The Black Leadership Initiative is working with Ofsted and the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services to offer aspiring BAME school leaders the opportunity to join Ofsted inspection teams and shadow two school inspections. Participants will be mentored by an HMI during the programme and they will have the opportunity to receive career development and coaching support from the BLI.
How does the programme work?
The aim of the schools inspection programme is to enable more BME staff to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to consider applying to become school inspectors whilst also enhancing their skills and knowledge portfolio when applying for promotion within the sector.
Following a briefing day provided by Ofsted, participants are given the opportunity to visit other schools and gain an insight into the inspection process and the skills and knowledge required by inspectors. They attend a full inspection and receive expert guidance and mentoring from a host inspector. As part of the inspection shadowing, they observe lessons and meetings with staff and students and other stakeholders.
After the visit, shadows reflect on what they have learned from the visit and receive written and verbal feedback from the HMI, helping them to develop their skills. Shadows join a second inspection approximately six weeks later and their skills are reassessed.
Who can apply?
The programme is open to BAME teachers aspiring to headship from primary and secondary schools and who meet the following selection criteria:
- experience of middle or senior management
- substantial experience of teaching
- knowledge of their school’s evaluation
- the ability to demonstrate through their application how participation in the shadowing programme will be beneficial to their leadership development (e.g. promotion to headship or other senior leadership position, or applying to become an additional inspector, should the opportunity arise) and willingness to participate fully in this programme
- support from their Headteacher, confirming the applicant's suitability for the programme (e.g. that they are at a point in their career where they will benefit from participation in the programme, that they are professional in demeanour and can be trusted to respect the confidentiality of the inspection)
- agreement from their Headteacher that they can be released for a briefing day, they can be released so they can attend two two-day inspections, four to six weeks apart and the school is willing to cover release costs (i.e. supply cover) for the training and shadowing experience
How to apply
To apply for the programme, download and complete the application form. Completed application forms should be returned to Karen Lewis - karenl@nbp.org.uk
Previous participants share their experiences of the programme and how it has benefitted them.
"Ofsted shadowing inspection was the most rewarding and valuable CPD experience I have ever had. It was such an amazing experience being on the other side of the fence. The inspectors encouraged my involvement and I really appreciated that. I attended meetings with the inspectors and I was given the choice of which meetings I wanted to attend. I observed some outstanding lessons and was asked for my feedback. Overall I was a member of the inspection team. The inspectors are really friendly. The schools were extremely considerate and made me feel very welcome."
Claudette Bailey-Morrissey, Assistant Headteacher, Brentford School for Girls
"Being part of this programme has been one of the most effective CPD activities I've ever been involved in. I was worried that shadowing would mean standing back, watching and not asking lots of questions but I felt completely involved and included by the inspection team. I can't imagine any other way that you can be part of a school in the way you can as part of an inspection. I was part of a team of committed professionals who lived and breathed school effectiveness and self evaluation. I worked with lots of different inspectors and there was such a lot packed into a short period of time. An incredible amount happens in a day in an inspection. I felt like an integral part of the team, who just didnˇ't have quite as much clout as the others! You were having a snapshot of a world that you had suddenly become a part of there is no other way you could get that."
Kulvarn Atwal, Deputy Headteacher, Uphall Primary School
Further case study videos can be viewed at the links below:
Kulvarn Atwal, Deputy Headteacher, Uphall Primary School
Reema Reid, Co Head of School, Loughborough Federation of Schools
Sherlyn Ramsay, Headteacher, Uphall Primary School
Further information
Selection Criteria
Guidance for Applicants
Career Development & Mentoring Support
For further information about our partners for this programme visit the National College website and Ofsted website.
