To my UK teacher friends...

[EngTeach]

I have read a bit on here that periodically your schools go through a review system (Olfsted?) and how many schools put on the big show and tell for the evaluators. My school (in NYC) is in high gear for its upcoming review on April 15 and 16. Here is the kicker.... The company that reviews all our schools is a British one!!!! While I can certainly see how many issues would be similar, I am sure that our respective systems have some unique issues that perhaps someone from a different country might not fully grasp.

We have been putting up bulletin boards and posters, and having meetings up the wazoo about how to respond to the questions.

Some of us have been heard saying, "The British are coming, the British are coming." Though if the principal heard this she would not be amused.

As other educators on here have written, the whole process is absurd and why do we have to be the reason the sky is falling?

[spudqueen]

Hi EngTeach, I'm not a teacher, just a parent but yes, our schools do have an Ofsted inspection. And like you are doing, they do put on a bit of a show for the inspectors!

I understand your concerns for your upcoming inspection, but even though the company may be British it doesn't follow that all it's inspectors are British. They may well be American. We do have quite a few foreign companies in this country, eg Nissan cars. Nissan is a Japanese company but most of their employees in this country are British not Japanese.

Good luck with the inspection.

[Suzyboo]

Schools here only get a couple of days notice though so you have had loads of time to perfect your 'act'!

[EngTeach]

Thanks for your responses.

Things are heating up and the administrators are driving us nuts. You see, it is their bonuses and jobds on the line not the teachers directly. This review is only one of many pieces that Make up the school's report card grade. I'll be happy when they've come and gone. It is too stressful and I find myself stressing the kids out about it too.

Though on the days they arrive our staff is going to wear all the same color as a show of solidarity. This will drive the principal nuts.

I never thought about the evaluator being American at a British based company. That could be true. Though the last few teams have been from there.

Oh well. Thanks again for responding. I was feeling a bit neglected there for a while. :)

[Lil O'lady]

Best of luck Engteach. We have a technical term for ofsted inspectors, it is 'parasites' but I'm not sure what the American equivalent might be.

[EngTeach]

We lovingly call them "THE PEOPLE". As in The people are coming next Tuesday. or I'll be glad once the people are gone.