Ofsted update rhys evans.pptx

1. FE and Skills
inspections:
reflections on the
year and looking to
the future
Rhys Evans
BW Conference
September 2014

2. Outline
 Grading pattern and progress this year
 To reflect on the challenges to inspection
practice this year
 To consider what’s new for 2014-15
 Questions and discussion

3. Improvement pattern GFE
 September to June 2013-14:
GFE
improved 51%
grade stayed the
same 31%
grades got worse
18%

4. Improvement pattern ILP
ILP
Grade improved 36%
stayed the same 39%
grade got worse 25%

5. Improvement Pattern sfc
SFC
grade improved 43%
stayed the same 37%
grade got worse 20%

6. Overall grade profile
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
GFE
ILP
SFC

7. Grade table
GFE ILP SFC
Grade 1 8% 2% 43%
Grade 2 56% 64% 37%
Grade 3 32% 29% 20%
Grade 4 5% 5% 5%

8. Impact of grading on
improvement pattern
 Revised framework shifted focus to TLA and away
from outcomes in SSA inspections
 Predicted impact of downgrading outcomes in
SSA inspections caused major concern at more
positive impact of TLA (more later)
 Shift of focus to TLA in overall judgement more
balanced by impact of aspect grade for outcomes

9. Challenges this year
 Inspection at tier 2 – distorts profile in larger
providers, especially colleges
 Reconciling teaching and outcomes in SSA
inspection
 Focusing on TLA but how much significance
to give outcomes and which (VA, success,
progression etc): data tables and BI12
(provider) BI06 (inspector)

10. Challenges (contd.)
 New HMI v more experienced Ais
 Inconsistency of approach by HMI leads –
nothing new but more of a challenge this
year
 Grade changes following EBR

11. Challenges (contd.)
 Lack of feedback on complaints
 Short notice changes and inspection
cancellation
 Shadows
 ISP QA arrangements to review performance
but also to protect Ais. Ofsted QA visits more
on documentary compliance. Tension
between getting the judgements right v
completing paperwork satisfactorily

12. New for 2014-15
 ISP contract ends August 2015
 More new HMI being recruited
 Reduction in inspection likely with reduced
demand for Ais
 More practitioner inspectors required: new
recruits in CfBT very strong

13. New for 2014-15
 “New” models for framework changes 2015
to be piloted in 2014: suggestion of
monitoring visits to confirm good or trigger
inspection (déjà vu?)
 Piloting gradeless lesson obs. ( “Ofsted
doesn’t grade lessons” briefing this year
followed by “But we do in FE and Skills”) RIP
the One Ofsted of Christine Gilbert
 Revolutionary proposal to have one common
framework for schools, fe and skills. Blood
stains still on carpet from attempt in 2005!

14. And Finally
3 final reflections:
1. Regret Ofsted tendency to identify the
“problem of inconsistency” as an AI one
which has contributed to Ofsted decision to
manage Ais in house and lack of progress
with tacking problem at HMI level
2. 2. Welcome attempts to reduce reliance on
judging teaching quality on lesson grades.
May help level playing field with Sixth
Forms (happy to explain if required)

15. And Finally Finally
 3. Changes rumoured to be proposed to
framework confirms my experience that
tendency on the British Civil Service to
regard all new ideas as new without ever
asking if they have been tried before and
why they did or did not succeed is alive and
well and thriving in Whitehall.