Old Primary Head

Primary/Special head. I write, I ride and I lead - not always at the same time. Lessons from the Heads Office (available on Amazon). @headsroundtable

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@SharonRobe61510 @oldandrewuk @StuartLock I think this is so important. We frame it around standards etc or no excuses when what we need to acknowledge is the real world, the reality which is no nicely set in the middle.

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

Poor children? As someone who was poor and came from a disadvantaged position and is a long standing head… I don’t see how a contextual inspection regime can’t be an improvement regime… you can improve without comparing to the ridiculous.

[Stuart Lock @StuartLock]

I do not think this is something to celebrate and I worry about what it means for poor children in schools that are underperforming: https://t.co/nGnZm2f0Zu

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

For clarification: I do not see this as a MO issue. I believe Ofsted needs system change. Root and branch- and that is not about lowering standards. As a head I want our standards to be the very best. But not at the cost of many very good professionals.

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@oldandrewuk @StuartLock No. But it was almost impossible getting Ofsted to understand why- on paper and through the very poor lens of the IDSR- the quality of education - looks lower. Nuance and context must come first and quality of education is also about progress not just achievement.

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@oldandrewuk @StuartLock Of course. I think I follow you blog.

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@oldandrewuk @StuartLock What I meant was ensuing it was a top priority. That a school has quality of education up front and is clearly trying to improve it if there are gaps in outcomes.

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@oldandrewuk @StuartLock Last year I had 45% send in Year 6. 17% EhCPs. The IDSR and therefore Ofsted does not reflect this context. That is wrong.

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@oldandrewuk @StuartLock Ok- so what are your thoughts on a school with say double national SEND and PP getting national expected grades and a school with very very low indicators getting much higher grades. Is this all down to the quality of education the schools provide?

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@oldandrewuk @StuartLock Andrew, I assume you mean poor quality of education as in poor Statutory results? (SATs and GCSEs etc)?

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

Exactly this. The lazy argument that by recognising context is lowing standards needs to be challenged.

[Simon Smith @smithsmm]

Ignoring context isn't high expectations. It's just a way to blame the schools serving the children who need them most.
My latest blog. #Education #SEND #Inclusion

https://t.co/ZyaVykB6xd

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@oldandrewuk @StuartLock I would turn this into- with context like this. The current set up does nothing to address the issues. Ofsted in its current skin is not improving the system equitably. I don’t expected favours for having over 60 EHCPs- but I expect an IDSR that makes this very clear in data.

[Vic Goddard @vicgoddard]

We had our first experience of this framework this week and this is very welcome news and long overdue. Let’s hope they don’t just tinker around the edges and actually understand it is a revolution, not evolution, that is needed @LucyMPowell https://t.co/2eS3VHuCdi

[Vic Goddard @vicgoddard]

Having lived it; ask for your ofsted inclusion grade to be written on supersoft paper to give it some use.

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@StuartLock Not sure what the poverty comparison will do but happy to listen and try to understand why you still feel that schools who are often punished for higher Send and disadvantage should be targetted over schools with lower disadvantage and less inclusive practices?

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@dsprimed Saw them at Bristol Uni in 90-92… memory is shot. But I distinctly remember the whole room exploding - front to back- from song 1. I was terrified!

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

Last of the summer whisky…

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@vicgoddard @dave_mcpartlin I am the best… ask my mum!

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

Ofsted have utterly failed to reform. The profession is further away than ever to their take on accountability. It is not about one person leading.. it is systemic. If this was a school you are graded… and it hurts doesn’t it?

[Old Primary Head @Oldprimaryhead1]

@OffiLIFEOFAGONY @arobert Happy birthday fella.