Manager, moderator, motivator or what? Does ensuring consistency of reporting fall within the role of the managing inspector in initial teacher training Ofsted inspections?

Abstract

Government inspection of initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England is frequent, relentless and high‐stakes. How confident should providers be about the consistency of judgements made through inspection? This article researches outcomes of the 1999–2002 round of inspections of secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses. It focuses on the role of the Managing Inspector in effecting consistency of judgement and reporting in reports of four Higher Education Institution (HEI)‐based providers. These providers all offered at least six secondary PGCE courses and were awarded the maximum possible grades in at least four subjects. The reports from these providers are analysed for different aspects of consistency. They are also analysed, for one of the inspected cells, against the detailed, published criteria for the inspection of that cell. Several important inconsistencies are highlighted and discussed in terms of the actual and potential role of the Managing Inspector as the final moderator of consistency.