Our school is having an OFSTED inspection on 16/17 December. They found out the day before. Does this really matter? How would you feel if this was happening at your school? It should be a week of Christmas plays, class parties, school discos and festive activities. As parents we want OFSTED to give a true reflection of how our school is performing. The week before the Christmas holidays is disrupted with rehearsals for Christmas performances, parties and lots of well earned fun activities that are somewhat out of the norm. The teachers are totally run off their feet supporting these activities and the children are exhausted. It is not a fair time to impose an inspection on the school. Likewise with the last week before the end of the year. This is not an appropriate time to carry out inspections, with celebrations of the achievements and often emotional farewells between pupils and teachers.

We wait 4 years for an inspection. We want it carried out fairly. I am not suggesting that OFSTED are being unfair, but the timing and situation within the school makes it an unfair assessment! STOP OFSTED inspections on the run up to Christmas and end of the school year! How can an inspection that takes place at an inappropriate time be meaningful? The parents than having to wait a further 4 years for the next bit of feedback! All we are saying is please...no OFSTED inspections during the last full week of school before Christmas or the last full week before the end of the school year.

Something has to give. Either OFSTED has to make allowances for non-standard activities during those times, which compromises their assessment and makes a farce of the inspection system, or teachers will be forced to cancel those activities. I don't want them to cancel Christmas week. Or the teachers will be judged on a week that is just not how they would normally do things!

Choices:

A useless inspection;The children lose out on their exciting activities; The teachers are judged unfairly!

We are entitled to a credible inspection that gives an accurate reflection of our school!

Let our children, teachers and schools have a stress free week to enjoy planned celebrations and activities...they have certainly earned it!

Please stop OFSTED inspections on the run up to Christmas and end of year!