Jonathan Simons and Harriet Waldegrave
This report, published by the think tank Policy Exchange, finds that observing lessons during an inspection, an activity that takes up a considerable amount of time and money, is neither a valid nor reliable measure of a teacher’s effectiveness. Investigating longstanding concerns over the quality and consistency of Ofsted’s inspections, and claims that some inspectors have preferences for particular styles of teaching, the reports recommends that Ofsted should exercise more caution in publications which seem to endorse certain teaching methods.
It also calls for the Ofsted inspector person specification to be tightened, so that all inspectors are only allowed to inspect schools where they have comparable relevant and recent teaching experience, or a high knowledge of assessment and pedagogical practice in that area.
Ofsted has since changed its Inspection Framework and contracting arrangements replacing a number of inspectors.
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