Ofsted vs Network Managers

[maestromasada]

Ofsted is coming tomorrow, my first insight of this dreadful event as a NM

Got e-safety cover, but should I expect any other questions? whats your experience on this?

[plexer]

Lucky you we do too.

In our last 3 inspections I've never had to speak to them.

Ben

[elsiegee40]

It is very likely indeed that they will not come near you unless they need help with printing or something. They have too much to do scaring the pants off the SLT, governors and teachers.

[kernewek-sam]

Last Ofsted, I was asked to stay in the office by deputy-head as the inspector would be up to chat about e-safety etc shortly. He/She never turned up.

[Sylv3r]

You may be involved in a discussion regarding safeguarding / e-safety as this appears to be high on their agenda at the moment but as the majority of the above have said - it will be highly unlikely that you will see them around nevermind talk to them.

[DaveP]

I have only had to talk to Ofsted as Network Manager once [as I recall] and that was only because one of their report writing laptops had a problem. On the subject of the Ofsted laptop I had to troubleshoot the problem without looking at the screen or touching the keyboard [Un-published report content on screen] I had to get them to describe what was happening and based on their reply what they should do next.

I never understood why they didn't have their own support to sort out such an issue.

[plexer]

They should have and they should have used that support why should you fix their laptop under that situation?

Ben

[DaveP]

Quite so. I only did it because The Head said I had to. I think he was worried about any potential effect it may have had on the report: Not that there should have been.

For clarification: This was a LONG time ago.

[maestromasada]

thank you fellows for your great tips, I shall be wearing shorts tomorrow then!

nah, will let you know what happens by friday, uf!

[twin--turbo]

We always expect and get a generally much quieter day.

Rob

[DSapseid]

As others have said ive been working here for nearlly 8 years and have had lots of ofsteds (were in special measures when i first started so every couple of months!) and have never once had to speak to them. Its normally a nice quiet couple of days that i use to catch up on all the little jobs that i hate like filling!

[DocHouse]

In eight yrs of teaching and three as NM only had to speak the once for 10 minutes, wasn't even related to ICT

[Quince]

I find it a bit insulting that OfSted don't speak to VLE or ICT support staff. In 10 yeas I've never once spoken to an inspector. Considering back in 2006 it was announced all schools had to have a VLE ( from 2008 - a requirement which was then scrapped admittedly), yet ours has never been audited.

I think it's probably because, in the nicest possible way, inspectors are former teachers who left front line teaching before the latest IT revolution. Still frustrating though not to be thought of as important enough to be inspected. But then as far as I now, the data manager isn't spoken to either. It does show the limited vision of these inspections.

[dave.81]

We dont get OFSTED but get ISI inspections instead, i've seen them every single time they are in. I've also seen the Boarding Inspectors for chats too.

[Andrew_C]

They should have and they should have used that support why should you fix their laptop under that situation?

Ben

The inspectors are self-employed and working under contract to an organisation who could be the other end of the country. The laptop is probably an inspectors own, not "owned" by the contractor, who will have minimal IT nouse. If the report is not published on time, they may have to inspect all over again. Something I doubt anyone wants.

Fixing a problem in a timely manner is the helpful thing to do.

(Step-mother was an RGI before retirement)