http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03tt7lh
And this is the actual recording:Ofsted
Duration: 28 minutes
First broadcast: Thursday 13 February 2014
After a turbulent few weeks for those at the top of the schools' watchdog Ofsted, with headlines about critical reports, and personnel changes, Phil Kemp asks if this public row has distracted from the real struggle going on at Ofsted. The programme investigates why the political right feels that some inspectors have been captured by an outdated progressive approach to teaching. The programme reveals that Ofsted's leaders are rewriting inspection reports, removing phrases that imply criticism of particular teaching styles. The fightback against the educational theories of the progressive left has been dubbed the battle of the Blob. Who is winning?
The programme includes interviews with Michael Cladingbowl, Ofsted's National Director of Schools, Former School's Minister Nick Gibb, Anastasia De Waal, Deputy Director of Civitas and teacher and education blogger Andrew Smith.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/rad ... -2030a.mp3
I have found this to be a very interesting Radio 4 recording - a culmination of the issues surrounding Ofsted reporting - and various aspects of politics running alongside.
It features 'Andrew Old' (influential 'Scenes of the Battleground' blog) and former Schools' Minister, Nick Gibb, and Michael Cladingbowl HMI - the gentleman we have debated with (unsuccessfully) regarding the 'extraneous' phonics practice promoted via Ofsted video footage.
Anyone following the debate on Ofsted reporting, progressive versus direct teaching, enforced academy conversion, and Gove and Wilshaw's recent misunderstanding should try to find half an hour to listen to this podcast!
Interesting to put a voice to 'Andrew Old'!