Inspection: What's In It for Schools?

by James Learmonth

Overview

This text traces the development of different forms of inspection. It draws on a range of sources such as rigorous and informed research and inspection evidence, writing by key figures, teachers' own experiences, newspaper headlines and other comments, whilst remaining jargon-free. This topical book includes summary questions and other signposts for the reader, as well as a fully annotated bibliography. It also pays attention to other types of school self-evaluation.

James Learmouth explores the impact of inspection on schools in difficulties, and outlines the ways in which research and other evidence suggests that schools do improve.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415227858
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/14/2000
Series:	What's in it for schools?
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x (d)

About the Author

James Learmonth has been an HMI, a Chief Inspector in an LEA, and an OFSTED Registered Inspector. He is now Director of the Centre for Education Leadership and School Improvement (CELSI) at Canterbury Christ Church University College, and works on school improvement projects in the UK and internationally.

Table of Contents

List of figures — List of tables — Series Editors' preface Acknowledgements — 1.Introduction — 2.The context of school inspection — 3.How did the inspection process develop? — 4.Does inspection help schools in difficulty? — 5.Does inspection help schools improve? — 6.What kind of inspection system would help raise standards? — 7.Conclusion: what's in it for schools? — References — Appendix — Index.

Editorial Reviews

'So the answer to the question "what's in it for schools?" is supported self-evaluation; a process "at once more rigorous and more constructive than Ofsted" involving all the stakeholders, with teachers as partners rather than targets and school inspectors "affording assistance". Teachers attracted by this model should start reading here.' - Particia Rowan, Times Educational Supplement

'This compact, economically edited book contains an extended list of references, an appendix containing summaries of two substantial reviews of OfSTED's work and the text is enlivened by reproductions of relevant cartoons from the past.' - ACE Bulletin

From the Publisher

The Local Education Authority (or LEA), with whom Learmonth is an inspector, in combination with national inspectors, are seen as providing an important service to British secondary schools. Learmonth provides a short history of the British school inspection system then describes the current system and the theory that's behind it, offering suggestions on how it might be improved, in part through linking it more closely to school self evaluations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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