School Inspection & Self-Evaluation

Written for heads and teachers, this forward-thinking book examines exactly what the relationship between inspection and self-evaluation means for schools and explores some of the underpinning issues, featuring examples of best practice from successful schools. It is full of useful advice on topics such as how schools can juggle ongoing self-evaluation with OFSTED's expectations, how to use web sources to best advantage and what can be learnt from experience to lessen the anxiety in the relationship and make it more of a friendly and formative experience for all parties. Drawing on case studies from primary, secondary and special schools, this all-round overview should be of immediate interest to practitioners while also offering students and aspiring heads and teachers a valuable source of detailed information about the processes of inspection and self-assessment.

1. New Relationships for Old 2. A View from the Schools 3. A View from the Bell Tower 4. Inspection and Self-Evaluation: A Brief History 5. Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics 6. Self-Evaluation, Review, Audit, Self-Assessment and Self-Inspection 7. Hearing Voices 8. Learning In and Out of School 9. PLASCS, PATS, Electronic Pandas and Other Beastly Inventions 10. Every Child Matters? 11. The SEF and How to Use It 12. Who Needs a School Improvement Partner? Critical Friend or Trojan Collaborator 13. Googling Around: the Connoisseur's Guide 14. The Tools of Self-Evaluation 15. The Leadership Equation 16. What Can We Learn From Other Countries?