Shane Chowen’s Post

Agree - those of us who've been around long enough will remember how distracting long notice inspections were to doing the day job.

I think an important point not to be lost here is that Ofsted will be running events to take providers through the new framework. These will take place once everything is decided, the pilots are concluded late on next term, they will be free and will likely be in the summer term. It’s worth noting this as one can save a lot of time and money sitting through ‘could be, should be, would be, might be’ couch 🛋️ conference conversations in the meantime!

We don’t need longer notice periods. If anything, that will just heighten the level of stress. Get in, get out. When colleges are being inspected, everything stops, so making the window bigger is not helpful.

Agreed, Shane. I am not at all a fan of longer notice periods. Proportionate inspection practices, consistency between inspectors/regions and a supportive, constructive approach are far more important. Longer notice periods really just mean more stress and anxiety in the process for provider staff.

Like Lou, I well remember when everyone wanted shorter notice periods. It was 3 months at one time and then went down to 3 weeks before moving to two days. A good example of 'what comes around, goes around'. Having said all that, I think five working days' notice or similar would be right taking all things into consideration.

I agree. 2 days notice gives enough time for leaders to collate evidence and a true representation of provision once inspectors arrive.

I totally agree Shane Chowen I remember working at the LSC in the 2000s when colleges got three weeks notice - the energy and stress of preparation was incredible. While the short notice means you always have to be 'ready', long notice periods led to lots of unhelpful introspection and time spent guessing and preparing what would happen when they came in. My experience of short notice inspections in a college when I worked there was definitely more positive.

Agreed - it gives less-effective leadership teams a longer period to put preparatory pressure on teaching staff and is a godsend to mocksted consultants who can sell 'what to do in the week before Ofsted' snake oil.

Agreed.