An Inspector Calls: Simple tips for AoLE leaders once you have the call
So, the school has had the dreaded call! The head emerged ashen-faced from their office after speaking to the lead Inspector, and the countdown began. You are Leading an AoLE, so what should you do?
The first thing to consider is that 10 days is a long time to worry and lose sleep, but not enough time to do anything significant. So what should you focus on in the minimal time between now and the inspectors arriving tomorrow morning, fresh from the nearest Premier Inn and full of unlimited breakfast?
Here are our top tips for being inspection-ready in that short space of time.
Check your school’s website. What does it say about your AoLE and the broader curriculum? Undoubtedly, the lead inspector will have looked at the website. Is there evidence of good stuff happening, or is there just a blank space?
Check your AoLE leaders’ folder/ or relevant information on your laptop to ensure it is up-to-date. Is everything accessible and to hand? Do you have a one-page action plan? Do you have some examples of good practice? Do you have some evidence of impact? Estyn may not ask you for information, but you will feel better if ready.
Where is your evidence? As schools increasingly move away from books for subjects, they are evidencing in more engaging and creative ways. As an AoLE leader, do you have a good idea of where the evidence is? Seesaw, Learning journals, KWL grids, etc.
Get your Cameo ready. Estyn is now inserting cameos in their reports. These are “spotlights” of good practice. Consider your cameos and areas of good practice that you would like to share—have them ready and drop them under the inspector’s nose.
Remember you are leading an area of learning and ‘Experience’. Do you have some examples of the children's experiences as part of your AoLE? Remember, these should be linked to how your curriculum has been designed to link to the school context. For example, Cearau means fort. So, if you are located near a place with this name or derivation, there is a good chance a Roman fort is close.
Have a quick environment check. You don’t have time to create new displays, but is there evidence of progression in your AoLE around the school and the environment? If not, don’t panic; knowing what other teachers are doing to promote your AoLE is helpful.
You might want to spend half an hour considering these questions from the perspective of your AoLE:
How is curriculum reform influencing planning and collaboration?
How do you approach the curriculum now, and how do you judge the impact of any changes you have made?
Do curriculum areas require more consideration than others, and if so, how?
Have you mapped the DCF against the department/year of the current curriculum?
Have you identified any gaps in provision for the DCF, and if so, how are you addressing this?
Rembere will organise child care if needed and try to keep a perspective around the whole situation.
Finally
Remember, in the Immortal words etched into the front of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, written in large friendly letters: Don’t Panic! The ten days leading up to an inspection can seem prolonged and worrisome. Moreover, these 10 days don't give you any time to implement anything significant. Remember, the inspection will come and go. The changes to the way Estyn inspects mean that from September 2024, inspections have been short and sweet. As a result, inspectors will not have time to look in-depth as they did in England with the “deep dives” Finally, keep something cold in the fridge for Wednesday night when it’s all over. It may still be a school night when the inspection ends, but you will have a nice glass of your favourite tipple.
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If you want to hear more from Huw or learn about our training, That link will take you to this article. For example, leading your AoLE or self-evaluation is made simple. Follow the links below.
Alternatively, if you would like to book Huw into your schools for an Inset, twilight or cluster training, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
