IT for Ofsted

[DrBeaker]

Hi All,

 

Just curious as to how other schools and IT teams have dealt with any Ofsted inspections etc.

 

Do they ask to see anything IT-related such as IT plans, IT suites, budget etc? Or is it simply a case of only stuff related to the teaching of students?

 

Thanks

[mrbios]

Been through a few, including special measures and out again. Never been asked a single question, not sure they've even asked if we exist, we don't exist unless something goes wrong remember?

[LeMarchand]

I usually get asked to make sure I'm on site (cover 3 schools) but it's usually a quiet time as people either avoid using anything they're not an expert on or might break down or actually think about Windows + P.

 

P.S. Never spoken to an Ofsted person.

[TechMonkey]

Not done an OFSTED in a while but generally they don't. You may be asked to talk to them about IT and Safeguarding, but I had briefed our DSL enough about everything that they had all the answers so I didn't need to. You may be randomly asked about general safeguarding, but anyone on site could be. You may also be asked to be on a staff panel, but that will be general questions and often pin in a list type selection.

 

You may be asked to help out with setting up the inspectors room; so a PC, printer, access badges if needed, wifi codes. Though some come with mobile dongles and just work from them.

 

I have heard of an inspection where the IT systems were down the whole time of the inspection and they passed fine as everything was given to them as paper. It beggars belief and my feeling is that, depending on the cause, they should fail as there are obviously not the management or process in place to deal with an event like that, but IT isn't part of the inspection so can't be used to fail or even judge the school.

 

EDIT: As mentioned above, it is a great time to get some research or paperwork done as the school runs like clockwork.

Edited December 10, 2019 by TechMonkey

[3s-gtech]

“How do we get on the WiFi?”

 

Many inspections, never been asked more than that. They’re not interested in your development plans and audits - only that ICT is being integrated across the curriculum which is usually not your job (but obviously can have an impact on you).

[mikeprice]

Estyn (Wales) and some years ago - but IT tech got very little attention

Teachers generally avoided using IT in lessons in case it caused problems - except IT teaching and D&T

 

but generally he and I (I was the IT teacher at the time) just checked out stuff in general at the start of the day and then it was just a case of responding to any phone calls - which didn;t happen much

 

just make sure all the printers have lots of toner

 

I have heard of school that made sure they had a spare projector just in case - often borrowed from another local school

 

One school I was at was loaned a colour printer by the LEA just for the inspection

[DrBeaker]

Estyn (Wales) and some years ago - but IT tech got very little attention

Teachers generally avoided using IT in lessons in case it caused problems - except IT teaching and D&T

 

but generally he and I (I was the IT teacher at the time) just checked out stuff in general at the start of the day and then it was just a case of responding to any phone calls - which didn;t happen much

 

just make sure all the printers have lots of toner

 

I have heard of school that made sure they had a spare projector just in case - often borrowed from another local school

 

One school I was at was loaned a colour printer by the LEA just for the inspection

 

That seems a bit deceptive then though with the printer.

 

Same as with any processes though, any failings aren't to show people up despite what people think. They're to identify what works, what doesn't, what we can improve on and things we'd like to improve on (wish-list). I have my plans for improving, upgrading and replacing things. Realistically a lot can't be done due to resources, time, budget etc. Those are beyond my control and pay grade.

 

E.g. I identified when I started the amount of IT problems they have here, including no spare computers - plan is to get some spare ones purchased as that - spares.

 

It's a bit odd that no-one recognises how much IT is used and needed in schools, even Ofsted - from electronic registers, internet, PowerPoints, projectors, sound systems etc etc.