Exploring what defines a good school and how to evaluate them, the podcast discusses the impact of parental choice and Offstead school inspections, the limitations of using statistics and exam results to compare schools, determining what makes a good school, and parental attitudes towards school choice.
Factors like the school's atmosphere, teacher-student relationships, and support for individual needs are key considerations for many parents when choosing a school.
Choosing a school shouldn't rely solely on Offstead reports or league tables, as other important factors come into play, such as the school's learning environment and how teachers interact with students.
Deep dives
Importance of Parental Choice in Selecting Schools
Choosing the best school for their child is a significant decision for parents. Successive governments in England have emphasized parental choice, promoting the idea that parents have control over their child's destiny. Open evenings, where parents can tour schools and meet staff, play a crucial role in shaping these decisions. The belief is that parental choice can lead to system-wide improvements in student attainment and performance. However, academic research suggests that while parental choice is important, relying solely on measures like Offstead reports and school league tables might not provide a complete picture. Factors like the school's atmosphere, teacher-student relationships, and support for individual needs are key considerations for many parents.
Limitations of Offstead Reports and School Rankings
Offstead reports, which grade schools and provide descriptions of their work, are often considered a significant factor in school selection. However, research shows that the usefulness of these reports is limited in predicting long-term student outcomes. Schools with different Offstead grades, apart from 'outstanding', demonstrate little difference in student performance when factors like background and family influence are considered. Furthermore, the judgement of schools can vary depending on the inspectors, with full-time inspectors often being slightly harsher than freelance inspectors. This variability raises questions about the reliability and consistency of Offstead assessments as a sole measure of school quality.
Complexity of School Choice and Importance of School Visits
Choosing a school shouldn't rely solely on Offstead reports or league tables. Other important factors come into play, such as looking at the school's learning environment, how teachers interact with students, and support for individual needs. Parents often seek information from other families, teachers, online forums, and direct visits to schools to get a more comprehensive picture. While data-based measures provide insights, they don't capture the full scope of what makes a good school. Additionally, the home environment and parental support also play crucial roles in a child's education. Ultimately, parental choice is a complex and multifaceted process that goes beyond relying solely on external measures of school quality.
How should we evaluate schools? Is it about delivering a wide range of subjects, or extra activities and pastoral care that make a “good” school? Who gets to decide what is a good school and what does that mean to different people? Many people are influenced by the four Ofsted grades and Ofsted reports so what does research tell us about how consistent those judgements are? Would you choose a school with a good local reputation but a lower inspection grade. The programme talks to Sonia Exley, an associate professor at the London School of Economics, Professor Christian Bokhove at the University of Southampton, Natalie Perera, chief executive of the Education Policy Institute, Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education and Skills at the OECD, George Leckie, Professor of Social Statistics at the University of Bristol,Dr Ellen Gleaves, a postdoctoral researcher.
Presenter: Branwen Jeffreys
Producer: Bob Howard
Editor: Clare Fordham
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