Ofsted launch their new Parent View website

Today  Ofsted launched their new Parent View website where parents and carers can answer questions about their child's school. The website  states:  
                                         
"Parent View asks for your opinion on 12 aspects of your child’s school, from the quality of teaching, to dealing with bullying and poor behaviour. We will use the information you provide when making decisions about which schools to inspect, and when."

With Ofsted moving towards a “risk-based inspection” model -  meaning that a handful of complaints to this new site will automatically  trigger scrutiny from Ofsted – the pressure to develop and maintain positive and  effective relationships with key adults has never been greater.

http://www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/

Q1 'My child is happy at this school'
Q2 'My child feels safe at this school'
Q3 'My child makes good progress at this school'
Q4 'My child is well looked after at this school'
Q5 'My child is taught well at this school'
Q6 'My child receives appropriate homework for their age'
Q7 'This school makes sure its pupils are well behaved'
Q8 'This school deals effectively with bullying
Q9 'This school is well led and managed'
Q10 'This school responds well to any concerns I raise'
Q11 'I receive valuable information from the school about my child’s progress'
Q12 Would you recommend this school to another parent?
Parents need to register on the website and answer Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree to Q1-11 and yes or No to Question 12

Results will not be published until each school reaches a certain number or percentage.
That number or percentage is unclear.

Poor ratings from this website from a handful of parents could trigger an Ofsted inspection under the new framework even for Outstanding schools.

However Ofsted chair, Baroness Sally Morgan says 'What parents tell us through these questionnaires will be considered when making decisions about when a school should be inspected'

“Whilst parents’ views alone cannot trigger an inspection, they will provide a vital piece of the jigsaw. I hope everyone with an interest in education will welcome this innovation and that parents around the country will use Parent View to make their views count.”

However Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "it's not clear why parents, who may have quite legitimate questions to which they seek answers, would choose the route of a questionnaire to express their concerns, or otherwise, about a school"

"Apart from the obvious question as to what useful purpose the questionnaire will serve, this is a system which is open to abuse.

"Schools could easily be targeted by parents unfairly, or even in anger, which could result in a false impression being given of the school."

For those who have not seen it yet Ofsted will implement their new Ofsted Inspection Framework from January 2012

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/news/shape-of-school-inspection-2012-0

I have just submitted answers for the two schools where my children attend.