Notice like this is not for a "normal" Ofsted inspection. This would be for a monitoring inspection for a school that is rated Satisfactory, NTI or Special Measures. 40% of schools rated Satisfactory will get a monitoring inspection, they are likely ot be ones whose inspection reports and performance data suggest they are not making acceptable progress. These arrangements apply to schools inspected both before and after the Sept 09 changes.

There was a letter to schools from Ofsted last month which explained all this.

 The "normal notice is still 2 - 3 working days.

Don't assume a full 3 year gap between inspections either. Lots of schools are being inspected well under 3 years. We were 2 years 5 months.

 You have my sympathy if you've got this hanging over you during half-term.  This 20 days business with 30 minutes warning is a piece of nonsense. The stress caused is unbelievable, not just for teachers, but their families and the children at school.  Everyone knows how stressful a 2 day visit can be, even if you are the most organised teacher in the world.  Well multiply that by 10, try to have all your lessons organised, just so, in case this is the day they come and add in all the extra hours you do just to get really on top of everything possible. Nightmare. At my school, we've had illness, tears and weight loss!!!! I've heard that this system may change.  So it should.  We are not naughty children just waiting to be found out.

 Hi Liz, the inspectors did phone at 7.50am to forewarn us that they were on their way - arrived in school about 8.15.  We were on day 6 of our 20 day notice period (they don't include holidays as part of the 20 days).  Hope it all goes well for you, try not to worry too much in the meantime.

Once you've been given your 20 days notice the minimum time they will be in, will be 5 days after that (HMI told us it takes that long to get paperwork sorted)

speedfreak:

Ours had never been a teacher.