Office for standards in education-for you USA folks. Official inspectors for the Government for the rest of us.(In teaching that is)

If your planning is sound, based on NC programmes of study at the appropriate key stage and level, IEP's, lesson plans and targets all linked, and you;link planning, evaluation, progression and forming the next step for the child. Make sure that learning objectives are clear, and that the outcomes are evaluated-not the lesson it'self-then you should be OK.

Provided that-you stimulate learning in a variety of ways, include every pupil, ensure good behaviour, a learning ethos in the classroom that extends into non teaching contacts with the kids-then you should be ok.

Provided that; your specialism, or curriculum area is; up to date, aware of latest policies, developments and demands,with information disseminated amongst other staff, co-ordinated with long, medium and short term plans, overviews of comparative performance with similar schools in the country, targets linked to improving performance to national levels or better in your own school, then you should be ok.

Provided that you have carried out a curriculum audit, and have a curriculum development plan, and an action plan, details of peer to peer monitoring, sharing good practice then you should be Ok.

Provided that, your planning is evident, presented to the inspectors in the agreed format for the school or department and available for each lesson and or subject. That your records are up to date, each childs work marked, levelled against NC level descriptors and that you have a file with agreed levelling and a record of moderation examples and proceedures, then you should be OK.

Provided that, the classroom is a stimulating environment with good up to date and relavent displays,a balance of work from all pupils, a balance of work from all subjects, photo's, artifacts etc etc. Plus, Special Educational needs and low attainers, high flyers, emotional/behavioural problem pupils have a differentiated curriculum with outcomes linked to your planning and IEp's and targets then you should be Ok.

Provided that you can demonstarte clear home school links, the setting and marking of homework, positive feedback during each lesson, evidence whilst being observed of;children improving own learning, working co-operatively, knowing what is required of them, using key vocabulary, are on task, are drawn back on task, children are motivated, confident and secure, assessing and evaluating their own learning and that you know when to change pace, style or organisiation, then you should be ok.

Providing, lessons start on time, show good pace and finish on time, the pupils celibrate and are rewarded for success then you should be ok.The three part lesson is the in thing, and don't forget the plenary session.Make sure ancillary staff, ETA's etc are well briefed and working from and to your planning. That they are using ALS, ELS, NLS-Num and Lit, Or if KS3 or 4 the latest impacts of science, literacy and numeracy are taken on board. Also make sure that ICT is; used, in your planning and WORKING!, note X curricular links and opportunities for development for pupils who need that extra something

But also remember that ofsted are there to "look for weakness and strengths, and not what is satisfactory".(from official ofsted document for lesson obs

My personal advice is to be yourself, if you change the kids will spot it, so will the inspectors, be yourself with them. It isn't any fun-there is no enjoyment in an inspection, only relief when it's over. Remember that most of the things I've put down are the duty of management and the LEA advisors to ensure that they are taking place, if they are not-then it's your managers fault more than yours because they have a duty to ensure that you do your job, they should support and develop you, give you clear policies and guidelines to work from, clear monitoring and feedback. In truth it often doesn't happen-they soon shift the blame in any direction they can-if they are that type.

Anyone out there think teaching is still fun, and can't understand why people are leaving the profession? Teachers know that hat you will work on average 54 hours a week, DO NOT GET PAID FOR HOLIDAYS! (A big misunderstanding-everyone thinks we do!)but spend a lot of holiday time working on planning etc.

Just think, everyone thinks we start at 09.00, baby sit a few kids, go home at 15.30 and then put our feet up, with mega holidays to sit back and enjoy.

Watch out for lay inspectors-they are often a bit more friendly, but sharp as knives.

If you think this is a waste-I've survived, Numerous internal monitoring/observations, loads of LEA advisor obs, 4 LEA inspections, 3 OFSTEDS, and even the HMI's.So far-touch wood, I've come out glowing without any probelms. If you are still stuck, or don't understand anything pm me-I'll be happy to help, where I can.

Are you KS 1, 2, 3 or 4? Which main subjects.