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The inspectors are coming - next week?

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Seonag Mackinnon Seonag Mackinnon | 15:18 UK time, Friday, 24 September 2010

You know the potentially daft filming of walking we do sometimes? I had cause to arrange this after interviewing head of the this week about the proposed overhaul of school inspections.

We do this walking as it is one way to provide pictures introducing the next interviewee in your report. But when a camera is on you it can be a challenge for you and your guest to walk in a natural way.

We managed to put one foot in front of the other successfully this day outside the in Glasgow.

That was until Bill mentioned that schools could receive just one week's notice of inspection.

I stopped in my tracks. Surely this would cause ructions? Tell me what you think. But I immediately imagined that some might be outraged or despondent at the thought of so little time to prepare.

However calls to contacts in education suggested the reverse. .

Less chance that the council will draft in painters and decorators as staff clear out cupboards then burn the midnight oil preparing new lessons to extract excellent work from children to put on the wall.

Besides, it's argued, many staff despise this window dressing. They believe an HMIE report would offer a more credible impression of what a school is really like if the preparation period were truncated.

I am told about a notoriously poor English teacher alleged to provide a good living for private tutors in her area. She apparently produced a dazzling array of lesson plans in glossy folders when the inspectors called and received a rave review from inspectors - much to the chagrin of her colleagues.

I am told about a primary head teacher who sent the children's jotters home and asked parents to ensure they were all covered with pretty wrapping paper.

These practices might stop under the new style inspections. But is there still not a risk schools come under too much pressure if notice is just seven days?

As for the proposed end to regular inspections every six to seven years - the end of . Is the prospect of greater intervals unless alarms bells ring because of attainment and achievement records or communications from parents and education staff a good thing. Answers on a postcard please. (Better make it cyberspace communications.)

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