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Science Dept - Ofsted inspection

Last post 01/02/12 at 00:07 by FGTO, 11 replies
Post started by Roboteer on 24/01/12 at 12:32

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  • Roboteer avatar
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    Posted by: Roboteer 24/01/2012 at 12:32
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    Hi,

    Has anyone been through a science specific Ofsted? We are being looked at next week and wondered if anyone had any pearls of wisdom to share as to what things were looked at etc.

    I presume that as they are only looking at 5 of us there will be much more observation of individual lessons etc. Do they look at SoW/paperwork etc as none of this ever seems to happen with the big visits?

    Much thanks for any help/reassurance.
  • 2Tony2 avatar
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    Posted by: 2Tony2 24/01/2012 at 13:11
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    Not a subject specific one but a general OFSTED last November. One 'paperwork' thing they were keen to look at was Health and Safety/Risk Assessment.
  • MarkS avatar
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    Posted by: MarkS 24/01/2012 at 19:57
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    Hi,

    We haven't had a Science inspection, but another department had a subject inspection. As well as lots of observations and the usual stuff, they were particularly interested in:

    • Use of data - how well does the department understand its impact? How successful is the department in a range of measures? What are the trends? How well do EAL & SEN kids do?
    • Health & Safety
    • Pupil views - what feedback do you have?
    • Long term planning & schemes of work

    This is just a taster of what they dug into in quite some depth...a lot of SLT and subject leaders spent a lot of time trying to answer some quite difficult questions!

    Mark
  • sideshow avatar
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    Posted by: sideshow 25/01/2012 at 21:10
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    Another subject in our school had a subject inspection, they wanted to see extra curricular, marking, schemes of work, department handbook, textbooks they use, lists of outside speakers etc. They only saw two lessons and thought that the teachers were trying too hard to show progress and not concentrating enough on teaching so there could be progress.
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    Posted by: cottrellh 27/01/2012 at 11:20
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    yes, we had one in June last year.  One inspector.  He was in school for two days.  He observed all of the teachers and seemed to look at everything.  Including marking, sow etc.  I am not in management so couldn't say specifics.  He watched half of each lesson and we knew on the day which lesons he was observing and which parts.  He met with SLT and hod etc.  Very thorough.  He seemed to be particulaly concerned with progress of the higher ability pupils.  All teachers observed got verbal feedback.  Have a look at the reports on line to see what is written.  Good luck.
  • Roboteer avatar
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    Posted by: Roboteer 27/01/2012 at 20:54
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    Thanks for the replies :-)

    Hopefully we are all ready to go for next week - my HoD has a stack of evidence to show him that is sky high so if we're lucky it'll take him 2 days to get through just that ;-)
  • sciencebabe avatar
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    Posted by: sciencebabe 30/01/2012 at 21:52
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     We had a science survey visit in October - was billed as a development opportunity!!

     

    We got good in all four categories which would have been outstanding on old criteria.  It was very tough and everyone in department (5 in my department too) was seen at least twice.  You really need to make sure of the following:

    - spend lot's of time planning your lessons, make sure the objectives are acheivable and that you have shown the progress the students have made in the lesson, plenary etc.  They all need to acheive it...

    -   Get the science subject criteria from the website and make sure you have covered it all.

    - make sure of the H&S she was really hot on this - sources etc even the emergency eye wash on the labs!

    - She went through the handbook so make sure this is updated!

    - Are all your department following the marking criteria?

    - Really know your data (& kids), I was grilled for 90 minutes on both days!!!

  • sciencebabe avatar
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    Posted by: sciencebabe 30/01/2012 at 22:17
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     Sorry also need to add..

     - she looked at all the schemes of learning

    The best bit of advice is don't try to hide anything, they will find it.  Just make sure you know the problems and have things in place to address them.

     

    Good Luck - it will be over soon!!

  • Beggars_Belief avatar
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    Posted by: Beggars_Belief 30/01/2012 at 23:08
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    I had a Science dept ofsted 3 years ago. The criteria may be different but certain points will be universal. Make sure you have lots of data to show them and that you know how to break it down into groups: teaching sets, gifted and talented, sen, free school meals, esl etc.  Meet with your line manager and / or head teacher well before hand so that you "sing from the same hymn sheet". Have documented actioin plans for current classes and agree on longer term strategies. Expect all your teachers to be observed and marking of excercise books etc. to be scrutinised. During your grilling with the inspector and when getting feedback after observation, don't be afraid to argue your case.
  • FGTO avatar
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    Posted by: FGTO 31/01/2012 at 11:21
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     It may be too late for your inspection, but here's the guidance the inspectors get.

    Generic grade descriptors and supplementary subject-specific guidance for inspectors on making judgements during subject survey visits to schools.

    Good luck!
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