Inspections

Toto Wolfcastle

A subject inspection will take place soon in my school. There has been a lot of talk regarding the union directives and these directives will be followed by all staff who are being inspected. A recent article suggests that not all teachers are following the directives.

Does anyone have any opinions on this? I don't entirely agree with everything the unions have said in relation to inspections but I will follow the directives. I just feel that it makes everything so much more difficult while actually achieving very little.

daisyjane

My department had a subject inspection late last year. We were directed not to cooperate i.e no meetings with inspector and we were not to provide our notes/plans etc. We were told however to allow the inspector sit in our classes as requested and she was allowed to view whatever she wanted belonging to the students. In fairness the woman was very good. She was made aware of the situation and didn't ask us for anything we weren't allowed show her. We were of very mixed opinions as to the union directive but the inspector was sound about the whole thing really.

Toto Wolfcastle

I have no doubt that most inspectors, if not all, are aware that our hands are tied. They have a job to do and will go about it as best they can without our full cooperation. I think sometimes we tend to forget that they are human too. I just feel terribly sorry for inspectors and teachers who have to deal with this.

daisyjane

Agreed. We were not quite sure how the whole thing would be taken and to be honest I would nearly have preferred a proper inspection. We still haven't heard anything back from the inspectorate!!

implausible

I think part of the problem is that the TUI and ASTI are not singing from the same hymn-sheet.

Afaik, inspections are enshrined in legislation and as such, are exempt from industrial action. TUI have directed teachers to co-operate with inspections, as they are part of our conditions of service, but not to participate in meetings.

Toto Wolfcastle

The ASTI has directed teachers to allow the inspectors into the classrooms but not to provide plans, etc. The ASTI have a FAQ type thing here.

TheDriver

to be honest, if teachers are going along with the union directive, I would be very wary of doing otherwise. I know people aren't always happy with union directives etc but you don't want to risk being reported and sanctioned. SO what says you, well when you need the union when some kid makes a false alligation or management try to screw you, then they could refuse to help you because you didn't bother cooperatiing with them.