially. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12712079

Big Brother goes to school

An investigation by the Bristol Evening Post has shown pupils in Bristol schools are being watched by at least 160 CCTV cameras every day. It found that some city schools have as many as 16 cameras in place, and in some cases figures even reach one camera for every 14 pupils.

In the article, http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Pupils-Bristol-schools-watched-160-CCTV-cameras-day/article-3330515-detail/article.html, the paper reveals that Orchard School, in Horfield, and West Town Lane Primary School in Brislington, have the most cameras of any state schools in the city. In contrast, Fairfield High School in Horfield has just one.

Campaign group Big Brother Watch has criticised the use of cameras in schools, saying UK schools use CCTV more than any other country in the world. They believe the money would be better spent educating the pupils than spying on them.

History lessons past it?

More news from Ofsted, with a warning that history lessons could become a thing of the past, as research among UK schools shows curriculum changes are having a negative impact on the subject, reports the Press Association: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hd6BeG6KG7sXKcPoxQc75RSCKycA?docId=N0441111299898946059A

The ‘History For All’ report looked at history lessons in 83 primary and 83 secondary schools between April 2007 and March 2010.

It found that curriculum changes were negatively impacting on history, with time spent on the subject being reduced.

In England, children can currently choose to stop studying history at the age of 13. The UK is the only country in Europe where this is an option.

Gove reveals new drive for teaching standards

Education Secretary Michael Gove has announced that new standards are to be introduced which will help schools weed out poor-performing teachers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12717061.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of School and College Leaders, Mr Gove said the new standards will help raise the bar for teaching and improve pupil performance and behaviour. He said that head teachers and teachers were concerned about current standards being ‘ineffective’ and ‘meaningless’.

Mr Gove has launched a review of the key skills a classroom teacher needs. The new standards will be in place by September 2012.

And finally….

A sick note with teeth

A teacher from West Sussex has been nicknamed ‘Mick Dundee’ after deciding to go crocodile wrestling while on holiday in his native Zimbabwe. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/03/14/teacher-asks-for-day-off-for-a-crocodile-bite-115875-22988001/

Scott Brand, 21, a teacher at Cumnor House school in Haywards Heath, decided to go croc wrestling after having a ‘few beers’. But the animal bit his arm, which required treatment after becoming infected and swollen.

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