Tomlinson: Parent power

School standards watchdog Ofsted is planning a revamp of the inspection process which could see parents and pupils given more of a say in the way schools are examined.

Ofsted boss Mike Tomlinson has launched a consultation exercise on proposals aimed at encouraging more involvement by pupils and parents in schools and sharpening the focus of inspections as well as reducing their burden on schools.

The consultation process will seek views on 16 specific proposals contained in the "Improving inspection, improving schools" document on future arrangements for school inspections in England after 2003.

The plans include allowing schools to select one issue for inspection, increasing flexibility in inspections, better communications with parents, recruiting more serving heads and teachers to the inspection teams, improving feedback to individual teachers and working with Department for Education and Skills to reduce the bureaucracy associated with inspections.

The reforms would see the system of short inspections become the norm. In secondary schools one of the three models being suggested would see a basic inspection supplemented with further elements reflecting the situation in individual schools. Schools would be invited to nominate one area, linked to their improvement plan, for inspection.

Parents and pupils could also become more involved in the inspection process. A pilot questionnaire before inspections take place is proposed to learn the views of pupils aged 11 to 16. At present inspectors can talk informally to children while they carry out their checks in schools.

Ofsted is also suggesting that schools could be encouraged to hold meetings with parents after an inspection to talk about the results.

The watchdog says that parents could have a greater role in calling for inspections to be carried out. The inspectorate said it would not offer "inspections on demand" but that it would "respond openly to all requests for inspection".

Ofsted argues that its plans would make inspections more responsive to the circumstances of individual schools, more supportive of schools and would generate more information on the views of pupils, parents and the local community.

Setting out the proposals, Tomlinson said the improved flow of information on the performance of schools meant inspections could become more finely-tuned.

"By 2003 value-added data will be more systematically available. I believe all this gives us the opportunity to match the work of inspectors more precisely to individual schools and to national priorities.

"This should increase the impact and the cost-effectiveness of inspections and make them even more supportive of school improvement, while losing none of the rigour and objectivity associated with Ofsted inspections," said Tomlinson.

Teachers' representatives have welcomed the plans as a step forward from the current system.

David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers said: "The proposed new inspection system potentially heralds a much more sensible approach than the current model. The involvement of the entire school community is clearly a major step in the right direction, provided it involves a totally open process."

"Under no circumstances must it become a licence for uninformed private criticism, otherwise it will be no more than a "whingers charter". If heads and their staffs feel that the new system is no better than a "kangaroo court" it will be fatally flawed from day one," he added.

The moves to reform the way inspections are carried out continues the process Tomlinson has begun of repairing relations with teachers following his replacement of Chris Woodhead as chief inspector of schools in England.

The proposals will be sent to all schools in England and also distributed to organisations representing teachers, parents, governors and other educational interests. They can also be accessed through Ofsted's website.