An Ofsted report has condemned consultants for selling “snake oil” to schools who are preparing for a new inspection regime and urged head teachers not to “spend a single penny” on their services.
It accused the advisers of “whipping up fear” about the framework, which is due to be rolled out from September and claimed that heads had been provided with all the necessary information.
The new framework is a radical departure from the existing system. Schools will be judged more on the breadth of their curriculum and quality of teaching and learning than their exam results, which hold sway at present.
According to the report some consultants are offering half-day and full-day workshops with bespoke advice on how schools can best show off their curriculum and depth of learning, with costs ranging from £105 to £650.
The offers come as schools are so strapped for cash that they are asking parents to pay for basics, such as toilet rolls and glue sticks, and even teachers’ salaries. Head teachers are desperate to maximise their chances of being judged good or outstanding.
One consultancy, Focus Education, offers to host workshops at the school for £800, though heads are encouraged to reduce the cost by inviting neighbouring officials to split the bill.
Osiris Educational is offering training to “get your curriculum in shape”, charging about £300 a head.
Even lobbying firms are getting in on the act. Westminster Insight held a full day conference in spring on the framework, charging up to £650 a head.
Ofsted said that this sort of paid-for advice was unnecessary. Sean Harford, the Ofsted national director for education, said that there were too many “so-called consultants” whipping up fear about the framework.
Heads and senior teachers defended hiring consultants, however. Stephen Rollett, a former assistant head and inspection specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders union, said that it was understandable that some schools would use consultants, given how different the framework was.
