bexx
01-02-2010, 05:54 PM
I wanted to share my experience of complaining to Ofsted.I had my inspection before Xmas, and although the inspector was very nice, I was disappointed in the outcome and grade. I have worked incredibly hard, and felt some of the points raised were not in keeping with the inspection framework.
I did post my disappointment on this forum, and had many CM's sending their supportive messages. However I was still disgruntled, and when the report arrived, I felt even more agrieved. There were things which had been mentioned in the inspection, which, in my opinion, had been exaggerated in the written report.
For example, the inspector had mentioned a visitors towel in my cloakroom, and stated she felt this was confusing for the children, when they were supposed to use kitchen towel. The report reads that the children have kitchen towel to use, but many use the towel. I had two children, not many, that day, and I was with them when they washed their hands, so I know this didn't happen. It sounded like I ran a nursery!
She also wrote that I was good for partnership with parents, but scored me 3 satisfactory on the judgements page at the back.
After much consideration, I decided I felt strongly enough to write a letter, which I did, highlighting each area I was unhappy with.
After receiving the standard reply, I have had a call upholding part of the complaint straight away, the part where the scores were not the same. Apparantly this was human error, although I did voice concern that this had gone through quality assurance.
The person investigating also agreed that on the face of it I had not had the correct feedback, or been given a chance to talk about the judgements. He is awaiting the inspectors reply before he can completing the investigation.
The complaint has been handled well so far, and not just because they have agreed with me!
I am glad I challenged the findings of the report, and would definitely advise anyone else who feels they have issues with their inspection, or the report, to put it in writing. It is easy to moan about it, but if you truly believe that something is not right, it is worth trying to put your case across.:littleangel:
I did post my disappointment on this forum, and had many CM's sending their supportive messages. However I was still disgruntled, and when the report arrived, I felt even more agrieved. There were things which had been mentioned in the inspection, which, in my opinion, had been exaggerated in the written report.
For example, the inspector had mentioned a visitors towel in my cloakroom, and stated she felt this was confusing for the children, when they were supposed to use kitchen towel. The report reads that the children have kitchen towel to use, but many use the towel. I had two children, not many, that day, and I was with them when they washed their hands, so I know this didn't happen. It sounded like I ran a nursery!
She also wrote that I was good for partnership with parents, but scored me 3 satisfactory on the judgements page at the back.
After much consideration, I decided I felt strongly enough to write a letter, which I did, highlighting each area I was unhappy with.
After receiving the standard reply, I have had a call upholding part of the complaint straight away, the part where the scores were not the same. Apparantly this was human error, although I did voice concern that this had gone through quality assurance.
The person investigating also agreed that on the face of it I had not had the correct feedback, or been given a chance to talk about the judgements. He is awaiting the inspectors reply before he can completing the investigation.
The complaint has been handled well so far, and not just because they have agreed with me!
I am glad I challenged the findings of the report, and would definitely advise anyone else who feels they have issues with their inspection, or the report, to put it in writing. It is easy to moan about it, but if you truly believe that something is not right, it is worth trying to put your case across.:littleangel: