Inspection of schools selected randomly - Strand B - Quality of Student Learning

Information about ‘Strand A – NESA Annual Priorities’ was published in Official Notice 51/16, 19 December 2016 and Official Notice 14/17, 3 March 2017.

 Also see the NESA website for general information for schools selected randomly for inspection describing the features of this aspect of the NESA inspection program.  

 Strand B – Quality of Student Learning

 A total of 13 schools have been selected randomly in relation to Strand B inspections:

• nine government schools;
• two systemic non-government schools; and
• two individual non-government schools.

 Strand B inspections will commence later in Term 3, 2017 and be completed during Term 4, 2017.

 The Strand B inspections will focus on the quality of student learning as demonstrated through a subset of the registration requirements.

 The particular subset of requirements selected for the 2017 inspections relates to the requirements for:

• curriculum, specifically the key learning area of Mathematics; AND
• teaching staff; OR
• student welfare, specifically student attendance.

 The following provides a general indication of the materials to be provided in relation to each of the identified requirements. Specific details will be provided by the Inspector when notifying a school of the inspection. The required materials are consistent with the relevant Evidence of Compliance sections of each Manual.

 Curriculum

 For one Stage of Mathematics (to be specified by the Inspector):

• an overview showing the school’s scope and sequence for the Stage;
• the school’s associated teaching programs for the Stage for 2017; and
• three student work samples reflecting the day-to-day work of students and a range of achievement for the Stage in 2017. 

AND

Teaching staff

School and/or schooling system materials showing the implementation of school-wide practices for supporting teachers’ professional development as relevant to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

OR

Student welfare with a focus on student attendance

School and/or schooling system materials showing the implementation of strategies to improve and monitor student attendance.

The requirements for curriculum, teaching staff and student welfare, along with all other registration requirements, are described in the relevant Manual for each sector:

• government schools – Registration Process for the NSW Government Schooling System Manual
• individual non-government schools – Registered and Accredited Individual Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual
• systemic non-government schools – Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual .

The Manuals have recently been amended to provide guidance in relation to the requirements most relevant to the quality of student learning – see Official Notice 27/17.

The relevant provisions of the amended Manuals will be the basis of inspections of schools selected randomly in relation to ‘Strand B – Quality of Student Learning’ in Terms 3 and 4, 2017.

The amendments are transitional and will be subject to further consultation with key stakeholders prior to the end of Term 4, 2017. This will allow for any refinements to be published prior to full implementation for all schools on the 2018 school inspection program.

The Manuals specify the materials to be maintained by all schools at all times in relation to the registration requirements.

Process for schools selected randomly for inspection

• Schools are notified by a NESA Inspector at least four days in advance of the inspection.
• For government and systemic non-government schools, the Department or system representatives are also notified. The inspection of schools selected randomly provides NESA with information about the efficacy of the internal assurance processes of the Department or system. 
• In notifying a school, the Inspector will discuss the specific materials to be provided in relation to the selected subset of requirements. The Inspector will confirm this information in an email to the school.
• The inspection process is intended to have minimal impact on schools. The materials to be available for inspection are those that could reasonably be expected to be available in a school on a day-to-day basis.  
• The inspections do not involve classroom interruption or observations of teachers. 

For more information, contact:
Stan Browne
Senior Inspector, School Registration and Accreditation Directorate
stan.browne@nesa.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8156