Spring has finally sprung and so too has news of the proposals of the new OFSTED Inspection Framework. Nothing definitive yet on any new curriculum from central government , but schools   realise that they cannot sit around and wait to be told what the master plan is! They are doing what they have always done-making sure the pupils get a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum in which to learn the skills and practise the knowledge and understanding they gain through being immersed in it!

As Mick Waters says "The school curriculum has always been greater than the National Curriculum." I also like his comment about "the basics"

 "Basics? some of us have been back to basics so many times it feels we are on elastic!"

I heard the inimitable Sir Ken Robinson at an RSA Conference last week. Brilliant as ever. His view is that the new basics are "economic, cultural and personal" and the things that will inevitably drive the 21st century curriculum are technology and demography. By the way, if you have not yet done so, Google "Ken Robinson, Changing Paradigms- animation",  and watch a fascinating  six minute audio/video of his thoughts on creativity and curriculum. it is a real treat!

Inspection 2012

Well, the proposals are out albeit a week later than originally planned, and not loudly announced. They are on the Ofsted website under "publications", and take the form of a consultation document.  I strongly suggest you all take the opportunity to have your say before the deadline in May.

As promised it is slimmed down considerably and there is more priority given to detailed observation of teaching and learning within the time available. Behaviour and attendance will carry more weight in the context of safety, as will the promotion of SMSC.  There is also a huge shift in focus towards the effective teaching of reading-presumably throughout the school not just at age 6 tested by the phonics hurdle!

Leadership and governance will also feature strongly and a focus on leadership of learning at all levels will ensure that middle leaders, including those of subjects other than maths and English, will come under scrutiny in  a way that they did a couple of frameworks back.

Schools expecting inspections this academic year or early next will be inspected under the trial version of the new framework (which becomes official in January 2012) from the summer term. So...schools will need to prepare the ground carefully to avoid any panic!!

How can Inspir.ed help?

Mindful of the ongoing need for quality advice, support and guidance in times of change, I am working on new materials and processes that will be of most use to schools.

My SIP REplacement Therapy package has proved popular and I am probably just about at capacity there for the next twelve months but do contact me if you really need help.

The handbooks for Leadersof Learning are now linked with the Guidance for Linked Governors and together provide a very powerful tool for leadership. These are being updated all the time in the light of experience of using them. The March update features a useful prompt/information sheet to support subject leaders,SENCOs and leaders of EYFS to prepare appropriately for any Ofsted interview they might be involved with.

At the time of writing, in response to frequent requests following training, I am putting together separate handbooks for SENCOs and EYFS leaders together with their Linked Governors in order to improve the whole set that will then be available to those who have had the training on middle leadership..

If you are interested in any of the above, please contact me to discuss how they might be used to best support the developments planned by yourselves as the academic year moves into the summer term and beyond.

As Easter approaches,  I wish you all an enjoyable end of term and happy holidays. I have a daughter's wedding to look forward to (before the Royal one!) and so my thoughts will probably be less on the changing educational landscape than they otherwise would be!!

Stay in touch, and take some time to enjoy the sunshine and the daffodils!