The Independent is reporting these former Ofsted inspectors are being brought in to assess areas in need of improvement, so schools can fix these obvious flaws before the official Ofsted staff arrive.
This ‘mock’ inspections have actually been discouraged in the past by the education watchdog, claiming it gives schools an unfair advantage. There are also worries that these ‘consultants’ could help schools cover up long-standing problems that Ofsted inspectors would normally detect. For example, in Birmingham last year several schools that were judged “outstanding” by Ofsted failed their reassessments after it emerged that children were not being safeguarded from extremism.
This is not the first we’ve heard of underhand measures being taken when it comes to Ofsted inspections. It was recently revealed that a school in Wiltshire “hid” a number of pupils while inspectors were examining the school.
One mother who was told to keep her 12-year-old autistic son at home by the school, said: "I was shocked. My son needs routine, and they took that routine away from him. If he has got a problem his needs should be met. As a parent I feel that for those two days he wasn't included. My son asked me why he was kept off school for two days. I didn't know what to say to him.”
Ofsted are now imposing an official ban on so-called ‘Mocksteds, with a spokesman saying: "Ofsted has repeatedly said we do not expect, or want, schools to prepare for inspections. Schools should do nothing other than focus on providing a good education.
"Furthermore, we have been clear with our contracted Ofsted inspector workforce that they are not allowed to carry out mock Ofsted inspections."
The Department for Education has now said it will be clamping down on headteachers using school funds to hire these former Ofsted inspectors as consultants.
