Just over a third of teachers believe that Ofsted can accurately assess a school in three days, a survey has revealed.
In a poll carried out by Teacher Tapp, only 35 per cent of teachers agreed that inspectors could accurately inspect a school in three days or fewer.
And 41 per cent do not believe the inspectorate can accurately assess a school’s performance, no matter the length of the inspection.
The survey findings come after former chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw told Tes that longer inspections would be needed if draft proposals for Ofsted’s report card were to go ahead next year.
Ofsted is due to consult the sector on its new inspection framework and report card model in January.
Senior leaders more optimistic about Ofsted
Teacher Tapp’s survey of more than 11,000 teachers and leaders also found a “notable divide” in the responses from staff in different roles.
Senior leaders were more optimistic about Ofsted’s ability to inspect, with 45 per cent believing inspections could work within three days.
This is in contrast to classroom teachers, with just 31 per cent reporting the same.
Of those who believed that Ofsted could carry out an accurate inspection, 54 per cent felt three days or fewer would suffice, while 46 per cent believed a longer inspection would be needed.
Ofsted’s current guidance says that inspections will normally last two full days.
Teachers were also asked what they believe Ofsted inspectors need to accurately assess a school’s performance.
Some 84 per cent of teachers said that knowledge of the school’s local context was the most important factor, closely followed by phase expertise (80 per cent) and subject expertise (60 per cent).
They were also asked what factors influence inspection accuracy. Only 10 per cent of teachers believed that inspection length was the most important factor behind inspection accuracy.
Instead, top priorities were understanding the school’s local context (55 per cent) and having teaching experience (54 per cent).
Ofsted report card plans
Teacher Tapp also asked teachers their thoughts on draft proposals for Ofsted report card plans, which were reported in full by the Financial Times last month.
More than half of both primary and secondary teachers (60 per cent and 70 per cent) agreed that safeguarding should be inspected in schools.
Other areas respondents thought should be inspected included leadership, which was supported by 49 per cent of primary teachers and 61 per cent of secondary teachers, and behaviour and values, which was supported by 42 per cent of primary respondents and 56 per cent of secondary respondents.
Some 51 per cent of secondary teachers and 38 per cent of primary teachers said that Ofsted should be inspecting teaching in schools.
Ofsted will ‘struggle to design’ system that wins trust
Tes revealed last month that Ofsted could judge teaching and curriculum as separate categories under draft plans shared with sector leaders for its new inspection framework.
Confidence in Ofsted’s ability to reliably inspect these areas was far lower, Teacher Tapp found.
For safeguarding, 47 per cent of secondary teachers believed that Ofsted inspects safeguarding reliably.
For leadership, confidence was even lower - just 26 per cent of secondary teachers had faith in the inspectorate to accurately assess this category.
A Teacher Tapp blog on the findings says: “The results make one thing clear: Ofsted will struggle to design an inspection system that wins teachers’ trust.
“Teachers agree that key areas like safeguarding, leadership and teaching should be inspected - but few believe Ofsted can do so reliably, especially for leadership and teaching.”
Ofsted has been approached for a comment.
For the latest education news and analysis delivered every weekday morning, sign up for the Tes Daily newsletter
