Inspectors asked to leave after ‘troubling incidents’
Ofsted visit comes to an ‘untimely end’ at Newcastle College
During the intense scrutiny of an Ofsted inspection, principals could be forgiven for fantasising about telling inspectors to sling their hook. But Newcastle College has become the first institution to turn this fantasy into reality after asking an Ofsted team to leave partway through an inspection.
The unprecedented move came as a result of what the college has described as “some troubling incidents” involving inspectors and staff.
In a memo to staff seen by TES, Dame Jackie Fisher (pictured left), executive principal of the college’s parent organisation NCG, the biggest FE organisation in the country, paid tribute to “the self-confidence and belief of our staff and students, who were not intimidated by inspectors but who held their ground from a position of professional and ethical confidence”.
It has also been claimed that the inspectors were offered counselling following a confrontation with teachers.
The NCG memo reveals that, following the “untimely end” of the aborted inspection in early June, the college “finally agreed to allow the inspectors to return” last week. The inspection has now been concluded and a spokesman for NCG said it had already submitted an official complaint to Ofsted about the inspection.
The final report has not yet been released, but provisional results shared with Newcastle College reveal that it is likely to be graded “good” overall. In its last full inspection in 2008, the college was rated “outstanding” in every area.
Of the colleges inspected so far in 2012, about two-thirds have seen their overall grade decline.
“Many of you are aware that the Ofsted inspection was not entirely trouble free,” Dame Jackie’s memo said. “We are planning to pursue with Ofsted some outstanding matters which may improve the grade profile. However, based on Ofsted’s track record in listening to provider complaints, this must be viewed as unlikely, regardless of how strong our case is.
“I would like to thank you for all of the hard work you put in to planning and preparing for inspection and the excellent way you responded to inspectors,” she added.
An Ofsted spokeswoman confirmed that the initial inspection had been cut short, but refused to comment on the case.
An NCG spokesman said: “We are very concerned with the way the inspection was conducted and there were some troubling incidents, which meant the inspection ended before it was complete. We agreed inspectors could return to complete the inspection last week. We have officially complained to Ofsted and are awaiting their response.”
Iain Owens, the University and College Union’s North East regional official, said he believed the college had accused Ofsted inspectors of “bullying” staff - a claim that the watchdog had denied.
Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said this was the first case he had heard of where Ofsted was asked to leave midway through an inspection. “Certainly people have talked about it, but I have not heard of any cases of it happening,” he said.
“We would expect that, if there is a problem, people will be able to resolve it with the lead inspector. If not, the advice we give is to call our advice line and we will talk to Ofsted directly.”
Legally, schools and colleges are obliged to allow Ofsted entry to their premises for the purposes of inspection.
At the NUT’s annual conference in April, the union said it would consider a campaign of “non-cooperation” with Ofsted, following similar action taken by teaching unions in Northern Ireland that saw inspectors barred from the classroom.
‘NEGATIVE IMPACT’
Newcastle College has rarely been far from the headlines since it announced plans to axe a tenth of its workforce last year.
A merger with neighbouring Northumberland College collapsed in November, with Northumberland insisting that the behaviour of Newcastle College’s parent organisation NCG was having a “negative impact” on its reputation.
NCG also fell out with the city council and local schools after submitting a bid for a free school in the city. This has since been rejected.
Original headline: Inspectors given their marching orders after ‘troubling incidents’
Comment (3)
Regardless of what is said about NCG they were brave to ask the inspection team to leave.
Articles about Ofsted usually generate a large response and much of the comment relates to the quality and competence of the inspectors. The fact that NCG effectively 'drew a line in the sand' as to what standards they were prepared to accept from this inspection team is to be applauded.
Too often providers are intimidated by the implied threat that 'Ofsted will get them back'. There are many unacceptable incidents which do not result in official complaints because:
1. It is felt that it is a waste of time complaining to Ofsted because nothing will happen. - It certainly will not if you do not complain.
2. The governors fear that to complain would result in the provider being more harshly judged in the future or at re-inspection.
3. The Local Authorities fear that other providers in their area will be over harshly judged as a reprisal.
For the last two points Ofsted, like all bullies, trade on this weakness then 'boast' about how few complaints they receive. (Although 6% is a high complaint level especially in this environment of fear)
So well done NCG
I do hope that other providers feel strong enough to 'draw their lines in the sand'. Only then might Ofsted address its own shortcomings.
So with that in mind
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16:24
20 July, 2012
WillJ21
On a separate issue.
I note that NCG have already lodged a complaint to Ofsted.
If they have not already done so I suggest that they take the following actions:
1. Ensure they have full statements from members of staff involved in the incidents and also from people who have observed these incidents in passing. Ofsted will have statements from the inspectors involved as well as from other inspectors who might have been nearby.
2. Collect any CCTV and sound recordings that cover the incidents.
3. Under Freedom of Information ask for copies of all Evidence Forms, incident reports, transcription of telephone calls from the inspectors to Ofsted and /or ISP offices, copies of statements from all the inspection team related to the complaints. -- Basically any documentation raised by Ofsted related to the inspection and subsequent complaints.
NCG might be surprised by the version events Ofsted's inspectors have put forward.
4. In the FOI request state words to the effect that ' we understand some items of information may be redacted in consideration of the Data Protection Act'. Using the Data Protection Act is a classic Ofsted avoidance/delaying tactic.
5. Since there is a good chance that FOI information will not be forthcoming until after a Stage 2 complaint needs to be submitted (assuming NCG have to go to that stage), NCG need to contact Ofsted to agree an extension to the 'latest submission date'. Ofsted in the form of Christine Gilbert (former HMCI) confirmed Ofsted would agree to such a request.
I trust these points are of help to other complainants.
Ofsted clearly feel unaccountable and feel there is no need to change their way of working. To get them to change their operation to the point that they regain some credibility within education is to take a 'zero tolerance' approach to their shortcomings. and complain. Importantly the shortcomings need to be publicised.
The TES has always been willing to 'expose' Ofsted's shortcoming but is only recently that the national dailies are showing more willingness to echo those stories (and even report their own). Ofsted seem to react to this wider (adverse) publicity. The more the public at large see what a flawed, destructive force Ofsted is the more the government might do something to get Ofsted to address their own failings.
We live in hope.
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17:07
20 July, 2012
WillJ21
That's rich - Newcastle College management complaing about bullying it's SOP up there. Sounds like they didn't like a bigger bully in their playground so they ran to tell their mam. Listening to, and acting on, greivances from the staff - I can't believe it. As they say up here "there's a rabbit off".
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14:45
21 July, 2012
Giggety