WIREDGOV

This autumn, Ofsted will trial some unannounced monitoring visits of satisfactory schools where behaviour is a weakness. The trial will help determine whether unannounced visits are workable and give a clearer picture of behaviour in schools. The results will inform our future monitoring visits to schools where there is a significant need to improve behaviour.

The new approach comes on top of changes Ofsted is already planning to the way we inspect schools, which will see a greater focus on behaviour and bullying in schools. From January 2012, ‘behaviour and safety’ will be one of the four key judgements made by school inspectors when visiting a school.

Miriam Rosen, HMCI said: ‘Where behaviour is poor young people are being denied the quality of education they deserve. As we develop our new inspection plans we are determined to get the focus on this right. By testing out unannounced monitoring visits, we will see if there is even more we can do to help schools address behaviour problems.’

To check on how well pupils behave at the school, as part of the new inspection arrangements, inspectors will spend more time in classrooms, evaluate the ways teachers promote good behaviour, observe pupils as they move around the school, and consider how pupils treat each other and whether they show respect for each other and for adults. Inspectors will also talk to pupils and parents to get their views about the standards of behaviour in the school.